Recently, a New Zealand based company, MARS Bioimaging Ltd, developed a technology to create 3D X-ray images, in collaboration with CERN, which is a Swiss based largest particle Physics laboratory in the world. In 2012, this lab discovered the elusive Higgs Boson particle.
Their research took place at the Large Hadron Collider, over a couple of decades. They developed a sensor chip called ‘Medipix’ which works like a camera, detecting and counting individual sub-atomic particles. It can measure specific wavelengths of X-rays.
The system is capable of running the spectroscopic data via specific algorithms, generating a 3D colored image in unimaginable detail. It clearly distinguishes between fat, water, various body tissues, and can also detect disease markers, which could help doctors in providing their patients with accurate diagnoses.
In a couple of months, for the first time ever, this new technology will be used in clinical trials involving Rheumatology and Orthopedic patients.