World’s First Mobile Whole-Body CT Scanner to Provide Diagnostics at POC

Conventional CT scanners dominate the global medical imaging market, holding approximately 30% of the market share. These scanners are the current standard for various diagnostic applications, including cardiac imaging, trauma diagnosis, cancer screenings, and lung evaluations. Now, the development of a portable, lightweight full-body CT system on a scalable vehicle-based platform promises to bring advanced medical services to remote areas, addressing the ongoing challenges in rural healthcare access.

Micro-X (Adelaide, Australia) is pioneering the world's first mobile CT scanner, utilizing its compact but powerful Nano Electronic X-ray (NEX) Technology X-ray tubes. This innovation aims to produce a full-body CT system weighing just 225 kilograms, a stark contrast to traditional CT machines that weigh over 2000 kilograms. The core of the Micro-X technology platform is the NEX Technology, which enables high-voltage X-ray generation through a cold cathode. The company leverages its patented carbon nanotube emitter technology to design custom X-ray tubes tailored to meet specific product requirements. In 2019, Micro-X developed its first NEX X-ray tube based on this groundbreaking carbon nanotube technology. While other companies have attempted to incorporate carbon nanotube emitters in X-ray tubes, Micro-X is the first to create a stable, high-current, long-lasting, and repeatable X-ray tube using this technology.

Image: The rugged and miniaturized CT scanner is being designed for use beyond a typical hospital setting (Photo courtesy of Micro-X)

Micro-X’s NEX X-ray technology facilitates the creation of smaller, lighter, and simpler X-ray devices, offering unmatched portability and ease of use. The proprietary technology ensures a long operational lifespan without degradation in X-ray current performance. The company’s manufacturing processes are straightforward, scalable, and repeatable, which guarantees consistent quality and performance. Proven in real-world applications, the NEX X-ray technology has been deployed in both the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine, and is now in use across more than 35 countries. Recently, Micro-X secured a USD 16.4 million contract from ARPA-H to develop a rugged and miniaturized CT scanner for use outside traditional hospital environments. This mobile CT scanner will be integrated into a multi-functional care delivery platform, aimed at providing point-of-care diagnostics to Americans living in rural areas.

“Micro-X continues to go beyond boundaries to challenge the constraints of legacy X-ray and deliver solutions that meet the needs of customers, users and patients,” said Micro-X Chief Executive Officer Kingsley Hall.

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