nir-vana innovation network

The Hungarian SME is developing new imaging methods. The company developed and patented a new X-ray modality to visualize blood vessel structure and peripheral artery pathologies The technology applies an altered data acquisition sequence and an altered data processing algorithm. It provides two different images at once. One of the two images is the conventional X-ray image. Together with this a novel dynamic image is also acquired that represents hidden local motions.

Detection of internal movements by X-ray imaging requires the acquisition of a series of images. A typical angiography examination requires 250 to 3500-fold dose of a typical chest X-ray. Cumulative exposure presents a safety issue for examining health professionals as well as for patients. A proprietary, patented analysis technology was developed that enables one to derive the equivalent information using fraction of the cumulative dose. The method can be easily added to existing X-ray imaging equipment. It could be inexpensively implemented in X-ray fluoroscopy and angiography instruments. The technology could be added with a detector and software upgrade to the instruments.

The technology allows obtaining the necessary diagnostic information about blood vessel structure in the lower extremities, furthermore can be used during prostatic artery embolization and transarterial chemoembolization using a much lower X-ray dose and contrast material volume than traditional X-ray fluoroscopy/angiography.

The technology only alters the intensity and the temporal distribution of the X-rays. Instead of a fully exposed image series, in fluoroscopy and angiography applications, the technology records a series of very underexposed images. This allows a drastic decrease of the necessary X-ray dose.

This technology is ready to be implemented as a software add-on to several existing X-ray imaging equipment, without hardware modifications.

Manufacturers implementing this technology would gain an edge compared to competitors. The company offers technical assistance to the manufacturers who implement the technology in their existing fluoroscopy and angiography instruments. The technology is available for licensing, and the common R&D collaboration can also be an option even for hospitals, healthcare providers.

Advantages & innovations

- The technology could be used in many X-ray fluoroscopy and angiography application to obtain the necessary diagnostic information using at least 70% smaller X-ray dose. - The patented imaging technology is sensitive to fast changes and aperiodic movements with which data acquisition can not be synchronized. - The new type of image is acquired which presents previously unavailable information about hidden motions. - The method can be inexpensively and easily implemented on existing digital X-ray instruments. The traditional X-ray image is also recorded. - There is no need of increased data acquisition time compared to traditional X-ray imaging methods.

Stage of development

Available for demonstration

Partner sought

- Type of partner sought: industrial or healthcare provider (hospital, office-based labs) - Specific area of activity of the partner: company manufacturing medical X-ray imaging devices or a healthcare provider equipped with catheterization laboratory - Task to be performed: Joint development, testing of a new product which uses the offered imaging technology. Licensing the technology.