Advances in Medical Imaging Technology

Advances in Medical Imaging Technology

1. Hyperspectral Imaging

By applying an optical semiconductor technology commonly used in digital color projectors to an imaging technique employed by the defense industry, Karel Zuzak, senior biomedical research engineer at Digital Light Innovations (Austin, TX), has shed light on an array of potential optical medical imaging applications. The resulting hyperspectral imaging system could help reduce the risk of complications during various medical procedures and associated liability. Read more about hyperspectral imaging and its potential use for medical imaging.


2. Electromagnetic Acoustic Imaging

A patented imaging technology offers higher clarity at a lower price than conventional imaging modalities, according to its developers at the University of Oxford. Oxford electromagnetic acoustic imaging (OxEMA) employs electromagnetic and acoustic waves to produce what the researchers claim is "unparalleled tissue-type characterization in this price bracket." The technology could allow for faster and easier diagnosis of various types of cancer. Read more about Oxford electromagnetic acoustic imaging.


3. Wafer-Scale Mega Microchip

A large microchip developed by scientists at the University of Lincoln (UK) is designed to enhance medical imaging applications. Measuring a whopping 12.8 cm square, the chip could eventually aid in the diagnosis of cancer, enabling doctors to see the impact of radiotherapy treatment more precisely. Dubbed 'DynAMITe,' the wafer-scale chip produces images that will clearly show the effects of radiation on tumors and help doctors to detect them earlier. And because it is strong, the chip can survive many years of exposure to radiation. Read more about the mega microchip.

4. Holey Metamaterial

Although ultrasound imaging is ubiquitous in the medical field, it has been limited by an inability to obtain high-resolution, detailed images. By using a 3-D metamaterial to achieve deep-subwavelength imaging, however, scientists at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), and the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid (Spain) believe that they can enhance ultrasound resolution by a factor of 50. If realized, the metamaterial could be incorporated into current ultrasound probes to capture high-resolution medical images, thereby improving patient care. Read more about the 3-D metamaterial.



5. Superconducting Magnet System

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for performing a range of medical diagnostic applications, but the size and cost of the superconducting magnets and cooling systems used in MRI equipment make the machines stationary and expensive. Now, researchers at Japan’s Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI; Tokyo) have developed a superconducting magnet system that can fit in the palm of a hand. The compact magnet, in turn, could lead to the development of enhanced mobile imaging applications. Read more about the superconducting magnet system.

6. MRI Heart Imaging

Scientists at the Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (Berlin-Buch) have revolutionized technology for imaging the beating heart. Produced in one of the world's most powerful MRI systems, with power equivalent to 150,000 times Earth's magnetic field, the images provide much higher detail than standard cardiac images. The ultrahigh field approach also delineates clearly between blood and heart muscle. The new method could advance the capabilities of cardiac research and care, enabling earlier diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of cardiac malfunctions. Read more about the new heart-imaging technology.