RICHMOND, BC, March 22 /CNW/ - MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (TSX: MDA), a provider of essential information solutions, announced today that it has signed a contract for $4.7 million (CAD) with The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, to collaborate on the design and development of an advanced technology solution for paediatric surgery.
MDA and SickKids will team up to develop KidsArm, a sophisticated tele-operated surgical system specifically designed for operating on small children and babies. KidsArm is intended to be used by surgeons, in conjunction with a high precision real-time imaging technology, to reconnect delicate vessels such as veins, arteries, or intestines.
The initial prototype developed under the contract will include an advanced miniature suturing capability to operate on tiny vessels.
Steve Oldham, the vice president responsible for this business at MDA said, 'Our fundamental strategy is to apply our advanced space robotics capabilities to highly demanding terrestrial challenges in the medical, nuclear, mining, and other sectors. Once proven, we aim to become a partner in the commercialization of these advanced solutions.'
KidsArm is a project of the Centre for Image-Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Intervention (CIGITI) at SickKids. CIGITI is designed to foster collaboration between surgeons, engineers, imaging scientists and the private sector to develop innovative surgical technologies that incorporate "smart" surgical tools.
The research and development of KidsArm is funded by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) and Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).
About MDA
MDA provides advanced information solutions that capture and process vast amounts of data, produce essential information, and improve the decision making and operational performance of business and government organizations worldwide.
Focused on markets and customers with strong repeat business potential, MDA delivers a broad spectrum of information solutions, ranging from complex operational systems, to tailored information services, to electronic information products.
The Company's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol TSX:MDA.
About The Hospital for Sick Children
The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is recognized as one of the world's foremost paediatric health-care institutions and is Canada's leading centre dedicated to advancing children's health through the integration of patient care, research and education. Founded in 1875 and affiliated with the University of Toronto, SickKids is one of Canada's most research-intensive hospitals and has generated discoveries that have helped children globally. Its mission is to provide the best in complex and specialized family-centred care; pioneer scientific and clinical advancements; share expertise; foster an academic environment that nurtures health-care professionals; and champion an accessible, comprehensive and sustainable child health system. SickKids is proud of its vision for Healthier Children. A Better World. For more information, please visit www.sickkids.ca.
Related Websites:
www.mdacorporation.com
www.sickkids.ca
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements and information, which reflect the current view of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. ("MDA") with respect to future events and financial performance. The forward-looking statements in this regard include statements regarding the award of a contract. Any such forward-looking statements are based on MDA's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends. The factors and assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements in this release include contracts not being terminated. Any such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. MDA cautions readers that should certain risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. The risks that could cause actual results to differ from current expectations include failure of third parties and subcontractors; failure of systems to meet performance requirements and failure to anticipate changes in technology, technical standards and product offerings or comply with the requisite standards.
For additional information with respect to certain of these risks or factors, plus additional risks or factors, reference should be made to MDA's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, which are available online at www.sedar.com or on MDA's website at www.mdacorporation.com.
The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the form or content of this release.
For further information: Wendy Keyzer, MDA External Relations, (604) 231-2743, wendy@mdacorporation.com