WATERLOO, ON (September 23, 2022) – KA Imaging’s Chief Technology Officer Dr. Karim S. Karim participated in the 6th Workshop on Medical Applications of Spectroscopic X-ray Detectors held at the European Council of Nuclear Research (CERN), held in Geneva, Switzerland, in late August. Dr. Karim discussed the viability of 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝐃𝐑ᵀᴹ technology for large area, energy-discriminating, diagnostic X-ray imaging.
60% of all medical imaging uses some form of X-ray. Every year, over 2 billion X-ray procedures are done and roughly 119.3 million (38.5%) of those are chest procedures (Analysis of the US General X-ray Imaging Equipment Market (frost.com), 2012). “The widespread dependence on X-ray by a range of clinical experts is the reason why it has become increasingly important to help X-ray readers make more accurate and timely reads,” said Dr. Karim. He proposed KA Imaging’s patented 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝐃𝐑ᵀᴹ technology as a means for improving both point-of-care and bedside imaging.
Dual-energy subtraction (DES) radiography has been around for over 40 years and is known for its ability to separate different tissue types such as lung soft-tissue from bony ribs for higher sensitivity in diagnostics. However, traditional approaches to DES suffer from image quality, hospital workflow, and manufacturing cost issues resulting in slow clinical adoption of this imaging modality. The simultaneous acquisition of conventional and spectral X-ray digital radiography (DR) images without changing clinical technique, workflow, or dose is now possible thanks to advances in multi-layer, large area, flat panel X-ray detectors that are outperforming older generation DES technologies. The higher sensitivity, specificity and confidence of three clinical images for each exposure results in improved clinical outcomes for both mobile imaging use cases (e.g. lines and tube tips, pneumothorax, pneumonia, foreign surgical objects) and also high throughput, triaging use cases such as early detection of coronary calcium, pulmonary nodules and tuberculosis.
Dr. Karim highlighted the evolution of dual-energy subtraction X-ray solutions and compared their limitations to new developments in multi-layer dual-energy X-ray detectors, more specifically, KA’s very own Revealᵀᴹ 35C powered by 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝐃𝐑ᵀᴹ. Dr. Karim delved into the clinical benefits for bedside dual-energy imaging applications as well as new applications enabled by low dose lateral X-ray views.
KA Imaging’s 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝐃𝐑ᵀᴹ technology enables dual-energy subtraction, providing bone and tissue differentiation with a single standard X-ray exposure and clinical technique. It acquires three images simultaneously (DR, bone and soft tissue dual-energy X-ray images). The technology mimics the workflow, dose and techniques of state-of-the-art mobile DR X-ray detectors and is currently built into the Revealᵀᴹ 35C X-ray Detector.
The European Council for Nuclear Research (in French Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire) is a research and development group founded in 1953 whose purpose is to perform world-class research in fundamental physics, the structure of the universe, and understand the complexities of how it all works. The council is one of Europe’s first scientific joint ventures that now contains 23 member states.
About KA Imaging
Founded in 2015, KA Imaging is a spin-off from the University of Waterloo that specializes in innovative X-ray imaging technologies and systems.
Today, KA Imaging develops unique detectors and imaging products that leverage cutting edge multi-energy and phase contrast X-ray technologies for medical, industrial, veterinary, non-destructive, and scientific imaging customers.
