Australian innovation in medical imaging technology TGA listed

MedTech News: An ultra-lightweight, highly mobile medical imaging device, the Micro-X Rover, that delivers easier and simpler x-ray imaging for patients and faster workflow for radiographers, has been given the green light by health authorities for sale in Australia.

The inclusion of Rover on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) means better imaging solutions for Australians and opens a path to new manufacturing jobs in Adelaide.

“It’s fantastic now that we can really attack our own domestic market here in Australia with our own, highly price competitive, Australian made, proprietary product,” said Peter Rowland, managing director of Adelaide-based firm Micro-X, which invented the technology and developed this game-changing product.

The Micro-X Rover was first designed for the Australian military as an ultra-mobile radiology solution for deployed military hospitals, delivering the full spectrum of imaging solutions in support of combat operations or humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

It is a fraction of the size and weight of conventional mobile x-ray machines, weighing in at around 95kg, compared with the 500kg or more for a conventional imaging machine.

For hospitals this means Rover can be more easily manoeuvred through hospital corridors to a patient’s bedside in a crowed ICU, and more easily and safely positioned by radiographers.

For patients with poor mobility Rover offers the potential of X-rays at patients’ homes or in aged care facilities.

The Micro-X Rover is the second product made by Micro-X to receive Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) clearance. Its first mobile x-ray machine the Carestream DRX Revolution Nano was listed on the ARTG in April 2019 and many units have been sold across Australia since then.

A version of the Micro-X Rover, specifically designed for veterinary practices was recently put into veterinary service at the Gawler Animal Hospital.

Instead of using a hot filament to produce electrons as in traditional x-ray tubes, Micro-X uses carbon nanotube (CNT) emitter technology to generate the stream of electrons. It’s smaller, more energy efficient and longer lasting, like LED lights.

This allows the huge weight reductions in the x-ray unit, as well as more precision and responsiveness in controlling x-ray output.