L-R: Vascular Surgery Project Coordinator Javier Garay, Vascular Surgeon Dr. Charles de Mestral, Chiropodist Sreenath Rave, Vascular Surgeon Dr. Elisa Greco and Vascular Surgery Clinic RN Kirk Young.
By: Marlene Leung, Senior Communications Advisor at Unity Health Toronto
Unity Health Toronto Receives Funding for Advanced Wound Assessment Device
Unity Health Toronto at St. Michael’s Hospital has received a significant grant to implement the MIMOSA Pro device, which aims to improve the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers and reduce the risk of limb amputation. This innovative solution wasDeveloped at St. Michael’s Hospital’s Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science.
A Team Effort Involves Multiple Stakeholders
The project is a collaboration led by Vascular Surgeon Dr. Charles de Mestral, Senior Clinical Program Director Desa Hobbs, and DETOHT Executive Director Nancy Lin. The team secured funding from Ontario Health and Boehringer Ingelheim Canada through their Digital Health Care Transformation program.
How the MIMOSA Pro Device Works
The handheld MIMOSA Pro device uses visible, infrared, and near-infrared light to gather detailed information about foot ulcers at the point-of-care. It measures tissue oxygen levels, temperature, and wound size while also capturing digital images. This data helps clinicians assess wounds more accurately than traditional methods.
According to Dr. Charles de Mestral, “The MIMOSA Pro is akin to a wound scanner that offers insights beyond human visibility. It’s a digital health innovation that enhances our wound assessment and monitoring processes.”
From Research to Clinical Practice
The MIMOSA Pro device started as a research project based at St. Michael’s Hospital. Developed by Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Dr. Karen Cross and General Engineer Dr. Leung, the device underwent rigorous testing and was approved for clinical use in both Canada and the United States. In 2020, Dr. Cross secured funding through a medical competition to advance the project.
“It’s remarkable how the MIMOSA Pro has returned to St. Michael’s, where it started, now ready to support patient care,” Cross noted. “Dr. de Mestral and Dr. Greco played pivotal roles in its development.”
Dr. Elisa Greco echoed this sentiment, saying, “Witnessing the MIMOSA Pro transition from initial research to clinical practice embodies the ideal ‘bench-to-bedside’ collaboration. Dr. Karen Cross conducted the foundational research, while I provided clinical validation.”
The Impact on Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Diabetic foot ulcers, stemming from nerve damage and circulatory issues in diabetic patients, demand intensive and often complex treatment regimens. Traditional wound assessments are time-consuming and sometimes lack the precision to identify subtle changes that affect treatment outcomes.
“The MIMOSA Pro has the potential to significantly expedite this process,” explained Dr. de Mestral. “It provides clinicians with a more accurate picture of a patient’s condition, recommending more effective treatments and ultimately preventing leg amputations.”
Future Prospects
The integration of MIMOSA Pro into clinical workflows promises to revolutionize the management of diabetic foot ulcers. Its ability to quickly assess various wound parameters can help healthcare providers make timely and informed decisions, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
This technology exemplifies how medical research and innovation can be translated into practical solutions that enhance patient care. As the MIMOSA Pro becomes more widely adopted, it holds the potential to transform patient outcomes on a broader scale.
Conclusion
The MIMOSA Pro represents a significant step forward in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, offering healthcare providers advanced tools to manage these complex conditions more effectively. The journey from research concept to clinical tool underscores the importance of collaboration between healthcare professionals and technological innovation.
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