Micro-X Unveils First Head CT Test Bench, Poised to Transform Stroke Diagnosis
Micro-X has completed its first Head CT test bench, marking a key milestone as it begins pivotal imaging trials in Australian hospitals to revolutionize stroke diagnosis.
- First of three Head CT test benches ready for hospital installation
- Six to nine-month pivotal study comparing Micro-X scans with conventional CT
- $0.4 million milestone payment triggered under Australian Stroke Alliance contract
- Innovative miniature NEX tubes and novel imaging software developed
- Device designed for ambulance use to enable rapid pre-hospital stroke diagnosis
A Breakthrough in Portable Stroke Imaging
Micro-X Ltd, an Australian healthcare technology company, has reached a significant milestone with the completion of its first Head CT test bench, ready for installation in Australian hospitals. This development is part of a broader initiative to validate a portable CT scanner designed specifically for rapid stroke diagnosis, potentially transforming emergency care both in hospitals and ambulances.
The Head CT device, developed in partnership with the Australian Stroke Alliance (ASA) and supported by government funding, weighs approximately 70 kilograms; about one-tenth the weight of conventional CT scanners. This dramatic reduction in size and weight opens the door to deploying advanced imaging technology directly in ambulances, enabling earlier stroke detection and treatment.
Clinical Trials to Validate Diagnostic Performance
The first phase of the ASA-led imaging trial will involve a blind reader study comparing Micro-X’s Head CT images with those from conventional hospital CT scans in 90 admitted patients. Following this, a pivotal study over six to nine months will assess the device’s ability to accurately image suspected stroke patients, including those with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke types.
Micro-X’s technology incorporates miniature NEX X-ray tubes, high-voltage switching electronics, and novel image reconstruction algorithms developed in collaboration with partners such as FUJIFILM and Johns Hopkins iStar labs. This innovative approach allows for high-quality 3D imaging at a radiation dose below one millisievert, considered very low and safe by Australian regulatory standards.
Strategic Partnerships and Future Outlook
The milestone triggers a $0.4 million payment under the ASA contract, reflecting progress toward the company’s regulatory submission goals projected for 2026. Micro-X is concurrently developing two additional test benches for further trials at other Australian hospitals, underscoring the scale and ambition of this project.
Executives from Micro-X emphasize the potential impact of their technology to revolutionize stroke care by enabling rapid, point-of-care diagnosis that could save lives and reduce disability. The Australian Stroke Alliance co-chairs highlight the device’s potential to be deployed pre-hospital in ambulances and aircraft, moving critical diagnostic capability closer to patients.
With ongoing support from government grants and collaborations with leading research institutions, Micro-X is positioning itself at the forefront of portable medical imaging innovation. The coming months will be critical as clinical data emerges and regulatory pathways advance.
Bottom Line?
Micro-X’s progress signals a promising shift toward faster, more accessible stroke diagnosis, but clinical trial outcomes will be pivotal for its future impact.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the Head CT device demonstrate diagnostic equivalency or superiority to conventional CT in clinical trials?
- How soon can Micro-X achieve regulatory approval and commercial deployment for ambulance use?
- What partnerships or contracts might emerge to scale this technology nationally and internationally?
