- Recipient: KA Imaging
- Region: Southern Ontario
KA Imaging's Reveal™ 35C detector
With much of the medical world still reliant on decades-old X-ray systems, a team of University of Waterloo researchers saw an opportunity to innovate and change the way the world sees medical imaging.
The founding team of KA Imaging — Karim Karim, Amol Karnik, and Sina Ghanbarzadeh — was driven by a shared vision to improve diagnostic imaging and make healthcare more accessible globally. They quickly identified a gap in the market: traditional X-ray systems, while widely used, lacked the ability to provide detailed soft tissue contrast without the high costs and radiation exposure of CT scans.
Their solution was a novel dual-energy X-ray detector that could be retrofitted into existing systems. This technology, which allows for the separation of bone and soft tissue images in a single exposure, promised to revolutionize diagnostic imaging by offering more accurate results with better contrast, colouring, detail, and lower radiation doses. The innovation was both technically impressive and commercially viable.
The University of Waterloo played a critical role in nurturing the company’s early growth. Through access to cutting-edge research facilities, mentorship from faculty, and support from the university’s Velocity incubator, KA Imaging was able to refine its technology. As the company moved from prototype to product, it faced the common challenge of scaling up and a lack of funding and resources.
In 2020, KA Imaging received a FedDev Ontario investment to help accelerate commercialization of its flagship product, the Reveal™ 35C detector, invest in manufacturing capabilities and pursue regulatory approvals in key international markets.
In parallel, KA Imaging’s technology began gaining traction in hospitals and clinics, both in Canada and abroad. The Reveal™ 35C detector, with its ability to produce high-contrast images at the bedside, proved especially valuable in critical care settings where rapid, accurate diagnostics are essential. A clinical study at Waterloo Regional Health Network in Kitchener, made possible with support from CanHealth Network, showed that KA Imaging’s technology reduced the need for CT scans in ICU patients by up to 37%, helping avoid patient transports and lowering healthcare costs. This capability had life-saving implications, particularly for vulnerable patients who could not be moved safely or during the COVID-19 pandemic when quarantine zones were established and transport through hospital wards was not possible.
The human impact of KA Imaging’s technology extends far beyond hospitals. In addition to being the first company to take an X-ray image in space, its portable X-ray systems have been deployed in remote villages in Africa where access to advanced medical imaging was previously unimaginable. The company’s technology has also been applied to the automotive sector, where it is being used to enhance quality control in EV battery manufacturing. This innovation has received the attention of the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), which provided support for KA Imaging to accelerate production of this new solution. Lastly, KA Imaging’s numerous clinical trials have resulted in a rich dataset that has a practical application – the company is using this data to train AI models for better diagnostic results.
Beyond the numbers, KA Imaging’s success is a testament to the power of collaboration between academia, government and industry. The company’s journey from a university lab to having global impact with its imaging technology illustrates what’s possible when visionary entrepreneurs are supported by a strong innovation ecosystem.
"The idea is to democratize technology. So we're not just building for an elite class, we're building for everybody. Good healthcare should be within the reach of all. That's a very Canadian value."
Today, the company has expanded its team beyond initial projections, creating 18 full-time, highly-skilled positions while maintaining 22 existing jobs, with most of these new positions in highly specialized fields such as engineering. KA Imaging continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in X-ray technology. Its team remains deeply connected to the University of Waterloo, collaborating on research and mentoring the next generation of innovators. The company’s story is far from over—but its early chapters offer a compelling example of how Canadian ingenuity, backed by strategic investment, can lead to world-changing outcomes.
Learn more about FedDev Ontario's funding recipients by visiting our impact stories page.