Revolutionising Stroke Diagnosis: Scott Kirkland on EMVision's Portable Brain Scanner

12/12/24 • 39 min

In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Scott Kirkland, CEO and Managing Director of EMVision Medical Devices.

EMVision (ASX:EMV) is an ASX listed, Australian med tech company focused on developing portable brain imaging devices using electromagnetic (EM) technology. It was spun out of University of Queensland in 2017 and had its IPO in late-2018.

EMVision’s primary product is a portable scanner designed to quickly and non-invasively detect and monitor neurological conditions like stroke.

Unlike traditional imaging methods such as CT or MRI, EMVision’s technology allows for bedside or on-the-go imaging, which can be particularly useful in emergency settings or in rural and remote locations to improve healthcare access.

Scott has a wealth of experience in the emerging tech both here and overseas, having previously been Head of Client Sales at Quantcast, a US-based technology company. He is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

In this episode you will hear about:

How EMVision is using ultra high frequency radio signals to differentiate stroke types, with the aim of speeding up diagnosis and treatment particularly within the first hour post-onset of a stroke
Findings from the 300-patient trial* conducted in Australia, and the company’s plans for a pivotal US trial
Learnings from EMVision’s capital raising, which led to a AUD$15M investment from Keysight Technologies
The importance for startups to build strategic relationships early on and to utilise finite resources efficiently
Scott’s advice for budding entrepreneurs and those seeking mentorship.

Learn more about Scott Kirkland and EMVision Medical Devices.
*EMVision released EMView study data subsequent to this recording, see ASX release ‘Algorithms deliver excellent results in EMView study’ 12th Nov.

Updated version 05/08/22

In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Scott Kirkland, CEO and Managing Director of EMVision Medical Devices.

EMVision’s primary product is a portable scanner designed to quickly and non-invasively detect and monitor neurological conditions like stroke.

In this episode you will hear about:

How EMVision is using ultra high frequency radio signals to differentiate stroke types, with the aim of speeding up diagnosis and treatment particularly within the first hour post-onset of a stroke
Findings from the 300-patient trial* conducted in Australia, and the company’s plans for a pivotal US trial
Learnings from EMVision’s capital raising, which led to a AUD$15M investment from Keysight Technologies
The importance for startups to build strategic relationships early on and to utilise finite resources efficiently
Scott’s advice for budding entrepreneurs and those seeking mentorship.

Updated version 05/08/22

Previous Episode

Beyond Opioids: Justin Zenanko’s Vision for Spinal Fusion and Chronic Pain Relief

In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Justin Zenanko, co-founder, CEO and president of SynerFuseTM, a medical device company based in the United States developing an innovative solution to reduce chronic back pain and improve patient quality of life.
Justin and his team have patented the SynerFuse e-TLIFTM procedure which aims to make traditional spine implant surgery more successful and cost effective by combining neuromodulation at the time surgeons are performing fusion back surgery. SynerFuse has completed a proof-of-concept study of 15 patients and they're coming up to a 12-month review of post-surgery results in October.

A certified public accountant, Justin has experience in corporate finance, entrepreneurship and startup development. He has previously led fundraising efforts resulting in $68 million of investment, including $34 million in angel funding and 34 million in Series A funding from a strategic investor.

In this episode you will hear about:

The global need to address opioid dependency by developing innovative drug-free treatments for chronic pain
How SynerFuse’s e-TLIF technology stimulates the dorsal root ganglion as part of spinal fusion surgery – a world-first approach
How Justin and his co-founders overcame skepticism from specialists and the challenges of the COVID pandemic to get FDA approval on a feasibility study
Why Justin has invested his own money into SynerFuse and his advice to other unconventional entrepreneurs.

Learn more about SynerFuse and the e-TLIF procedure.

Updated version 05/08/22

Next Episode

Insights on Commercialisation, Spinouts, and Entrepreneurship with Dr Alastair Hick

In this episode of Med Tech Talks, Robert Klupacs is joined by Dr Alastair Hick, Chief Commercialisation Officer at Monash University.

With a PhD in Chemical Ecology and an MBA from the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge, Alastair has a wealth of experience both in Australian and overseas markets and brings an ecosystem approach to commercialisation and innovation.

At Monash University, Alastair has been responsible has developed a successful IP commercialisation program and an also oversees The Generator, a hub that develops the entrepreneurial talent of Monash’s students, staff, and alumni.

Alastair has recently established a $15 million Monash/Breakthrough Victoria Pre-Seed fund and is chair of its investment committee. He was also a founding director of the $30 million Trans-Tasman Commercialisation Fund; is a director of Monash University spinouts Jupiter Ionics, Phrenix Therapeutics, Myostellar and Flex Immunotherapeutics; as well as an early-stage investor Uniseed and therapeutics development company BioCurate.

In this episode, you will learn from Alastair about: