Hand-held brain scanner shows promise, researchers say

Researchers in Kingston, Ont., are testing a hand-held devicethat can let them peer into a patient'sbrainwitha simple swipe, potentially making it easierto detect internal bleeding before it becomes life-threatening.

Dr. D.J. Cook, a neurosurgeon and professor at Queen's University, is teaming up with local hospitals and medical device manufacturer ArcheOptix on the new hockey puck-sized device.

The device emits a special type of light that penetrates the skull and reflects back to a sensor, makingan image on a screen on the back of the device in real time.

Cook said currently brainbleeds are detected using CT scanners, which arecostly and typicallyonly available in larger hospitals.

"When you are in a remote area or an underpopulated area, you may be going to a hospital where this technology is not available,"he said onCBC'sAll In A Day.

The researchers are currently conducting two studies with the device.

One is spreading the devices out to clinics and smaller hospitals in the region to track elderly patients who need follow-up care after operations.

Cook said this study could allow future patients to avoid lengthy trips back to hospitals.

"Patients who live in rural areasare driving two, three, four hours," he said.

The other study focuses on patients who have been diagnosed with dementia.

In some cases, people with brain bleeds can present with the same symptoms as someone with dementia, butif the bleed is dealt with the dementia symptoms can disappear.

Cheaper solution

Cook said the new device doesn'thave a price yet,butwill be drastically cheaper than CT scanners.

He said one day they could be everywhere defibrillators are today.

"It will be affordable to have one of these in every clinic, every emergency room and even places like hockey rinks."