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Dr. Sutherland, Garnette
Professor of Neurosurgery |
Dr. Sutherland graduated in Science and Medicine from the University of Manitoba and trained in Neurosurgery at the University of Western Ontario with the legendary Charles Drake. In 1993, Dr. Sutherland moved from Winnipeg to become Professor and Head of the Division of Neurosurgery at the University of Calgary, a responsibility he fulfilled until 2003. Dr. Sutherland, in collaboration with the NRC Institute for Biodiagnostics, developed an intraoperative MRI (iMRI) system based on a moveable 1.5 Tesla magnet. The technology was later translated into a high-tech Canadian company, IMRIS, based in Winnipeg. IMRIS has 19 national and international sites, employs over 100 people and has grown into a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). In Calgary, the iMRI system has been used to improve neurosurgery in over 1000 patients. In 2004 the innovative nature of the iMRI project received the prestigious Manning Award of Distinction. To take full advantage of the iMRI environment, Dr. Sutherland in collaboration with MDA developed neuroArm, an image-guided, MR compatible robotic system specifically designed for microsurgery and stereotaxy. In 2007, Dr Sutherland received the Alberta Science and Technology Award (ASTech Award) in recognition of the leadership role he had in developing NeuroArm. Dr. Sutherland has stimulated a number of collaborations and has attracted over $50M in peer-reviewed funding to the University of Calgary. |
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Mr. Greer, Alex
Robotics Engineer |
Alexander D. Greer was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Greer earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering, both from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. His research was focused on numerical modeling and impact biomechanics. As a research assistant at the University of Waterloo, he began work in finite element modeling by using numerical methods to predict trauma subject to landmine blasts, and to develop better protection. Following on this research, he created a human torso model for the prediction of blast trauma to the lungs and to improve personal protective equipment. He now works as a robotics engineer for the University of Calgary at the Seaman Family MR Research Centre in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He is involved with several engineering and technology related roles within the neuroArm project. He interfaces with industrial partners to ensure successful integration of robotics with surgery and facilitates testing for technology application in the operating theatre. Mr. Greer has published in the area of medical robotics, with such papers as "An image-guided MR compatible surgical robot" in Neurosurgery and "Integration of neuroArm with intraoperative MRI" in IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology. |
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Mr. Larsson, James
Simulation Engineer |
Mr. Larsson is an electrical engineer. He worked in the telecommunications industry for several years on several electrical engineering projects. Previously he worked in design and manufacture of a custom embedded Linux based GPS device(s) in a hardware/software/firmware capacity. He worked on implementing various communications protocols over FPGAs. Now he works in here in robotics.
Mad props to Tesla Motors. Nice engineering guys! -James |
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Mr. Yang, Fang Wei
Robotic Technician |
Fang Wei trained in China as a surgeon. He relocated to Canada in 1989 and began working with Dr. Sutherland as a research assistant in Winnipeg, MB. He used small animal models of both global and focal brain ischemia to elucidate mechanisms and treatments of stroke. Fang Wei then moved to Calgary and helped Dr. Sutherland established his research lab. His well-above-average microsurgical skills were instrumental in helping neurosurgical residents practice their microsurgical technique. He was recently recruited as the robotic technician on the neuroArm Project, being responsible for robot set up and all preclinical studies. |
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Ms. Leblanc, Pamela
Charge Nurse Intraoperative MRI |
Looking back it’s hard to believe that I have been an OR nurse for 20 years. I fell in love with Neurosurgery early on in my career and have devoted the last 10 years to the Intraoperative MRI suite at Foothills. Technology is always changing in the OR, but the last thing I thought OR nursing would include would be performing surgery around a high field magnet, working alongside highly gifted surgeons, scientists, engineers, computer specialists and a robot! I have felt both challenged and greatly fulfilled by the work we are doing and the overall contributions that our team has made in providing high quality patient care while using highly innovative modalities to improve surgical outcomes. |
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Ms. Blenkin, Nicole
Administrative Assistant nicole.blenkin@neuroarm.org |
Nicole was born in Grande Prairie, Alberta and earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Calgary in 2007. She joined the team in March of 2007 and fills a number of administrative roles with the project. |
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| Contact Webmaster: webmaster@neuroarm.org | Last Updated: Feb. 19 2010 |