As we described in an article about Butterfly Network, modern medicine faces a lot of challenges, such as long waiting time to access medical scanners and diagnostics results, high costs of care and limited possibilities for early diagnosis. This problem extends also to X-ray imaging that plays a huge role in detecting diseases, planning treatments, and monitoring progress of treatment. However, X-ray techniques are often expensive and require large, complex machines that are not accessible in many parts of the world. It means that in more rural and worse communicated areas a lot of people are left undiagnosed and untreated for serious health conditions.
In 2012 a serial entrepreneur Ran Poliakine, founded Nanox, a company that aims to build a global infrastructure for medical imaging, combining powerful technologies such as digital MEMS source, AI solutions and teleradiology solutions for an end-to-end imaging solution.
Nanox incorporated IoT solutions into Nanox.ARC, a digital X-ray system that leverages IoT technology to overcome the challenges of traditional imaging methods.
Image 1. The Nanox.ARC device
The Core Technologies of Nanox.ARC
Nanox.ARC is powered by four core technologies: Nanox.SOURCE, Nanox.TUBE, Nanox.ARC and Nanox.CLOUD. Let’s take a closer look at each one of those:
- Nanox.SOURCE – Heart of the device is Nanox.SOURCE, which includes Novel Silicon Chip and a Cold Cathode. This technology is significant innovation in comparison to traditional X-ray techniques that rely on heated filaments. Very important part of the design is the nano-scale cold cathode that is responsible for generating the electron-stream needed for X-ray. Thanks to the cold cathode power consumption can be reduced and the design of the device is more compact, which is crucial for making the Nanox.ARC much more portable and easier to deploy in remote locations.
- Nanox.TUBE – The Nanox.TUBE integrates five cold cathode Nanox.TUBES within the Nanox.ARC. These tubes are responsible for generating X-rays. Nanox.TUBES are allowing for simultaneous connection and switching of multiple X-rays tubes.
- Nanox.ARC – All the described technologies are integrated in Nanox.ARC which is the main imaging system.
- Nanox.CLOUD – The Nanox.CLOUD is a cloud-based platform that allows for transfer of the imaging data to safe databases, remote patient examination and collaboration between the best radiology specialists around the world. The Nanox.CLOUD ensures that medical images can be accessed and analysed from anywhere in the world, allowing people in more rural areas to access the best radiology services.
Image 2. Core parts of the Nanox.ARC device
Innovative Business Model: Pay-Per-Scan Approach
Lowering the Barrier to Entry
Traditional X-ray machines involve enormous upfront costs, making them inaccessible to smaller clinics or rural providers. Nanox challenges this with a pay-per-scan model: healthcare facilities receive the Nanox.ARC system with little or no capital expenditure and only pay when a scan is conducted.
Recurring Revenue Stream
This model is not only cost-effective for providers but also generates consistent revenue for Nanox. The more the devices are used, the more income is generated—making it a usage-based monetization strategy aligned with demand.
Cloud-Powered Billing and Monitoring
Nanox.CLOUD handles:
- Scan data uploads
- Usage logging
- Billing and device health monitoring
The integration of IoT ensures transparency, efficient tracking, and cost control for all stakeholders.
The pay-per-scan model blends accessibility with profitability, demonstrating how IoT-enabled devices can reshape commercial frameworks in healthcare.
Technological Edge: Cold Cathode Innovation
Compact and Energy-Efficient Design
The core innovation in Nanox.ARC lies in Nanox.SOURCE, which uses a nano-scale cold cathode instead of traditional heated filaments. This drastically reduces power consumption and allows for smaller device footprints—key for deployment in low-infrastructure settings.
Modular Tubes for Enhanced Imaging
Nanox.TUBE integrates five cold cathode sources that can be fired individually or simultaneously. This multi-tube approach allows for:
- 3D imaging capabilities
- Extended hardware life
- Scalable diagnostic flexibility
Hardware Built for Global Reach
The cold cathode design ensures longer service intervals and minimal maintenance, contributing to:
- Lower total cost of ownership
- Reduced environmental impact
- Easier deployment in remote locations
Nanox’s technological pivot doesn’t just reduce cost—it enhances portability, reliability, and imaging versatility.
Reaching the Underserved: Scaling with IoT
Solving Rural Healthcare Gaps
Many communities lack access to diagnostic imaging due to high equipment costs and a shortage of radiologists. Nanox tackles this by:
- Providing affordable scanning hardware
- Enabling remote operations via Nanox.CLOUD
- Automating diagnostics support using AI
Remote Operation & Expert Oversight
Trained radiologists in urban or international hubs can operate Nanox.ARC remotely, ensuring even rural patients benefit from expert interpretations.
Seamless Support and Maintenance
IoT connectivity allows the devices to:
- Self-report performance issues
- Receive over-the-air updates
- Be managed centrally by Nanox support teams
The result is a scalable, plug-and-play solution that thrives where traditional systems cannot—bridging geographic and economic healthcare divides.
Smart Integration: AI and Big Data Synergy
Enhanced Diagnostic Capabilities
Every image taken by Nanox.ARC contributes to a growing dataset. Using AI algorithms, the system supports:
- Early detection of anomalies
- Workflow prioritisation for critical cases
- Reduction in diagnostic errors
Building a Global Imaging Repository
With the help of IoT:
- Each connected device contributes anonymised scan data
- Patterns are identified across populations
- Databases improve with every use—fueling precision medicine
Predictive Maintenance Through Data
Performance metrics from every unit are analysed in the cloud. Algorithms identify trends and predict:
- Hardware fatigue
- Imminent component failures
- Necessary software updates
Nanox transforms imaging from a snapshot into a real-time, data-driven feedback loop—making each scan smarter than the last.
Global Strategy: Regulatory and Market Positioning
Gaining Regulatory Trust
Nanox achieved FDA clearance for its multisource X-ray system, validating the safety and efficacy of its unique design. This opens doors to:
- US market penetration
- Regulatory trust in other jurisdictions
- Institutional partnerships with health systems
Regional Expansion with Strategic Alliances
To scale globally, Nanox:
- Partners with governments and NGOs in underserved markets
- Customises deployment models for local infrastructure
- Adapts interfaces and training to regional languages and skills
Monetization Through Global Scale
With every new geography:
- Nanox gains new users under the pay-per-scan model
- Centralised cloud services grow
- Device fleets become more efficient via usage analytics
Regulatory success isn’t just a milestone—it’s a monetization gateway that multiplies Nanox’s impact worldwide.
The Role of IoT in Solving Healthcare Problems
Now let’s take a closer look at four areas in which IoT played a crucial role in solving a healthcare problem in a Nanox device:
- Remote Operation and Monitoring:
There are areas with a shortage of trained medical professionals. By leveraging Nanox.CLOUD, the device can be controlled from a central location by a skilled radiologist that can operate the machine and analyse images from anywhere in the world.
- Utilisation of Big Data:
Nowadays Big Data is underutilised. Nanox made an approach to utilise databases of medical documentation to improve diagnostics possibilities. To achieve this they connect all the Nanox devices using IoT technology to facilitate real-time data transmission from the Nanox.ARC to cloud-based services. This allows for instant sharing of medical images with specialists who can provide immediate diagnoses and build databases with patient outcomes for future reference.
- Predictive Maintenance:
In the Nanox.ARC device sensors are continuously monitoring its performance, detecting potential issues before they lead to failures. Nanox.ARC is sending this data to the cloud allowing for minimising downtime and ensuring that the device is always ready for use.
- Cost Efficiency and Scalability
By utilising IoT technologies, Nanox has managed to reduce the cost of both manufacturing and operating the Nanox.ARC. Thanks to the possibility of managing the devices remotely, there is no such a need for on-site technicians, and the predictive maintenance system minimises costly repairs. These factors make the technology approachable in locations that are not well communicated and more rural, so that anybody can access proper medical healthcare.
Image 3. Nanox.ARC device architecture
Conclusion
Thanks to the innovative approach of leveraging silicon chips, cold cathodes integrated into tubes and connectivity with the cloud, Nanox devices are solving a lot of issues that people in more rural areas are facing. IoT technologies and companies such as Nanox are not only solving current problems but they are taking a step further into a world in which people from all locations and material statuses can access medical care.
Want to hear more about Nanox?
Check our Shorts about their monetization model:
References:
The source of information for this article was generally available on the Internet. If you see something non-factual please contact us at info@wizzdev.pl
