Our researchers

Canada research chair in intelligent medical devices

Professor Sawan's research work pertains to the development of intelligent miniaturized medical devices, from the design to the clinical trial stage.

The bionic future of medical treatment

Early in 2000, Professor Mohamad Sawan made headlines with what could be called his ''bionic vision''. He had invented an eye implant to enable completely blind people to gain or regain some sight. A leader in the development of intelligent medical devices, his research helps to alleviate the adverse effects of blindness, urological dysfuncion, paralysis, deafness and other problems.

The invention that has brought his work to the public's attention is a visual cortex stimulator that operates using a tiny camera. The device is installed on a pair of glasses and transmits images to a controller in the wearer's pocket. A device in the controller then transmits radio signals to a microstimulator implanted in the visual cortex of the brain, thus enabling a blind person to make out shapes.

Professor Sawan will use the Research Chair to study all the processes involved in creating intelligent medical devices, from the design to the clinical trial stage. Creating tools of this type requires ongoing co-operation between experts in a number of fields, and Professor Sawan will now be in a position to work in co-operation with at least eight world-renowned medical research institutes and centres.

The research team will work on building multi-function prostheses. For example, while continuing their work on sight enhancement devices, the researchers will seek to develop devices for regaining hearing, urinary function, and movement in paralysed arms. They will also create wireless control instruments for monitoring cardio-pulmonary functions and for regulating miniature cardiac pumps. Professor Sawan will also be contributing to the development of non-invasive knee, hip and heart surgery: he will be working with others on a video microprobe for near-real-time, three-dimensional reconstruction of anatomical structures that the surgeon normally would not be able to see.

The intelligent medical device industry is growing rapidly and, with our aging population, its applications will become more and more important.

Mohamad Sawan, Full professor
Department of Electrical Engineering
(514) 340-4711 poste 5943
mohamad.sawan@polymtl.ca