Micro-X's Head CT test bench has successfully generated CT images to complete the next milestone of the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) program.
Micro-X has delivered CT images taken by its Head CT test bench showing the skull and soft tissue structure of the brain of an anthropomorphic head phantom. Clinical leads at the Australian Stroke Alliance (ASA) determined the images show detail of the sulci, ventricles and vascular anatomy in the supratentorial compartment. This marks a significant milestone achievement in the Head CT project, with an associated payment of $0.5m. The Company is now building hospital test benches that will support an application to the Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Ethics Committee, with human clinical trials planned to commence in early 2025.
Radiation measurements under this milestone determined the effective dose to a patient from Micro-X Head CT imaging is around one third of a conventional head CT dose. This is well below annual radiation exposure limits for members of the general public.
Micro-X Chief Executive Officer Kingsley Hall said the significance of this achievement in developing a world-first mobile Head CT device should not be underestimated.
"The value of this technology goes beyond head imaging, enabling future opportunities including the next generation of full body CT imaging," Mr Hall said. "We are committed to our purpose of creating revolutionary X-ray imaging that betters lives, and today’s achievement is another step forward in delivering on our promise.”
The Micro-X Head CT consists of a world-first array of Micro-X proprietary mini tubes, a novel curved detector, a rapid high-voltage switching control system and Micro-X’s compact high-voltage generator.
Micro-X has developed advanced high-voltage switching electronics that turn the mini-tube cathodes on and off in rapid succession at 100kV while the array is connected to Micro-X’s high-voltage generator. CT images are reconstructed using an in-house image software framework and novel adaptive deep scatter estimation algorithms to generate three dimensional images. This core technology underpins the development of Full Body CT for ARPA-H.
The next milestone involves the build of three hospital test systems with demonstrated full diagnostic image quality to progress ethics approvals and commence live human imaging.
Head CT opens up the pre-hospital point of care market for deployment in emergency response vehicles, as well as providing cost and space effective head CT imaging in Emergency Departments and neurological operating rooms.
Micro-X Chief Operating Officer Anthony Skeats, who leads the Head CT programme said: “Achieving this milestone is the culmination of hard work, dedication and belief that Micro-X NEX Technology can deliver CT imaging that is accessible for all. In the last three years our team and partners have shown incredible collaboration and determination to show that our novel approach works.
Co-chair of the Australian Stroke Alliance, Professor Stephen Davis AO said: “I am pleased to see these very promising results from the initial scans in phantom models. We look forward to testing the technology in stroke patients in the hospital environment.”
Co-chair of the Australian Stroke Alliance, Professor Geoffrey Donnan AO commented: “The strength of this technology is its lightweight portable structure, which will make it ideal for use in prehospital settings, particularly in remote locations”.
Micro-X's Head CT test bench has successfully generated CT images to complete the next milestone of the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) program.
Micro-X has delivered CT images taken by its Head CT test bench showing the skull and soft tissue structure of the brain of an anthropomorphic head phantom. Clinical leads at the Australian Stroke Alliance (ASA) determined the images show detail of the sulci, ventricles and vascular anatomy in the supratentorial compartment. This marks a significant milestone achievement in the Head CT project, with an associated payment of $0.5m. The Company is now building hospital test benches that will support an application to the Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Ethics Committee, with human clinical trials planned to commence in early 2025.
Radiation measurements under this milestone determined the effective dose to a patient from Micro-X Head CT imaging is around one third of a conventional head CT dose. This is well below annual radiation exposure limits for members of the general public.
Micro-X Chief Executive Officer Kingsley Hall said the significance of this achievement in developing a world-first mobile Head CT device should not be underestimated.
"The value of this technology goes beyond head imaging, enabling future opportunities including the next generation of full body CT imaging," Mr Hall said. "We are committed to our purpose of creating revolutionary X-ray imaging that betters lives, and today’s achievement is another step forward in delivering on our promise.”
The Micro-X Head CT consists of a world-first array of Micro-X proprietary mini tubes, a novel curved detector, a rapid high-voltage switching control system and Micro-X’s compact high-voltage generator.
Micro-X has developed advanced high-voltage switching electronics that turn the mini-tube cathodes on and off in rapid succession at 100kV while the array is connected to Micro-X’s high-voltage generator. CT images are reconstructed using an in-house image software framework and novel adaptive deep scatter estimation algorithms to generate three dimensional images. This core technology underpins the development of Full Body CT for ARPA-H.
The next milestone involves the build of three hospital test systems with demonstrated full diagnostic image quality to progress ethics approvals and commence live human imaging.
Head CT opens up the pre-hospital point of care market for deployment in emergency response vehicles, as well as providing cost and space effective head CT imaging in Emergency Departments and neurological operating rooms.
Micro-X Chief Operating Officer Anthony Skeats, who leads the Head CT programme said: “Achieving this milestone is the culmination of hard work, dedication and belief that Micro-X NEX Technology can deliver CT imaging that is accessible for all. In the last three years our team and partners have shown incredible collaboration and determination to show that our novel approach works.
Co-chair of the Australian Stroke Alliance, Professor Stephen Davis AO said: “I am pleased to see these very promising results from the initial scans in phantom models. We look forward to testing the technology in stroke patients in the hospital environment.”
Co-chair of the Australian Stroke Alliance, Professor Geoffrey Donnan AO commented: “The strength of this technology is its lightweight portable structure, which will make it ideal for use in prehospital settings, particularly in remote locations”.
After years working in the defence sector, Peter moved to Micro-X to make a meaningful impact on people's lives.
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World-first production of full Head CT images using proprietary Micro-X miniature X-ray tube array, high voltage switching and imaging software
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