Improved Computed Tomography System Marketed

Main Category: Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Also Included In: Radiology / Nuclear Medicine;  MRI / PET / Ultrasound
Article Date: 11 Jan 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Researchers at the Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen - German Research Center for Environmental Health, together with the University of Oregon, USA have developed a new image reconstruction system for computed tomography that produces greater image quality at a lower radiation dose compared with standard systems. With the help of Ascenion GmbH, a licensing agreement has been closed with YXLON International Group Holding GmbH, the market leader in industrial X-ray and computed tomography solutions for non-destructive material testing. YXLON will use and market the new system exclusively for commercial applications in material testing. The German Research Center for Environmental Health and the University of Oregon receive a down payment and a share of future sales revenue.

The new system provides improved raw data analysis and enables high-quality, simplified data collection. The novel reconstruction algorithm ensures significantly more efficient removal of artefacts and background noise compared with standard methods to date. "This could, for example, increase air safety", explains Dr Hoeschen, Head of the Working Group Medical Physics at the German Research Center for Environmental Health. "The system is even able to recognise microcracks in highly stressed components, for example, rotating elements in aircraft turbines." In addition, the greater efficiency will accelerate material testing. Gas pipelines, for example, would not have to be closed down as long for testing. Finally, the reduced radiation dose increases the lifespan of CT equipment, thereby reducing costs.

The signing of the contract concludes a year of successful collaboration between YXLON and researchers of the German Research Center for Environmental Health in which the system was evaluated and the foundations of a close future collaboration were laid. The partners plan to test various industrial applications and develop them for the market. "This reconstruction system has the potential to broaden the use of computer tomography for industrial X-ray testing and to make it a standard procedure in the middle term", says Dr Joseph Kosanetzky, CEO YXLON International.

"We are delighted to have YXLON on board as a market leader in industrial material testing", says Dr Sigrid Scheek, Technology Manager at Ascenion GmbH. "The completed contract with YXLON is just the first step of our marketing strategy. We are now concentrating on the field of medical diagnostics and are in talks with a number of parties". With 140 million CT examinations per annum, there is much interest in the new system. It could cut costs considerably while maintaining image quality at roughly half the current radiation exposure for patients.

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Source: Dr. Peter Ruile
GSF - National Research Center for Environment and Health

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