Technologies: Embedded firmware dev, digital and analog electronics, PCB design, system architecture, sensing, mechatronics and control. Python/C for software development and data analysis. Medical imaging and applied physics, image processing/reconstruction, experience with RF design, experience with FDA certification process (Designs currently in FDA approved devices). Full home-lab and the skills to make your product a reality.
Very interesting path and hit the nail on the head: It really comes down to networking and lead development to consistently find jobs (especially the ones that you want to take!).
I have recently relocated to the GTA and pretty new to working on my own as I still only have one customer which I work for remotely. Now, the space I'm in is adjacent and overlapping to the typical coder-for-hire as I am more in the hardware/embedded/product end of things for the medical device industry (At least so far). However, all of these systems need code and infra to support them so I've gotten pretty apt with that. I'm looking to maybe go after IOT, Edge computing, product development. All of this aside, I've found that networking with other freelancers who are in complimentary spheres can be great since I've passed on a few jobs to colleges and vice versa. I don't really have a basis on the TO tech scene to know where to start.
With everything opening up post lock-down maybe we should grab coffee (or hot beverage of choice)!
Exactly. While the linked proposal isn’t very heavy on details it does include what appears to be a pretty open stance on protecting Canadian internet users rights and freedoms.
Good paper, but it focuses on cancer applications but it would be a disservice to not point out the strides that HIFU is making in drug delivery[1], neurosurgery, and neuromodulation[3].
The (un)fortunate point of MRI thermometry is that is not only very effective at reading temperatures, but it can also produce thermal dosage maps that help in characterizing tissue leisioning (the exact response of HIFU ablated tissue is still be debated). On top of that you also get traditional MRI imaging essentially for free.
There is work being done in the area but the interesting part is that the MRI isn't only used for its direct imaging but also the ability to use it as a very expensive thermometer[1].
Not every procedure lends well to alternative imaging modality (Brain surgery is one) but ultrasound guided FUS is really where there is potential to increase adoption.
It seems that 29 centers in the US do this type of FUS treatment commercially as listed on the FUSF website.
Any focused ultrasound tech has potential to gain wide acceptance but it is mostly the imaging component (MRI guided in most cases) that hold it back due to costs and availability.
In the case of patients with dense breasts, which in the article undergo MRI, an argument can be made for PET in both availability and cost now that these patients are in MRI territory. Also, organ-specific PET is working on the resolution problem but I'd agree that if you were to put a patient into a run of the mill PET scanner there wouldn't be much clinical usefulness.