Researchers from Oxford University are developing a new type of imaging technology they believe could offer better performance than existing modalities like MRI and ultrasound.
The university's Oxford electromagnetic acoustic imaging (OxEMA) technology could provide better, earlier diagnosis of numerous conditions and tumors, including breast, liver, kidney, and thyroid cancer. It could also have applications in orthopedics and other areas, the university said.
OxEMA is based on a combination of electromagnetic and acoustic waves that have the ability to discriminate different electrical and mechanical properties of tissue. The university believes the technology could eventually create medical images at a cost comparable to ultrasound, but with clarity and tissue characterization comparable to MRI -- without ionizing radiation.
OxEMA is being proposed as a potential spinout company from ISIS, Oxford's wholly owned subsidiary for transferring technology developed at Oxford into the commercial realm. OxEMA researchers are working toward building an imaging system based on the technology that can be used in a clinical environment.
