Robotic device helps with bed transfer of patients

TORONTO – Able Innovations, a robotic medical device start-up, has raised US $6 million to further develop its ALTA Platform. which automates the task of patient transfer: moving a patient from one surface to another – for example, from bed to stretcher. Such transfers occur frequently and often require two or more staff to exert themselves.

In a post-pandemic system that is seeing nurses burn out and facilities short-staffed, ALTA enables workers to do more with less.

Able Innovations’ founders Jayiesh Singh (pictured on right) and Philip Chang (pictured on left) began developing ALTA in 2018, drawing from Jay’s experience volunteering in long-term care, and Philip’s struggles with transfer as a patient himself.

“The intense effort required in patient transfer under the current standard of care is not sustainable,” said Able CEO Jayiesh Singh. “The pandemic has widened cracks in the healthcare system, and patient transfer is one of them.”

Able’s unique solution has resulted in partnerships with leading Canadian and American systems including the U.S. Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Toronto’s University Health Network (UHN), and Ottawa’s Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital.

“Able is redefining values related to patient transfers,” said Dr. Gaurav Puri, chief of emergency at Southlake Regional Hospital. “Able has demonstrated its commitment to a device that transfers patients safely, efficiently, and with dignity, while minimizing injuries to staff.”

Able Innovations gratefully acknowledges support of crucial investors and funders including:

• Champion physicians Dr. Gaurav Puri and Dr. Andrew Vellathottam
• NorthSpring Capital Partners
• University of Waterloo’s incubator, Velocity, and its Health Tech Fund
• Ontario Centre of Innovation’s Market Readiness Fund
• Federal and provincial government grants

About Able Innovations
Able Innovations is solving the painful and labor-intensive process of patient transfers through technology that enables effortless, hands-free, safe and dignified transfers. The ALTA Platform can transfer supine individuals laterally, from bed to stretcher or imaging table, seamlessly and automatically. For more information, visit ableinnovations.com/