This sterile cover converts an ordinary power drill into a tool that can be safely used in orthopaedic surgery in developing world clinics where other equipment is prohibitively expensive. (Photo credit: Grand Challenges Canada)

This sterile cover converts an ordinary power drill into a tool that can be safely used in orthopaedic surgery in developing world clinics where other equipment is prohibitively expensive. (Photo credit: Grand Challenges Canada)

The Government of Canada, through Grand Challenges Canada, announces seed funding Sept. 8 for 22 projects submitted by innovators worldwide and designed to improve health in the developing world. Examples include:

  • A device that converts sound into symbols for display on Google Glass, a tablet or laptop, captioning conversations in real-time for deaf people

  • A sterile cover that enables the substitution of an everyday $100 power drill for a $30,000 orthopaedic surgery unit

  • A low-cost, stem cell-based drug testing platform to identify illnesses produced by counterfeit drugs

News release in full, with links to photos and videos can be found here. A complete list of local project contacts is available here.