Case study
Ontario company develops world’s first portable dual energy x-ray detector
November 7, 2022
With support from EAHN™, KA Imaging and UHN are evaluating the use of a portable dual energy x-ray detector in diagnosing pneumonia in COVID-19 patients.
High quality diagnostic imaging is essential to diagnosing and treating diseases and illnesses affecting the lungs. Now an Ontario company, KA Imaging, has developed the world’s first portable dual energy x-ray detector—an innovative technology that can be installed on any x-ray machine to significantly enhance the quality of chest x-rays.
Dual energy x-ray uses two radiation exposures (one high level energy and one low level energy) to separate soft tissue and bone in the images. This allows clinicians to look at the lung tissue without ribs in the way, making it far easier to detect changes related to cancer or other diseases in the lungs. Until now, the technology has had a significant limitation: because the two exposures are separated by about half a second, any patient movement can create a blurring or streak (known as a motion artifact) that reduces the clarity of the image. Even the beat of the heart against the lungs can alter the image.
KA Imaging has solved that problem. Rather than requiring two exposures at the emitting end, the company’s new x-ray detector separates the high and low energy at the receiving end. Only one radiation exposure is needed, resulting in clearer, sharper images. The KA detector is also easily installed on existing x-ray units, so any x-ray machine—fixed or portable—can now become a dual energy system at minimal cost.
EAHN™ project supports test of technology for COVID-19 patients
In early 2020, KA Imaging was working with University Health Network (UHN) to evaluate use of its new technology in lung cancer screening. When the pandemic began, the company immediately saw the technology’s potential for diagnosing and treating COVID-19 patients; many of these patients experience pneumonia, and a high-quality dual energy image could potentially identify these changes in the lung earlier than a standard x-ray. The technology’s portability would also be a distinct advantage, since it would reduce the need to move COVID-19 patients through the hospital.
The opportunity to test the detector in this patient population arrived through an initiative launched by OBIO’s Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™) to advance new technologies with the potential to address COVID-19. Through EAHN™, companies with innovative health technologies are matched with health organizations to test, refine, adopt, procure and disseminate novel technologies. KA Imaging and UHN were accepted into the program and launched a study focused on cancer patients who have received a stem cell transplant. For these immunocompromised patients, pneumonia would be particular concern.
The study enables clinicians to test whether dual energy images allow them to find cases of pneumonia that they would not see using a standard x-ray. It provides data to help determine whether use of the technology increases clinicians’ confidence in their diagnosis.
Completing a study during the pandemic has proved challenging, and the study continues to enrol patients. However, using the technology in the hospital setting has already provided KA Imaging with important learnings, allowing the company to optimize its algorithms and fine tune the technology to ensure better image quality.
Building a Canadian and international market
Although the EAHN™ study focused on COVID-19 patients, KA Imaging believes its technology can improve diagnosis and care for a broad group of diseases, from lung cancer to tuberculosis. And while the technology won’t replace the advanced capabilities of CT scans, the number of CTs in Canada is limited, particularly in more remote areas. Enhanced x-ray images could likely address some of the demand.
The company estimates its initial market is $2 billion. However, approximately 500,000 x-ray systems are installed globally, creating significant market potential. KA Imaging has already engaged distributors to handle sales, support and installation in the US, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Australia and Taiwan and applied for regulatory approval in Europe. The company is also working on plans for Canadian distribution.
EAHN’s program will help that process. At the conclusion of each EAHN™ study, the hospital partner provides a Determination of Value and Recommendation for Procurement. The document details the outcomes of the evaluation, the value the technology offers to patients, clinicians and the system, and whether the organization recommends the technology for procurement. KA Imaging believes a recommendation from a well-known hospital like UHN will make an impact as the company builds its market. The company also values OBIO’s advocacy for Ontario health technology companies. Partnering with EAHN™ allows early-stage companies to showcase their technologies to hospitals and to government, ensuring a broader audience for their products.
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