Internal health diagnostic tools are expensive, slow, and often invasive. Anyone who has undergone an internal health diagnostic method—CT, colonoscopy, or MRI—knows this all too well.
While most people accept this as the status quo, Debbie Berg and Shane Leath were unsatisfied and determined to change it. So, this duo of AgResearch scientists set out to create a solution.
Radio With Pictures, a Sprout Accelerator Spring24 Cohort venture, has developed a portable health diagnosis device utilising safe radio wave technology and AI analytics to diagnose health conditions quickly and affordably. The device works by analysing "tissue fingerprints" to identify potential diseases, making it a promising alternative to traditional diagnostic methods.
The device is faster, cheaper, and safer than comparative medical technologies. Health practitioners can safely screen humans and animals for internal health issues without requiring specialised training.
The potential impact of this disruptive technology on both human and animal health industries is significant. As a pair of problem-solving innovators, founders Debbie and Shane are excited about the transformative possibilities of Radio With Pictures.
Debbie Berg has 25 years of experience in animal science and health, with a PhD in mammalian physiology. She has spent much of her career in Ruakura, where she gained significant experience working with animals, a passion that originally brought her to New Zealand from the USA.
Shane Leath compliments Debbie’s expertise, with a deep knowledge of technology and data analytics. With extensive experience in sensors and large data sets, Shane plays a critical role in developing the AI and analytics that drive Radio With Pictures’ diagnostic technology.
Together, Debbie and Shane form a highly effective team, complementing each other's strengths. With their combined experience in animal health, technology, and data analytics, the Radio With Pictures team is well-positioned to bring their vision to life.
In their market research, the team was pleasantly surprised to find how open vets, farmers, and radiographers were to adopting their new technology. The idea that professionals could offer safe, affordable, and remote diagnoses has the potential to transform everyday practices and the long-term health of patients.
"Seeing the signals come through the animal for the first time was so exciting,” recalls Debbie. Shane agrees: "I was confident in the signals from the start, but I was in awe of seeing the pelvis of a cow through the device. In that moment, it made all the hard work real.”
The pair realised that this device could revolutionise the future of health diagnostics—for humans and animals alike. It became their mission to make this research truly useful and get it into the hands of end users.
Transforming their research into an early-stage startup venture was challenging. “I'm thankful for Sprout's support in moving this out of the lab and into a commercial business,” laughs Debbie. I wouldn't even know how to begin.”
The team's tenacious drive, combined with Sprout Accelerator's guidance, is making their dream a reality. With the help of Sprout Accelerator mentors and the wider Sprout Agritech ecosystem, they are tracking a commercial pathway, establishing a viable business model, and setting a solid foundation for scaling up quickly and profitably.
"We want to see our device unleashed into the world. We want to see it used routinely in doctors’ and veterinary offices," says Debbie. Eventually, they want Radio With Pictures to become a multinational company based in New Zealand.
The journey has only just begun, but Radio With Pictures' impact has the potential to influence the future of health diagnostics everywhere. With the support of the Sprout Accelerator, this vision is well on its way to becoming a reality.