Deep Breathe is one of about a dozen London and area industries to get funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, each getting a share of $240,000 to use on innovation,

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A London company developing technology that uses ultrasound to detect lung issues is now looking to use that same technology to detect internal bleeding, said Rob Arntfield, Deep Breathe chief executive and founder.

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Deep Breathe is one of about a dozen London and area industries to get funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, each getting a share of $240,000 to use on innovation, the agency announced. For Deep Breathe and its work using artificial intelligence, that means research into new business opportunities.  

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“We’re delighted the federal government is seeing the potential of the transformative power of AI,” Arntfield said. “There are big things happening here in London. This money can make a real difference.”

Research into studying the detection of internal bleeding using ultrasound is not part of Deep Breathe’s operational budget, but the $20,000 it will receive allows for “a new area” to be funded, he added.

FedDev delivered the money from its i.d.e.a. Fund through a partnership with TechAlliance, representing the technology industry in London.

The companies are: Carboform, Digits Rehab, Evelyn’s Sausage Kitchen, Everything Recycling, HaDa MedTech, Krop Farming Technologies Ltd., LimeSoft, Re:Pair Genomics,  SomaDetect, Xatoms and Zacstar.

 “The i.d.e.a. Fund is an opportunity for TechAlliance to continue to activate our deep commitment to equity and sustainability in Southwestern Ontario,” said Christina Fox, TechAlliance chief executive. 

The FedDev fund focuses on supporting green initiatives in industry that reduce impact on the environment and climate change.

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“Our government is making investments in clean growth firms so they can unlock their full potential. TechAlliance is helping to deliver the i.d.e.a. Fund in London and the surrounding region,” said Peter Fragiskatos, MP for London North Centre.

“This will help create jobs, strengthen our local economy and support a resilient Southwestern Ontario.”

The i.d.e.a. Fund is being delivered by six Regional Innovation Centres (RICs) that work with technology industries: Boundless Accelerator, Innovate Niagara, Innovation Factory, Launch Lab, TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario, and WEtech Alliance. 

As for Deep Breathe, it brings AI technology to ultrasound so it can be used to diagnose lung issues. It recently beat 150 other technology businesses in a U.S. Army-sponsored competition, the 2024 xTech International. The competition invited companies from around the world to showcase their technology for possible military application, and Deep Breathe finished first.

It is also now in talks with SpaceX, the spacecraft manufacturer and launch provider, and will soon test its technology in zero-gravity conditions.

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

ndebono@postmedia.com

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