London doctor’s firm wins $100K U.S. Army prize, with eyes on outer space next

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A London company’s medical technology may be used on a future battlefield, or even in space, after it recently won attention from the U.S Army and SpaceX.

Deep Breathe, which brings AI technology to ultrasound so it can be used to diagnose lung issues, recently beat 150 other technology businesses in a U.S. army-sponsored competition.

It is also now in talks with SpaceX, the spacecraft manufacturer and launch provider, and will soon test its technology in zero-gravity conditions, said Rob Arntfield, Deep Breathe chief executive and founder.

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“By winning this competition, we’ve entered the ecosystem of the U.S. army. Defence is well funded in the U.S., but it’s complex with long timelines,” he said.

“It comes with a cash prize of US$100,000, but the real prize is the relationship with the U.S. Army. It may open procurement options, research and development to meet the unique demands of the military.”

But the technology will need to be tested in rigorous military environments such as high altitudes and various temperatures to ensure AI functions in “fantastical environments,” Arntfield said.

“The possibilities are quite broad.”

One of those environments includes zero gravity and space. Earlier this year, Arntfield reached out to SpaceX to gauge interest and received a speedy reply. Next month, the technology will be tested in zero-gravity conditions on a parabolic flight, a first for Arntfield.

“We’ve been made a research firm. We have a relationship with them,” he said of SpaceX.

But the two recent developments underscore the potential of the technology and Deep Breathe, with nine staff now, has hired engineers and data scientists.   

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“I’m very excited about what’s going on. We’re now in this arena and there are massive hurdles to overcome,” Arntfield said.

Arntfield will attend a U.S. military conference in Washington next month where he will showcase the technology and its capabilities. At the same time, the firm also will need to expand its funding and will begin looking to U.S. investors. Last year, it received a seven-figure investment.

Founded in 2021, Deep Breathe is located in the Western Research Park on Collip Circle, with offices in Toronto and Vancouver. It offers lung ultrasound technology that can be used by health-care providers at the bedside to diagnose various lung issues. By adding artificial intelligence, algorithms can better analyze and interpret ultrasound images, he said.

Now, lung imaging is dominated by costly, cumbersome X-ray technology and Deep Breathe can streamline the process. Lung X-rays are the most widely ordered testing in hospitals and ultrasound can do the job better, Arntfield believes.

Arntfield also is an intensive care physician and medical director at the critical-care trauma centre at London Health Sciences Centre.

As for its win, Deep Breathe placed first in the 2024 xTech International competition, hosted by the U.S. Army. The competition invited companies from around the world to showcase their technology for possible military application.

The finals were held last month in Madrid, Spain, where Deep Breathe was named the winner among 12 finalists by a panel of military technology experts.

ndebono@postmedia.com

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