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 analyzed 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
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 analyze images from anywhere in the world.
- Utilization of Big Data:
Nowadays Big Data is underutilized. Nanox made an approach to utilize 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 minimizing downtime and ensuring that the device is always ready for use.
- Cost Efficiency and Scalability
By utilizing 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 minimizes 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
