Novel Australian technology to treat lung disease

New technology developed at Victoria’s Monash University will enable doctors to not only better diagnose lung diseases but also check the progress of treatment.

Diagnosing lung disease will now be faster and more accurate, thanks to new non-invasive technology developed at Monash University. The four-dimensional lung function imaging analysis uniquely and non-invasively measures lung function in real-time within the breathing lungs. This enables highly detailed maps of lung ventilation patterns and airflow, which enables pinpoint identification of deficits in ventilation.

The technology will enable doctors to check if treatments for respiratory illnesses are working and how the problems originated.

“Since pulmonary function tests are measured at the mouth, these tests are unable to localise where in the lung any change in function originates,” researcher Dr Rhiannon Murrie said.

“Additionally, CT scans cannot image the lung while it is breathing, which means airflow through the airways and into the lung tissue cannot be measured.”

The new non-invasive X-ray technology developed in Victoria provides high-definition and real-time images of airflow through the lungs, fast-tracking treatments for patients.

“This finding is an exciting step in advancing the understanding of lung diseases and treatments that affect millions of people globally,” Dr Murrie said. She added the new technology would in particular help cystic fibrosis patients.

The patented XV Technology has been commercialised by Australian-based medtech company 4Dx, led by chief executive and former Monash University researcher Professor Andreas Fouras.

“I am pleased to see this technology being commercialised to maximise clinical impact,” Prof Fouras said.

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