Micro-X has initiated installation of its first human pilot site for a portable Head CT scanner at Royal Melbourne Hospital, marking a pivotal step towards revolutionising stroke diagnosis with carbon nanotube technology.
- First human imaging trial site activated at Royal Melbourne Hospital
- Trial supports future regulatory approval for portable Head CT scanner
- Additional test benches being prepared for multi-site clinical trials
- Collaboration with Australian Stroke Alliance and government funding
- Development of in-ambulance Head CT prototype progressing
A New Era in Stroke Imaging
Micro-X Ltd, an Australian high-tech company specialising in cold cathode X-ray technology, has taken a significant stride forward with the activation of its first human pilot site at the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH). This milestone sets the stage for the world’s first human imaging trial using Micro-X’s innovative Head CT scanner designed specifically for stroke diagnosis.
The RMH, renowned globally as a Comprehensive Stroke Care Centre and home to the Melbourne Brain Centre, provides an ideal environment for this pioneering trial. The study aims to evaluate the scanner’s ability to identify critical neuroimaging markers that influence stroke treatment decisions, potentially accelerating diagnosis and improving patient outcomes.
Trial Design and Collaborative Efforts
The human pilot study is structured as a multi-centre, prospective, non-randomised trial involving patients with various brain conditions including ischaemic stroke, intracranial haemorrhage, and brain tumours. The trial’s primary goal is to support future regulatory applications by demonstrating the clinical utility and safety of the portable Head CT scanner.
Micro-X is working closely with the Australian Stroke Alliance, a coalition of over 40 national organisations dedicated to enhancing pre-hospital stroke care. This partnership underscores the trial’s clinical relevance and the potential for the technology to transform stroke management beyond hospital walls.
Expanding the Trial and Future Innovations
Beyond RMH, Micro-X is advancing the construction of two additional test benches to facilitate further trial sites, signalling a robust multi-site evaluation phase. Parallel to these efforts, the company is progressing development of an in-ambulance Head CT prototype, funded by the Australian Government’s Industry Growth Program, which could bring rapid stroke diagnosis directly to patients in emergency settings.
Micro-X’s Chief Operating Officer, Anthony Skeats, emphasised the disciplined approach to data quality and technical excellence as the company moves towards commencing human imaging. Meanwhile, Dr Anna Balabanski, lead clinical researcher from the Australian Stroke Alliance, highlighted the trial’s critical role in enabling safe, high-quality brain imaging in pre-hospital environments once in-hospital performance is validated.
Implications for Stroke Care and Beyond
If successful, Micro-X’s portable Head CT technology could significantly reduce the time to stroke diagnosis and treatment initiation, a crucial factor in improving patient recovery and survival rates. The trial’s outcomes will be closely watched by the medical community and investors alike, as they could herald a new standard in emergency neurological imaging.
Bottom Line?
Micro-X’s trial at Royal Melbourne Hospital could redefine stroke diagnosis, but the path to widespread adoption hinges on trial results and regulatory approval.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the trial results influence regulatory approval timelines for the Head CT scanner?
- What are the projected commercialisation plans and market rollout strategies post-trial?
- How will the in-ambulance Head CT prototype integrate with existing emergency medical services?