Scientists at Sunnybrook Research Institute (SRI) are inventing the future of health care by developing innovative tools and devices that aim to solve some of health care’s most complex challenges. By working with trusted partners in both public and private sectors, our scientists can identify, innovate and protect new technologies, and bring discoveries to the medical marketplace so they reach and benefit more patients. From bench to bedside, Sunnybrook inventors are working to trailblaze patient care one idea at a time.
Dr. Nicole Look Hong is a surgical oncologist and associate scientist in the Odette Cancer Program, and her work focuses on improving cancer care through economic efficiencies and new technologies, and evaluating new techniques for tumour removal in breast cancer. Dr. Look Hong’s research interests led to the development of MOLLI®, a wire-free and radiation-free technology that works like a stud finder, enabling surgeons to locate breast cancer lesions with more precise accuracy.
The device, developed at Sunnybrook by Dr. Look Hong, and former Sunnybrook employees Dr. Ananth Ravi, and Mr. John Dillon, inserts a tiny magnetic marker into the tumour and during surgery, using a small wand, surgeons then identify the location and exact depth of the marker helping them determine where and how deep to cut. This flagship device led to the founding of MOLLI Surgical, a SRI spin-off company, and now MOLLI is being used in hospitals across North and Central America and the Caribbean, helping more patients. In 2022, TIME Magazine named the device as one of the best inventions of the year and more recently, MOLLI Surgical was a 2024 recipient of INOVAIT’s Focus Fund program.
MOLLI® 2 Wand Detecting Marker. Photo: MOLLI Surgical
What inspired you to invent MOLLI and later commercialize it?
I think the best inventions are created when there is a genuine desire to solve a problem that has no other effective, creative alternative as the foundation. When we initiated discussions about the idea that would eventually become MOLLI, there were very few options available in Canada for breast lesion localization. We sought to develop a simple and intuitive solution, that also overcame many infrastructure limitations. There was also a need to create an alternative that would be cost-effective within the Canadian healthcare ecosystem, as most commercial products abroad for localization were quite expensive at the time.
The inspiration for commercialization started to emerge once we saw that the prototype products for MOLLI worked to localize breast tumours and were successfully and safely used in a phase I clinical trial.
What knowledge or skills do you need to become an inventor?
I think the most important skills needed for invention and commercialization are collaboration, humility, and patience. During the processes of idea generation, building, testing, and trial for a new invention, there will inevitably be many wrong turns, useless ideas and failed attempts.
Medical device creation and commercialization is a very interprofessional process and it is critical to recognize that no individual team member is skilled in all aspects of the process. It may be uncomfortable at first, but relying on each other, and trusting the judgement of others is essential to moving forward with your invention. The ability to fully commercialize a product requires a significant time and financial investment, and a lot of proper oversight. Partnership and collaboration can help make these challenges much more manageable.
How did Sunnybrook enable you to make your invention a reality?
When MOLLI was first invented, myself, Dr. Ravi and all the engineers involved in its creation were working at Sunnybrook. Because of this, we were able to meet in-person regularly and utilize the laboratory and operating space within the hospital. Through Sunnybrook, we were able to access its advanced machine shop, a state-of-the-art facility equipped for the design, fabrication and testing of medical devices, which played a crucial role in developing the product and its prototypes.
As a premier academic and research health sciences centre, Sunnybrook provided our team with the academic atmosphere to apply for innovation grants and advance the work, and to conduct clinical trials in an ethically sound and peer-vetted environment.
