Australian tech company Micro-X, Monash University, and Johns Hopkins University have secured a contract for up to $25M to develop lightweight CT scanners that can be fitted into mobile vehicles, providing hospital-level care to patients regardless of their location.
The grant was awarded by the US Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) as part of their Platform Accelerating Rural Access to Distributed and InteGrated Medical care (PARADIGM) program, launched in 2024.
The initiative aims to address critical healthcare disparities in rural America, where many people face limited access to advanced medical imaging, resulting in delayed health diagnoses.
Monash University’s Design Health Collab will design the CT scanner, which will weigh just 225 kilograms — significantly lighter than conventional 2,000-kilogram CT scanners.
This reduced weight is made possible by Micro-X’s Nano Electronic X-ray (NEX) Technology, which uses miniaturised x-ray emitters to deliver high-quality, three-dimensional imaging comparable to hospital-based systems.
The technology aims to provide advanced medical imaging outside of hospitals, enabling quick and accurate detection of diseases in underserved areas.
Project lead Dr Nyein Chan Aung, from Design Health Collab at Monash Art, Design and Architecture, said the role of design has made this technology a reality.
“Medical technology has seen a wave of miniaturisation, from portable ultrasound to wearable health monitors, but CT scanners remain the final frontier,” Dr Aung said.
“Through design, we are now driving this transformation, making full-body CT imaging truly mobile for the first time.”
Dr Aung said Design Health Collab is also looking to introduce similar design concepts locally to promote better access to healthcare and services in Australia.
Professor Daphne Flynn, Director of Design Health Collab, said the team is focused on designing solutions that extend distributed healthcare beyond hospital walls.
“Design Health Collab is committed to improving the experience and equity of healthcare, where communities can access services regardless of where they live,” Professor Flynn said.
“This project demonstrates Monash University’s place on the world stage in innovation and design, and we’re proud to be working with our partners to create more accessible health outcomes across the world.”
Micro-X Chief Executive Officer Kingsley Hall said Micro-X’s miniaturised X-ray technology allows them to bring life-saving CT imaging to places it currently cannot go.
“Micro-X continues to push boundaries, challenging the constraints of legacy X-ray technology to deliver new and innovative solutions that meet the needs of customers, users and patients,” Mr Hall said.
Micro-X, Monash University and Johns Hopkins University are one of 12 teams collaborating on various aspects of the PARADIGM program, including advanced imaging and diagnostics, secure data integration, and shock-resistant mobile care vehicles.
The CT scanner is expected to be completed and ready for use by 2029.
