Grand Challenges Canada, an initiative of the Canadian government that “is dedicated to supporting Bold Ideas with Big Impact,” recently awarded support grants to six projects meant to enhance global health. Among the recipients is a sterile cover developed by the Vancouver company Arbutus Medical, which has connections to the University of British Columbia.
The product, called DrillCover Hex, is meant to allow hospitals with drastically limited resources to use a run-of-the-mill drill from the hardware store in place of a expensive orthodpedic drill, which can cost tens of thouands of dollars. The cover was successfully tested in clinical trials in East Africa. In a release, Grand Challenges Canada indicates Arbutus will use the investment to fund full-scale product launches in East Africa and India. Arbutus is also expected to direct some of the funds toward the development of an inexpensive surgical saw system.
A video about the drill cover can be viewed below.