Inventing solutions to everyday problems

Geoff develops technologies for two broad purposes:
  • To prevent injury and disease
  • To help individuals and their family caregivers continue to live in their own homes as they age
He has maintained a focus on the reduction of falls through the development of innovative mobility products, non-slip winter footwear and improvements to accessibility and building codes. He has made significant advances in preventing hospital acquired infections by improving hand hygiene. His recent involvement in the development of a disposable instrument for home diagnosis of sleep apnea has the potential to significantly reduce the prevalence of cardiovascular complications resulting from untreated sleep apnea. Geoff has been responsible for many products that assist people's independence, including innovative wheelchairs and bathroom aids. Many of his inventions have reduced the physical burden of caring for people, including the prevention of back and shoulder injuries in professional nurses and family caregivers caused by lifting and moving people.
  • Selected patents
    • Hedman T, Fernie GR, Kostuik JP and Maki BE. Artificial Spinal Disc. US patent #4,759,769 filed 22 June 1987, issued 26 July 1988.
    • Lunau KR, Fernie GR and Reed SP. Safety Support Structure. US patent #5,056,753 filed 7 March 1989, issued 15 October 1991.
    • Fernie GR, Doyle BP and Kronich CG. Conversion kit for toilets of varying shapes. US patent #5,432,957 filed 25 January 1994, issued 18 July 1995.
    • Doyle BP and Fernie GR. Bathtub. US patent #6,145,140 filed 14 February 1997, issued 14 November 2000.
    • Fernie GR, Wilcox PJ and May PW. Nestable Wheelchair. US patent #6,315,306 filed 12 September 1997, issued 13 November 2001.
    • Fernie GR and Griggs GT. Motorized Chair Base. US patent # 6,179,076 filed 6 October 1998, issued 30 January 2001.
    • Levchenko OI, Hufton GC, Fernie GR and Sayed MK. Hand Hygiene Compliance System. US patent #8,237,558 filed 7 August 2009, issued 7 August 2012.
    • King EC, Sobchak AM, Griggs GT, Dutta T, Fernie GR and Wilcox PJ. Lifting Assist Device. US patent #8,128,065 filed 9 May 2007. issued 6 March 2012.
    • Griggs GT, Dutta T and Fernie GR. Powered Wheelchair. US patent #8,280,561 filed 9 September 2009, issued 2 October 2012.

Related Links

Associated Program(s)

For a list of Dr. Fernie's publications, please visit PubMed, Scopus or ORCID.

Emerita/Emeritus Scientist, KITE (TRI)

Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto
Professor, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto
Faculty Member, Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto