Medfield Diagnostics has partnered with Swedish researchers to develop a new device that aims to enable paramedics to diagnose strokes on ambulances.
The Strokefinder is a helmet-shaped instrument that transmits weak microwave signals into the brain to diagnose whether a patient has suffered a bleeding or clot-induced stroke.
It works using array of transmitting and receiving antennae integrated into a headrest, which connects to a monitor. Strokefinder software is able to analyze microwave signals in the brain, and compare them with stored signals to distinguish between ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes.
The device is currently being tested in Sweden. Medfield Diagnostics plans to release a commercial model in Europe in 2014.