Space tech deployed in Montreal to improve care

POINTE-CLAIRE, QC – The CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal is proud to announce the launch of its Telehealth Station, an innovative project located at the CLSC de Pierrefonds. Inspired by space medicine initiatives by the Canadian Space Agency, the project helps users take charge of their health using some high-tech tools.

The Telehealth Station is a room equipped with state-of-the-art devices with which users can check various vital signs, such as their blood pressure, pulse, and blood oxygen level. The data is transmitted to a nurse in real time. Users can quickly get an appointment with a physician if needed.

The Canadian Space Agency invited Canadian organizations to design technologies to help astronauts monitor their health more autonomously while they are in space. It is in this context that Baüne, a company with roots in both Québec and Alberta, developed its online health solutions. These technologies have now been adapted for terrestrial use, bringing a new approach to healthcare and making tools available to the community.

The Baüne Autonomous Care Unit represents a major leap forward in medical diagnostics. Here’s how it works:

• Patients walk into a small room wearing a smart device. (In some cases, patients will be wearing a Baüne Smart wearable device, which keeps track of appointments and allows for their ongoing vitals to be uploaded to the Baüne platform).
• Depending on the integrated medical devices on-site, the platform checks up to 40 different health indicators within minutes.
• It instantly reviews patients’ vital signs (including a Risk score on the behavioural, vital sign and mental health of the patient).
• It connects patients with a virtual doctor if anything looks off (in the case of the pilot, patients will be assisted by an on-site medical practitioner).
• Patients walk out in just a few minutes if there are no concerns. (Health data is stored in a secured private health record).

“We are proud to launch this Telehealth Station, a pilot project that marks a turning point in the improving care for orphan clienteles. The project represents a new way of thinking about healthcare, that is more adapted to our users’ needs. Our goal is to extend this initiative and implement it at other sites so that all of our users can benefit from it,” Dan Gabay, president and CEO of the CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal.

• C2M2s are equipped with an AI-powered computer system that integrates and connects different medical technologies to detect, diagnose, treat, and monitor certain health conditions.
• Launched in 2022, the CSA’s C2M2 initiative funded five Canadian companies, including Baüne, approximately $2 million each to develop a first round of medical solutions for autonomous care.
• In September 2024, four Canadian companies – Baüne, CardioComm Solutions, Lunar Medical and ResusMind – were awarded approximately $150,000 each to design the next generation of C2M2s.
• Three of them – Baüne, Lunar Medical and ResusMind – will now receive additional funding of approximately $650,000 each to build a prototype of their solution.

“Space investments drive innovation, create high-quality jobs and fuel economic growth. Canada is more committed than ever to supporting its thriving space sector by helping our companies scale up and push the limits of innovation, just like Baüne did with its healthcare solution. This will not only allow Canada to seize important economic opportunities as a key player in the global space industry, but also help change lives here on Earth with impressive technologies,” said François-Philippe Champagne, minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

For the first phase of this project, the CIUSSS is targeting users with specific illnesses who are waiting to be assigned a family physician.

About CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal
The CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal comprises the former West Island Health and Social Services Centre, the Dorval-Lachine-LaSalle Health and Social Services Centre, St. Mary’s Hospital Centre, the Douglas Mental Health University Institute, the West Island Rehabilitation Centre, the Grace Dart Extended Care Centre, Batshaw Youth and Family Centres, and Ste. Anne’s Hospital.