Adaptix is revolutionising radiology with its innovative 3D X-Ray technology that can deliver mobile point-of-care 3D imaging.
The Technology
Digital Tomosynthesis using conventional X-ray systems has already demonstrated its clinical potential beyond breast imaging. DT helps to better characterize equivocal lesions in planar chest X-rays and can optimize the use of CT resources. The introduction of Adaptix’s 3D X-Ray technology enables the design of compact, affordable DT systems that would allow more patients timely and easy access to low-dose 3D imaging.
Adaptix’s 3D X-Ray technology, based on Digital tomosynthesis (DT), where a conventional X-Ray tube moves through a range of angles to derive 3D data, has been shown to provide better diagnostic information than 2D X-Ray. However, the limited depth resolution of DT may lead to difficulties in localizing some structures and to artifacts. The Adaptix system ‘sweeps’ in two dimensions, enhancing ‘z’ resolution relative to conventional DT.
No existing DT systems are mobile, and therefore they cannot be used for point-of-care diagnostics. They are also too large and expensive to be deployed in primary care or out-of-hospital settings. Adaptix technology is designed to enable low-cost systems for widespread deployment beyond hospitals, into primary care, and non-medical applications.
Our systems use novel image reconstruction techniques, producing slice-by-slice reconstruction, enabling extremely quick partial analysis and adjustment of slice thickness over regions of interest. The approach uses back projection together with a ramp-filter and is substantially less memory-intensive than techniques that must reconstruct the volume as a whole. Additionally, noise and artifact reduction techniques and the ability to reconstruct slices in super-resolution improve the reconstruction quality, while computational optimization ensures that the method is fast.
Research and Development
Adaptix is focused on transforming radiology. We recognize that outside of healthcare, there are additional opportunities for our X-ray technology. Our research efforts seek to develop a range of capabilities, building on our core technologies, including electron beam production and control through field emission, X-Ray conversion and collimation, vacuum enclosures, and support systems such as embedded electronics and high-voltage generation.
Our research team includes scientists, engineers, and technicians with a combined expertise in the aforementioned disciplines.
Our facilities include an on-site prototyping shop, clean rooms, precision assembly labs and X-Ray testing labs. Our development team focuses on translating our own research into prototypes and products whilst our team of engineers and technicians use their extensive knowledge of materials and systems to design and build our products. We follow iterative development models, quickly incorporating test data into new revisions.
Intellectual Property
Adaptix has twenty patent families with over one hundred and fifty filed patents to protect the development of its 3D X-ray technology and its applications. The patent portfolio now covers the full system, including methods and apparatus for producing X-rays and tools for 3D image reconstruction.
The combination of patents awarded and filed gives Adaptix the freedom to continue to innovate, while protecting further research and development into distributed arrays.
Facilities and Collaborations
Adaptix’s R&D facility is located at Oxford University’s Begbroke Science Park. Work is also conducted at the state-of-the-art facilities at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, on the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, one of the national scientific research laboratories in the UK operated by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
The company also collaborates with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in assessing device performance.
Various academic collaborations for research also exist with Oxford University and the Cockcroft Institute.
