Halifax Biomedical To Participate in Horizon Health Network Lower Back Study

Horizon Health Network, the largest healthcare organization in Atlantic Canada, has announced the undertaking of a research study involving spine instability measurement technology developed by Halifax Biomedical Inc. (HBI).

“At present, in some patients, there is a gap between patient symptoms and true abnormalities which can be identified with routine testing techniques including x-ray and MRI. HBI technology is unique and may succeed in providing information towards bridging this gap. This research partnership between HBI and our team will work to identify patient benefit,” said Dr. Neil Manson, Principal Investigator of the study.

Halifax Biomedical’s micro-instability assessment technology focuses on detection of implant loosening for total hip and knee replacements and quantification of instability in the spinal column in patients with chronic lower back pain.

“Pain caused by diseases of the low back pose an enormous economic burden on society in general and the healthcare system in particular. Moreover, it is a complex clinical entity to both diagnose and treat.” says Erik Giphart, Chief Technology Officer for HBI. “Our stereo-radiography technology provides new and accurate three-dimensional motion data of the spine unavailable to date. We believe our measurements have the potential to become the new standard of care in the future.”

Horizon Health Network operates 12 hospitals and over 100 medical facilities, clinics and medical service offices in Atlantic Canada. The network includes approximately 12,600 employees, 1,000 physicians, operating under a budget in excess of $1 billion.

The announcement of the study comes a month after Halifax Biomedical reached a deal with Australia’s Signature Orthopaedics to sell its products Down Under.