SynaptiQ: A demographically-robust AI-powered platform for the prediction and prevention of hospital-induced delirium

From overlooked symptoms to proactive care, how one young innovator is rethinking delirium detection 

For many hospital patients, especially older adults and those in intensive care, delirium can appear suddenly and quietly. A patient may seem withdrawn, confused, or disoriented, and those changes can fluctuate rapidly throughout the day. Despite affecting roughly 30 per cent of hospitalized patients, hospital-induced delirium often goes undetected until it has already caused serious harm. 

That gap in care is what inspired Ingenious+ national winner Gurnoor Kaur to create SynaptiQ, an AI-powered platform designed to predict and prevent hospital-induced delirium before symptoms escalate. 

“Delirium is often preventable, yet many individuals suffer lasting harm simply because early warning signs are missed in overstretched care environments,” Gurnoor wrote in her application. 

SynaptiQ combines non-contact physiological sensing, facial micro-expression analysis, predictive modelling, and an AI chatbot that can assist with cognitive screening and support. Using wall- or bed-mounted cameras, the system can monitor indicators like heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure without requiring patients to wear sensors or devices. 

The platform was shaped by technical research, and by conversations with healthcare workers and volunteers involved in delirium screening programs. Gurnoor consulted with volunteers from the Hospital Elder Life Program at Grand River Health Network to better understand the challenges of identifying delirium in busy clinical settings, especially hypoactive delirium, where symptoms can be far more difficult to recognize. 

Those conversations helped inform a system focused on continuous, non-invasive monitoring that reduces burden on healthcare staff while improving patient care. 

“SynaptiQ addresses this inequity by enabling continuous, objective cognitive monitoring so that every patient receives timely attention, regardless of staffing limitations,” she explained. 

The project has already received significant recognition. SynaptiQ was presented at the Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting and selected to represent Canada at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). 

For Gurnoor, the work is grounded in both innovation and compassion. SynaptiQ was designed to support healthcare workers while protecting “one of the most overlooked aspects of health: cognitive dignity in elderly patients.” 

As an Ingenious+ national winner, Gurnoor received $10,000 to continue developing SynaptiQ and advancing the platform toward clinical pilot testing. Funding will support hardware upgrades, software optimization, and the next steps required for deployment in healthcare settings. 

About Ingenious+ 

Ingenious+ is the Rideau Hall Foundation’s national youth innovation challenge, supporting young people aged 14 to 18 who are creating solutions to challenges in their communities and beyond. Alongside funding, participants gain access to mentorship, networking opportunities, and national recognition that help them grow their ideas and connect with fellow young innovators. 

In 2026, 215 young people across Canada received more than $230,000 through Ingenious+, supporting projects focused on climate change, health and wellbeing, accessibility, community connection, and technology.