Micro-X is proud to be exhibiting at IDEX 2023 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) as part of Team Defence Australia‘s stand. IDEX is the premier defence and security exhibition in the Middle East, running from February 20 to 24.
Micro-X’s product manager Shaun Graham will be available on the stand at 10-A03 to show you how Argus’ dual-mode NEX Technology combines breakthrough cold cathode x-ray technology with high-definition backscatter imaging to deliver unrivalled capability.
The Argus x-ray camera provides a leading edge approach to the detection and diagnosis of improvised threats during Counter Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (CIEDD) and high-risk search operations. The unique design enhances conventional imaging modalities, providing the operator with the flexibility to acquire images in both backscatter and conventional transmission modes, using the one integrated capability.
Team Defence Australia backs start-ups by providing them space at the conference to grow within new market areas. Micro-X will be located in the Australian Pavilion at the event, alongside other high-performing Australian defence and security companies.
As the largest conference of its kind in the region, 130,000 delegates are expected to attend the event. 2021 saw a record in deals made, worth AED 21 billion, the most in the exhibition’s 27 years of history. The exhibition utilises 155,000sqm of event space, showcasing the latest innovations in defence and security from around the world.
Click here for more information about Argus and its unique capabilities.
Micro-X has launched its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, as first steps towards sustainably and strategically taking meaningful action to advance Reconciliation.
The Reflect RAP is based around core pillars of relationships, respect and opportunities with the aim of increasing economic equity and supporting First Nations self-determination.
Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara artist Elizabeth Close created an artwork for the RAP, speaking to the company’s core values of innovation, making a change and contribution to health and security.

Artwork by Aboriginal artist Elizabeth Close
“It references the landscape and is a direct reference to the connection to Country that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People have, and more specifically, it references the wetlands and waterways of Warriparinga, and the landscape of Kaurna Country; Micro-X’s home. I have used much of the iconography across the concepts with variations in composition, using meeting places that speak to the concept of coming together, linking circles to speak to moving together as one, whilst acknowledging shared histories,” Ms Close said.
“There are many elements that speak to the elements of journey; both of innovation and of Reconciliation. I have also used kangaroo tracks to reference this. In a number of the concepts I have used dark, negative space artwork to speak to the technology of x-ray imaging itself, and on another I have referenced stylised radiation waves using iconography I also use to describe journey, growth and topograph.”
The RAP was launched at Micro-X’s Tonsley manufacturing facility, with Kaurna leader Jack Buckskin leading a Welcome to Country smoking ceremony.
Micro-X Chief Executive Officer Peter Rowland said the RAP was an important part of the company’s business strategy, recognising the value and opportunity brought by an inclusive environment to the business, customers and society.
“At Micro-X, we believe that our people and our work culture are the key to our success. By being inclusive of all cultures, we can draw from experience and knowledge to make us stronger. This RAP marks the start of our journey towards recognition and reconciliation, which will in turn contribute towards Australia’s journey towards providing greater equity, opportunity, and growth for all.”
Click here to read Micro-X’s Reconciliation Action Plan
Introducing… Sophie Lennon-George!
Sophie started with Micro-X one year ago in January 2022 on a summer internship and liked the work so much, she stayed! Sophie is in her final year of electrical and electronic engineering, majoring in medical technologies. Since starting at Micro-X, she has worked across all parts of the business.
Why do you love what you do?
I love how I get to work on a range of different things, across different projects at Micro-X. Whether I am doing design work or testing, I am learning something new every day. It’s good to be able to put the theory I learn into practice. Working at Micro-X I can see how, as an engineer, your design can affect the final product.
Why did you join Micro-X?
I am fascinated by medical imaging technology and have been since I was little. My parents have both worked as radiographers, I aways chose it as a research topic for projects at school and I did my year 10 work experience following around a radiographer. The company seemed like a perfect fit for me as it combined my interesting in electrical and electronic engineering with medical imaging.
What advice would you give to kids who want to become engineers one day?
Engineering is very broad and so I suggest getting work experience as soon as possible and speaking to people in industry about their work. This will determine what you like and help you choose companies to apply for in the future.
Micro-X welcomes Non-Executive Director Andrew Hartmann to the Board.
Andrew joined the Micro-X Board in December, pursuant to Varex’s nomination under its equity subscription agreement. Currently working at Varex as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Medical, Andrew has significant business expertise in the field of medical imaging devices, with extensive experience working in global roles with a focus on sales, marketing, and business operations. He is responsible for driving and growing Varex’s $674m medical business through sales, marketing and operations.
Over his career, Andrew has been responsible for building brand, market share and bottom-line gains through cost saving and efficiency improvements. Originally from Australia, Andrew has worked overseas and in global senior roles for more than 30 years. He has held senior global management roles at Phillips, Carestream and Siemens, after working in senior roles in Australia that included building brands across the Asia-Pacific region, the United States and Europe.
Micro-X chair David Knox said he was delighted to have Andrew join the Board.
“With more than 30 years’ experience in the radiology sector with Phillips, Siemens, Acuson, Carestream and Varex, Andrew’s experience will prove invaluable in our future ambitions in medical imaging. Andrew is Australian-born but brings global experience to the Micro-X board, having worked across four continents, and he is deeply entrenched in our most important market, the United States, where he resides.”
Andrew said he looked forward to being involved in Micro-X’s future growth.
“It is exciting to be involved with Micro-X as we see a strong future for cold-cathode x-ray technology. As a leader in Xray sources, it is important that Varex stays at the cutting edge, and I am excited to be directly involved with Micro-X. I have watched this technology for many years and look forward to supporting Micro-X and its stakeholders.”
Micro-X’s proprietary carbon nanotube technology has been listed in the top 9 trends and takeaways from RSNA 2022.
Industry publication Radiology Business says:
Cold cathode X-ray tubes have the possibility of revolutionizing medical imaging and reducing costs and weight of current X-ray based imaging systems. There have been a lot of engineering issues that needed to be overcome, but vendor Micro-X at RSNA 2022 said they have solved the issue of tubes wearing out, and they displayed an FDA-cleared mobile digital X-ray system on the floor. The company also showed a miniature head CT scanner using the same carbon nanotube cold cathode X-ray technology, which is already being deployed in Australia.
The Rover mobile DR system uses carbon nanotubes to create a beam of electrons in the tube that hit a metal target to create X-rays. Conventional tubes used over the last century use a light-bulb like filament that produces more heat than electron beam or X-rays, so systems need passive and active cooling systems. The weight of these systems and conventional tubes requires heavy structural support and motorized systems because of the weight. But these cold cathode systems are only a faction of the weight because they are made with minimal metal and carbon lightweight materials. The Rover is 220 pounds (100 kg), so it can easily be pushed without a motorized drive system.
Read more here
Micro-X has welcomed the announcement of an Australian-first combined PhD-MBA that will be offered by Flinders University from next year through a compressed doctoral program in tandem with an accelerated masters of business administration.
“PhD graduates tend to be very thorough, very smart, very focused and deliver some great outcomes but they usually don’t have the context to think around business and commercial acumen,” chief engineer Anthony Skeats said.
“If they get that additional business knowledge that makes them far more powerful.”
“We know from talking to employers that PhD graduates are brilliant in their research field, but they often lack business-relevant abilities, including presentation, negotiation and leadership skills,” said Carla Dias Wadewitz, a co-lead of the new program.
“It’s giving them skills that are not only useful inside a lab, so they understand human resources, finance and leadership.”
Some leading lights overseas, including Yale, the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, Dartmouth and the National University of Singapore, have been offering joint programs for several years.
Read more from Anthony and details of the combined PhD-MBA in The Australian Financial Review here.
CEO Peter Rowland was interviewed by The Australian newspaper and Sky News about the impact the Rover Mobile DR x-ray systems are having in Ukraine.
Read the story in The Australian here
For more information, contact Micro-X Head of Corporate Communications, Rebecca Puddy rpuddy@micro-x.com
Micro-X will be attending RSNA 2022 in Chicago from Nov 27 – Nov 31 and Arab Health from 30 Jan – Feb 2 2023.
Upcoming Conferences:
Arab Health
Location: Dubai World Trade Centre
Dates: January 30 – February 2, 2023
Booth: On DMS Booth
Past Conferences:
RSNA 2022
Location: Chicago, USA
Dates: November 27 – 31, 2022
Booth: North Hall, Level 3, booth 7161
The US Department of Homeland Security has awarded Micro-X Inc an extension on its development contract for the Miniaturised CT Baggage Scanner and exercised an option to continue the Passenger Self-Screening Checkpoint design.
The two DHS contracts are now valued at US$4.5 million.
Micro-X Inc CEO and General Manager of Checkpoints Dr Brian Gonzales said the close working relationship built with the DHS was testament to the company’s technological advances and focus on the passenger and operators’ checkpoint screening.
“We are very pleased with DHS adding a second prototype and exercising the option to design a prototype self-screening module,” he said.
“This is a strong indication of the success of the projects to-date, and it is our goal to continue building on this success toward our vision of building a passenger focussed checkpoint, based on our unique x-ray technology.”
The baggage scanner extension for an additional US$0.44 million is for the delivery of a second functioning prototype in early 2023, while the DHS is undertaking testing of the first prototype. The two Miniature Baggage Scanner prototypes will be constructed to the same standard, with each being tested for their ability to detect a potential threat, in a series of tests taking place in US government laboratories.
The exercise of this contract extension of an additional prototype followed the most recent of the regular project meetings between Micro-X management and key technical and operational representatives of the DHS. It is intended that two prototypes will enable faster and more thorough testing of the unique and disruptive Micro-X design.
In July 2022, Micro-X, Inc. and DHS formally executed the optional second phase of the Passenger Self-Screening Checkpoint contract, for work that includes the detailed design of a prototype self-screening module. The original Self-Screening contract for US$2.5 million was divided into an initial funded one-year concept design phase valued at US$1.31 million and second optional unfunded phase of US$1.18 million for an additional 8 months. DHS has now committed to funding the second phase. In this phase, Micro-X will continue to work with its existing subcontractors including Monash University, Elenium Automation, and Voxel Radar and will continue to work closely with DHS Transportation Security Administration (TSA) stakeholders.
The second phase was conditional on Micro-X developing a realistic and achievable design concept, and the demonstration of sufficient advancement and capability of the key enabling technologies, being the miniaturised baggage scanner and the real-time mm-wave scanner. Micro-X’s initial concept design was accepted by DHS in June 2022 and Micro-X has since been demonstrating and refining this concept with a series of full-size mock-ups to demonstrate the workflow and useability of the design.
The Rover DR system is a Best New Radiology Device semifinalist for the 2022 Minnies, a global campaign run by respected radiology publication Aunt Minnie to recognise the best and brightest in medical imaging.
The semifinalist list was compiled based on nominations from members of AuntMinnie.com. Winners will be selected by an expert panel in two rounds of voting. The finalists will be announced in late September, with the final winners announced in October.
See the list of semifinalists here
Micro-X has signed a long-term strategic collaboration with Varex Imaging Corporation, the world’s largest independent manufacturer of x-ray technology components.
The collaboration comprises of an exclusive global license for a non-refundable fee of $7.5m (US$5m), enabling Varex to use Micro-X’s NEX Technology for multi-beam x-ray tubes, and an equity subscription to achieve a 9.9% Micro-X holding, totalling $7.5m at a 10 per cent premium to the 15-day VWAP.
Key points:
- Long-term strategic relationship formed with Varex Imaging Corporation, the largest independent manufacturer of x-ray components globally with annual sales over US$0.8b in 2021.
- Micro-X to provide exclusive global licence to Varex to use proprietary NEX technology in multi-beam x-ray tubes – not used in the Company’s current four business units – for US$5m (AUD$7.5m).
- Varex to take 9.9% strategic stake in Micro-X – investing AUD$7.5m at a 10% premium, subject to 12-month escrow
- Initial 4.9% placed immediately with remainder subject to FIRB approval.
- A$15m funding strengthens Micro-X balance sheet and extends runway into 2024 – supports planned launch of Argus in 2022 and completion of Checkpoints development in 2023.
Under the terms of the ongoing agreements, Varex can design, manufacture, and sell multi-beam x-ray tubes using Micro-X’s proprietary NEX Technology. Varex will pay Micro X a once-off fee for this licence of US$5M (A$7.5M), payable in five milestones commencing on the date of signing and over coming months as the technology transfer is achieved from Micro-X’s Adelaide team to Varex’s facility in Salt Lake City.
Micro-X Managing Director Peter Rowland said the deal was a validation of Micro-X’s leadership in the field.
“This investment recognises the value of Micro-X’s world-leading technology with Varex, one of the world’s most innovative x-ray technology companies, validating the future importance of cold-cathode x-ray technology,” Mr Rowland said. “This long-term investment will continue to promote Micro-X on the world stage, as a leader in innovative products and technology that is designed to make lives better.
“This collaboration contributes hugely to our future growth and allows us to continue to focus on future medical and security imaging applications for our proprietary NEX Technology.”
The Licence is limited to x-ray tubes with multiple beams – an area of application not currently used in any of Micro-X’s four business units. The termination provisions within the agreements are for any uncured, material breach of the agreements including use of Micro-X IP outside this limitation and failure to pay any amounts due.
The money to be received under the collaboration consists of five equal milestone payments of $1.0m each, with the initial payment due on execution of the contract. The following four milestones, which are expected to be achieved approximately evenly across the following 12 month period, relate to staged technical achievement of goals validating the technology transfer to Varex for manufacturing of multi-beam tubes in Salt Lake City.
Strategic partnership & benefits
Varex sells x-ray tubes and associated components to x-ray imaging systems manufacturers world-wide for a range of medical and industrial applications. Each year Varex produces over 25,000 x-ray tubes and 20,000 x-ray detectors. In 2021 Varex reported over US$818M in revenue with their top five customers for that year being: Canon Medical, General Electric, Elekta, United Imaging and Varian Medical.
The strategy underpinning the collaboration is to enable Varex to offer multi-beam x-ray tubes to their global radiology systems customers for incorporation into new imaging products across a range of imaging applications. The collaboration will provide Varex with the right to use Micro-X’s intellectual property under an exclusive licence to commercialise multi-beam emitter technology. This represents a commercial opportunity for Micro-X to monetise an area of its core technology without impacting Micro-X’s existing or future plans.
Varex Imaging Chief Executive Officer Sunny Sanyal said Varex has long believed in the future importance of cold-cathode x-ray technology.
“We are pleased to continue to invest in nanotube technology to not only diversify but also deepen our expertise in this area,” Mr Sanyal said. “With several hundred carbon nanotube-based systems in the field, Micro-X is an ideal company to collaborate with and further advance adoption of these technologies.”
The global medical imaging market is forecast to continue to grow in value as a result of the rising incidence of lifestyle-related diseases, rising demand for early detection tools, technological advancements to speed up turnaround times, increased government investment, and the expansion of new facilities in developing countries. Varex’s credibility as a trusted supplier and its scale of manufacturing opens the potential to accelerate global market uptake of Micro-X technology across a range of industries.
Micro-X’s commercialisation strategy remains unchanged as a supplier of high-value imaging products and, as such, a collaboration with a leading edge, high technology x-ray component supplier has many strategic benefits in maintaining product innovation. As part of the collaboration Micro-X will investigate how Varex’s photon-counting detectors might extend the performance of its emerging CT products.
Equity investment & funding
Under the Subscription Agreement, Varex has also agreed with Micro-X to subscribe for a placement of 50,709,000 ordinary shares at a price of A$0.147 per share, representing a 10% premium to today’s 15-day VWAP (and also a 9% premium to the last closing price), giving Varex a 9.9% shareholding in the Company on completion. Varex has also entered an escrow agreement restricting dealing in or disposing of its shares in Micro-X for a period of 12 months.
The placement shares will be issued in two tranches under the Company’s available placement capacity, with 23,780,000 shares representing 4.9% of Micro-X, for an amount of A$3.5m, to be issued within three days. The balance of the placement shares for A$4m will be issued at the same price upon Varex receiving approval from the Australian Government’s Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB). FIRB approval is being sought due to Micro-X’s activities being considered a defence industry and is expected to be received by 31 December 2022.
As part of Varex’s equity investment, a nominee will be invited to join the Micro-X board, bringing international commercial radiology market experience, and expanding the Board’s global reach and expertise.
The total funds of A$15m to be received by the Company will significantly strengthen the Company’s balance sheet. This funding will be critical to support ongoing activities including final preparations to launch the Argus product in coming months and continue significant developments in the Checkpoints programme with the DHS.
Media contact: Rebecca Puddy, Head of Corporate Communications, media@micro-x.com
Australian Defence Magazine, September 2022
Adelaide company set to disrupt bomb disposal
Read more here
Hi-tech x-ray manufacturer Micro-X has launched its next generation Rover mobile DR x-ray, incorporating both an in-house designed and manufactured generator and an extended capability x-ray tube.
The Rover Plus delivers significant customer benefits, adding greater imaging capability from an increase in x-ray output to the first generation Rover’s smaller size and enhanced manoeuvrability. This increased output makes the Rover ideal for specialised imaging needs in emergency departments, operating theatres and military deployed hospitals.
The Rover Plus includes an in-house designed and manufactured high-powered generator, moving from a third-party supplied generator.
Managing director Peter Rowland said the launch of the Rover Plus was the culmination of many months of innovation and hard work from the company’s technical and regulatory teams.
“We are excited to ramp up our marketing and outreach activities to our customers and believe that our Mobile DR range offers compelling product features at competitive pricing,” Mr Rowland said.
“This is another demonstration of Micro-X’s dedication to continuous innovation across its technologies and product solutions.”
First orders have already been received from DMS in France and Israeli distributor Inframed.
Our passenger self-service checkpoint technology stars in a feature article by the world’s leading magazine in the field of airport terminals, Passenger Terminal World. The feature examines how the passenger self-serve checkpoints will increase security through the integration of 3D imaging and improve the screening experience for passengers, with up to 8 screening pods in the same space that is currently taken by one passenger screening lane.
Read more about it at Passenger Terminal World
Eleven Australian-made mobile bedside x-ray units are destined for hospitals in Ukraine to support the medical community in the Russia-Ukraine war.
The Rover, designed and manufactured in South Australia by hi-tech company Micro-X Ltd, has its genesis in supporting trauma imaging in military medical facilities. Its lightweight and rugged construction means that medical staff can use the imaging machines in emergency settings, particularly in deployed and temporary hospital environments.
Four humanitarian non-government organisations have bought the lightweight Rover units for expedited delivery to hospitals in war zones, including Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, from Micro-X’s Seattle facility.

Rovers in Seattle before being shipped
The innovative, lightweight machines use ground-breaking carbon nanotube technology, with a simpler design and more reliable performance in a smaller, lighter and less complex unit than traditional mobile x-ray devices. The intelligent ergonomics make the machine easy to manoeuvre and permit precise positioning for x-rays. The long-lasting Lithium Iron-Phosphate battery means the Rover can run without mains power for up to 8 hours.
Micro-X General Manager of Digital Radiology Charlie Hicks said the Rover’s unique nano electronic x-ray technology (NEX Technology™) meant that people requiring emergency medical care could receive the full spectrum of radiology exams, even if they were in a combat operation or war zone.
“Caring for people is at the heart of what we do at Micro-X and we are proud to be supporting the humanitarian efforts in Ukraine,” Mr Hicks said.
“Our Rover is six times lighter than conventional mobile x-ray systems and its nimble design means that it can easily go where it’s most needed.”
“Our electronic x-ray tube is smaller, lighter and faster than anything the world has seen before and it’s creating new opportunities for industries across the world.”
Nova Ukraine’s Olena Stadnyuk trained as a doctor in Kyiv, Ukraine and resides in California, USA. She is currently volunteering to support the procurement of medical supplies to be sent as humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
She said the lightweight design of the Rovers and their ability to be easily transported to patients was particularly useful in areas where large numbers of critically ill patients were presenting to hospitals, and in smaller and older hospitals where traditional imaging rooms were not easily accessible.
“Since the start of Russian attacks on Ukraine, Nova Ukraine has been providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine in the form of medical supplies, food and other urgently needed supplies as well as helping Ukrainian refugees,” Dr Stadnyuk said.
“Since the war started, hospitals in Ukraine have been overwhelmed with a huge number of wounded who require immediate triage, diagnostics and treatment.”
“Rovers will allow Ukrainian doctors to run proper diagnostic procedures in a timely manner at a point of care, saving critical minutes needed to treat wounded patients.”
Media contact: Rebecca Puddy, Head of Corporate Communications, media@micro-x.com
Major League Baseball’s Seattle Mariners will be the first US sporting team to introduce Micro-X’s revolutionary Rover x-ray system.
The immediate delivery of the Rover from Micro-X’s Seattle facility means the x-ray system will be available for diagnostic use for the remainder of the 2022 baseball season.
The Rover provides fast, convenient digital radiography imaging for patients everywhere – from the bedside, in hospitals and at point of care. It’s ‘feather touch’ drive and the balanced rotating articulating arm combine to make positioning the tube simple and fast, while the tube head’s small size allows for easier positioning around patients.
The innovative, lightweight machines use ground-breaking carbon nanotube technology, with a simpler design and more reliable performance in a smaller, lighter and less complex unit than traditional mobile x-ray devices.
The intelligent ergonomics make the machine easy to manoeuvre and permit precise positioning for x-rays. The long-lasting Lithium Iron Phosphate battery means the Rover can run without mains power for up to 8 hours.
Seattle-based Micro-X General Manager of Digital Radiology Charlie Hicks said the Mariners would be able to use the hi-tech Rover anywhere.
“We are delighted the Rover will be used by the Mariners as a diagnostic tool to help care for players,” Mr Hicks said.
“The Rover is perfectly suited to be used by the club – it is six times lighter than conventional mobile x-ray devices and easy to use. With our US operations based in Seattle, we are proud to have the Rover at a local club.”
Seattle Mariners Senior Director of High Performance Rob Scheidegger said the Rover was a perfect fit for the team’s DR imaging needs.
“The Rover is ideally suited for use in the professional sports environment,” Mr Scheidegger said.
“Having the ability to produce high quality images from such a versatile and mobile unit right in our ballpark is a game changer for our medical team.”
Micro-X has been invited to present its checkpoint security solution, which it is developing in a US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Scientist and Technology Directorate (S&T) funded program, to airport security regulators and security managers in Europe this week and in July.
These are the first presentations of Micro-X’s concept design for a passenger self-service checkpoint to planners and key decision makers in the worldwide airport security community. The checkpoint station design incorporates Micro-X’s new miniature CT baggage scanner which is also under a funded development.
Figure 1: Passenger flow through the multiple next-gen checkpoint stations will be increased.
Micro-X General Manager for Checkpoints Dr Brian Gonzales said engaging with the broader airport security community was key to the company’s positioning as a technology leader in this field. Micro-X’s strategy is to become the leading international vendor for checkpoint baggage screening.
“Micro-X’s technology leadership is based on our unique position as the only company in the world with NEX technology. By presenting what this product will look like for passengers and security services, we are showing the world what can be achieved with this technology, simultaneously improving the passenger experience and security detection,” said Dr Gonzales.
Dr Gonzales added “As aviation starts to return to pre-pandemic levels, we are seeing at airports around the world huge delays and line-ups as airports struggle with checkpoint staffing. Micro-X’s self-service checkpoint station addresses the problem through its small size and modular design for self-screening which increases passenger throughput and improve staffing efficiency.”
Figure 2: Micro-X’s passenger self-screening checkpoint design can fit seven modular stations, each with their own miniaturised CT, in the same footprint as a conventional conveyor-belt x-ray lane.
In the US, the TSA is deploying new computed tomography (CT) x-ray imagers on conveyor-belt systems to address the growing challenges facing airport baggage scanning. These new scanners offer three dimensional images that allow automated detection algorithms to be used. However, this technology brings a new challenge of false alarms, which in a traditional, conveyor-based system can slow the flow of bags because every alarm must be resolved by manual inspection. These new CT systems have several integration challenges for airports because of their size, weight, power requirements and need for a complex automated tray return system.
The solution Micro-X is developing extends the self-service concept common in passport immigration control, adding luggage and body scanning in the same station. Micro-X’s compact design can place seven self-service stations in the same footprint of a single conventional x-ray conveyer belt with the advantage that if even if manual resolution at one station is required, other stations continue processing. Micro-X’s self-service design has the potential bring full automation to the checkpoint screening process, resulting in both significant improvements to throughput and security. The self-screening offers the additional benefit of passengers not being separated from their valuables and being screened in private.
Managing Director Peter Rowland spoke with YouTube interviewer the ASX Investor about Micro-X, our history of innovation and the path ahead.
“The products, as well as being game changing, are inherently reliable, and simple, and cheap. We are planning on taking the world by storm with this technology.”
Check it out here:
Micro-X Rover mobile DR system will be distributed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through an exclusive deal signed between Micro-X and Leader Healthcare Group.
The agreement will foster long-term business relationships between the two companies and contribute to Micro-X’s international expansion through Leader Healthcare’s access to the United Arab Emirates’ high growth market.
The Rover’s high imaging performance and lightweight manoeuvrability provides flexibility in its use in hospitals and at point-of-care. Its ‘feather touch’ drive and the balanced rotating articulating arm combine to make positioning the tube simple and fast, while the tube head’s small size allows for easier positioning around patients. The innovative, lightweight machines use ground-breaking carbon nanotube technology, with a simpler design and more reliable performance in a smaller, lighter and less complex unit than traditional mobile x-ray devices. The intelligent ergonomics make the machine easy to manoeuvre and permit precise positioning for x-rays. The long-lasting Lithium Ion-Phosphate battery means the Rover can run without mains power for up to 8 hours.
Leader Healthcare Group’s Global CEO, Sukhdeep Sachdev, said the addition of the Micro-X Rover to the company’s range would meet the needs of users seeking value and flexibility.
“The market is dynamic in the post COVID-19 era, where the focus is more on making every treatment accessible,” he said.
“The partnership between Leader and Micro-X provides a solution that delivers the best value for service users. Micro-X’s portable solutions perfectly complement end-users’ quests for innovative products that combine mobile x-ray solutions with cutting-edge technology.”
Micro-X General Manager for Mobile Solutions Charlie Hicks said the distribution agreement with Leader Healthcare Group provided a new opportunity for the Rover mobile x-ray unit to be offered to customers in the United Arab Emirates.
“We are excited about the opportunity provided through our partnership with Leader Healthcare Group, who will be exclusively distributing our Rover mobile x-ray unit in the UAE,” Mr Hicks said.
“Micro-X mobile technology brings the x-ray to the patient, reducing the risk of moving patients to imaging rooms and providing new opportunities to bring the Rover to deliver high-grade hospital images in different home care environments.”
“We are grateful for the invaluable advice provided through the South Australian Government and its overseas trade office in Dubai in bringing this agreement to reality.”
South Australia’s Minister for Trade and Investment Nick Champion said South Australia was the perfect location to collaborate, innovate, develop and test new products to commercialise globally.
“Our advanced manufacturing capability is combined with expertise in medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals to develop world-leading medical products, such as Micro-X’s Rover mobile x-ray unit,” he said.
Micro-X has signed a distribution agreement for Rover in the United States with Medlink Imaging, a nationwide master dealer of radiographic equipment including Vieworks digital detector solutions.
Medlink Imaging is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vieworks Co Ltd, a major global supplier of imaging plates, based in South Korea. A key element of the distribution agreement is an initial commitment to acquire US$0.72 million (A$1.0 million) of Rover mobile systems during the first year of the agreement and each year thereafter, once the integration of the detector and software with the Rover is given the green light by regulators.
As part of a development agreement with Vieworks, the current Rover cart and imaging chain will be integrated with Vieworks manufactured digital radiology panels and VXVue software. This Rover Mobile DR with Vieworks panel and software will then be registered with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by Micro-X, with an estimated completion in the December 2022 quarter. Medlink Imaging is the largest master dealer of Vieworks panels in the world, and has received strong interest from its current network of US sub-distributors to add the Rover Mobile DR to its range, with the Rover offering a smaller size, weight and greater manoeuvrability.
Micro-X’s Managing Director Peter Rowland said Vieworks was one of the largest suppliers of detectors worldwide and was well respected internationally.
“This relationship with their US distributor not only positions us well for the US market, but also positions us for further expansion globally,” Mr Rowland said.
Medlink Vice President Michael Farah said the company was looking forward to driving the introduction of the Vieworks Rover.
“Our national network of dealers recognises that the market has called for a robust mobile x-ray product designed to meet and exceed the point of clinical care needs,” Mr Farah said.
“The Vieworks Rover will be well received, delivering value and exceptional clinical results.”
Vieworks integration team from Korea arrives at Tonsley next Monday to start the integration with Rover.
Thank you ANFF South Australia for recognising the contribution of Micro -X in recruiting, developing and retaining talent to advance the boundaries of science through nanotechnology.
Australian hi-tech company Micro-X Ltd (ASX:MX1) is supplying Rover mobile bedside imaging units to support the Ukraine’s medical community in the war against Russia.
The US-based charity Revived Soldiers Ukraine has bought four of the lightweight Rover units for expedited delivery from Micro-X’s Seattle facility to meet the emergency X-ray imaging needs in Ukraine’s hospitals and other war-torn areas.
Micro-X’s General Manager of Digital Radiology, Charlie Hicks, said the South Australian-designed and produced X-ray technology had its genesis in supporting trauma imaging in deployed military medical facilities, and its lightweight and rugged construction makes it ideally suited to use in the current crisis in Ukraine, particularly in deployed and temporary hospital environments.
Mr Hicks said the unique NEX carbon nanotube technology allows the mobile Rover to deliver the full spectrum of radiology exams for injured people in combat operations or humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
Conventional mobile X-ray systems with the same clinical performance weigh five or six times as much as the lightweight and mobile Rover, which greatly limits the situations where traditional units can be used.
“We were very pleased to be able to supply these units at short notice to Revived Soldiers Ukraine from Seattle to help the medical efforts in Ukraine,” Mr Hicks said.
“Supporting humanitarian efforts is important for the Company and the Rover’s capabilities will help deliver high-quality diagnostic imaging where it is needed most, in environments where conventional technology x-raying is not possible. The units are already on their way to Ukraine.”
Revived Soldiers Ukraine is a well-established 501(c) (3) charity organisation based in the US which has been providing medical and humanitarian help to the Ukraine for many years. Revived Soldiers Ukraine aims to provide medical aid to Ukrainian soldiers, their families and as those who suffered or were affected by military conflict. Donations can be made at https://www.rsukraine.org
About Micro-X
Micro-X Limited (the Company) is an ASX listed hi-tech company developing and commercialising a range of innovative products for global health and security markets, based on proprietary cold cathode, carbon nanotube (CNT) emitter technology. The electronic control of emitters with this technology enables x-ray products with significant reduction in size, weight and power requirements, enabling greater mobility and ease of use in existing x-ray markets and a range of new and unique security and defence applications. Micro-X has a fully vertically integrated design and production facility in Adelaide, Australia. A growing technical and commercial team based in Seattle is rapidly expanding Micro-X’s US business.
Micro-X’s product portfolio is built in four, high margin, product lines in health and security. The first commercial mobile digital radiology products are currently sold for diagnostic imaging in global healthcare, military and veterinary applications. An X-ray Camera for security imaging of Improvised Explosive Devices is in advanced development. The US Department of Homeland Security has selected Micro-X to design a next-generation Airport Checkpoint Portal with self-service x-ray. A miniature brain CT imager for pre-hospital stroke diagnosis in ambulances, is being developed with funding from the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund.
For more information visit: www.micro-x.com
About Revived Soldiers international
Revived Soldiers Ukraine is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing aid to the people of Ukraine so that they may fulfil fundamental rights and freedoms such as right to life, right to appropriate and affordable medical care, freedom of belief and freedom for an adequate standard of living.
Revived Soldiers Ukraine is working around the clock to deliver medical equipment and supplies, arranging humanitarian aid, and providing medical treatment to injured Ukrainians.
To arrange an interview please contact Verity Edwards at Hughes PR on 0412 678 942.
Micro-X is the leading article in today’s Business Journal, profiling our range of exciting revolutionary x-ray technologies across 4 industries:
A new sales approach for the Rover Mobile DR system, a mid-year launch planned for the Argus IED camera, as well as sharing significant progress in airport security and CT scanning.
The Micro-X debut attendance at the annual #RSNA conference, attracted the attention of Aunt Minnie. The RSNA is the largest radiology conference in the year attended by radiologist specialists from around the world.
Aunt Minnie.com, reports on latest news in medical imaging for radiologists and related medical professionals through a comprehensive community internet site and is the world’s largest radiology magazine. Micro-X ‘s new portable DR Mobile X ray unit, Rover, designed for use in hospitals and home care, features exclusive NEX technology, which is clearly explained in the Aunt Minnie review.
View the full article – Aunt Minnie Article – Micro-X RSNA
Micro-X is once again present at Arab Health 2022 in The United Arab Emirates, at the Dubai Trade Centre from Jan 24-27th in a new partnership with Leader Healthcare.
The Micro-X feature product, Rover Mobile-X-ray machine, has all the premium features of best-in-class mobile units, with a very small size and weight of < 100kgs . This is made possible by Micro-X’s patented carbon nanotube NEX Technology used to create the X-rays. The Rover X-ray machine is light, quiet, easy to move, fits into tight spaces and is motor-free with long battery life.
Innovation does not stop there.
The Rover mobile X-ray machine has an articulating arm that makes positioning a breeze rather than the tricky column structures of conventional mobile units.
The X-ray head features tusks where light and fingertip collimation adjustments are possible providing superior SID and magnification efficacy, without the operator leaving the field of view.
It also has remarkable ground clearance, so with its lightweight can be transported across uneven terrain using a wheelie bar as a gentle lever.
This unsurpassed X-ray technology has exceptional ergonomics in a footprint about one-sixth the size of other mobile systems.
Leader Healthcare is distributing the Rover Mobile X-ray machine in UAE. Micro -X personnel will be present on the Leader Healthcare booth, Booth F10 Hall #4 to provide our expertise with this new carbon nanotube technology.
Arab Health attracts 3590 exhibitors from more than 60 countries and this year expects more than 56 000 attendees live. Visitors come from the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain), Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe.
More information can be found at www.arabhealthonline.com
Micro-X corporate debut at Radiological Society of North America Conference 28 Nov to 2 Dec
Micro-X Ltd is pleased to provide this update on commercialisation of three of its Product Lines following highly successful participation at three important trade shows held in North America. The Company’s international debut under its own branding became a highlight of the Radiological Society of North America’s (RSNA) 107th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting as it showcased its innovative cold-cathode x-ray technology and products to wide acclaim in Chicago. In the same week the ‘Micro-X Argus’ x-ray camera became the talk of the US Bomb Technicians Association (USBTA) Technology Tradeshow in Florida and the Future Travel Experience Conference in Las Vegas Micro-X has engaged directly with airports managers and airlines leaders to place self-service checkpoints at the centre of the future travel experience.
Key Points
- Micro-X Mobile DR range launched to high acclaim as a cutting edge manufacturer on the world radiology stage
- Exhibiting at the 107th annual meeting of RSNA – the largest radiological conference in the world
- Current and future products showcased – this range attracted high interest from a large number of delegates, many with multiple visits and referrals from other delegates
- Meetings with global X-Ray companies to become OEM partners and over 60 American and European dealers interested in becoming Micro-X distributors
- Micro-X Argus presented at the USBTA in Florida to US Military, US Federal Law Enforcement and many US state and local police forces – seven key agencies have now requested demonstrations in early 2022
- Global airline and airport managers at the Future Travel Experience Conference in Las Vegas welcomed Micro-X’s miniature baggage CT scanner and endorsed TSA’s self-service checkpoint concept
- Each conference has generated strong commercial interest and an increasing sales pipeline
Micro-X becomes the talk of RSNA – Largest Global Radiology Tradeshow
Micro-X was pleased to make its debut under the Micro-X brand as an exhibitor at the 107th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of RSNA between 28 November and 2 December 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The RSNA Annual Meeting is the largest global radiology tradeshow and a key event in the radiology industry, attracting respected radiology experts, potential purchasers, and industry exhibitors from across the globe. The theme for RSNA 2021 was ‘Redefining Radiology’ and it showcased new ideas and technologies that are redefining the future of the radiology field.
As part of an updated Go-to-Market strategy led by Charlie Hicks, General Manager of the Mobile DR Business Unit, Micro-X is seeking to brand itself in the radiology market as an innovator with a range of cutting-edge imaging products. The exhibition booth included a demonstration area with both a bed and a neonatal intensive care crib to allow visitors to experience first-hand the ease of movement and alignment of the mobile- x-ray machines.
The number of delegates attending the Micro-X booth far exceeded management expectations with many repeat visitors and others attending the booth after colleagues had urged them to do so. The level of discussions and feedback at the booth and post-conference events from radiology professionals and industry professionals was overwhelmingly positive. The small size of the Micro-X cold-cathode carbon nanotube x-ray tubes astounded many and a novel, clear-skinned exhibit of Rover’s articulation and imaging components drew much admiration for its elegant simplicity and quality. The biggest drawcard at the booth was a mock-up of the future Brain CT Scanner which became a focus of considerable attention and drew a crowd of interested delegates each day, emphasising the unprecedented miniaturisation capability of Micro-X’s carbon nanotube technology.
The team of nine Micro-X sales and management executives had to work very hard to service the volume of visitors to the booth and had a number of meetings including with every major multi-national X-Ray company; every major detector company; a dozen large systems integrators and over 60 dealers from the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East. There were also a large number of product demonstrations with potential customers and clinicians.
Supporting the brand image of innovation, Micro-X used the RSNA exhibition to announce a lifetime (ten year) warranty on its medical x-ray tubes. Unprecedented in the industry, this was well received and underlined the Company’s confidence in its new technology and products. Also launched at the exhibition was a re-branding to emphasise the versatility of the different variants of our mobile DR x-ray machines:
- Micro-X | Pico – Acute hospitals & temporary facilities
- Micro-X | Neo – Specialist paediatric & neo-natal ICU x-ray
- Micro-X | Rover – Rugged version for a range of non-hospital applications
- Military deployed hospitals and humanitarian aid
- In-home for Door-to-door service
- Veterinary for Small-animal hospitals
Post-RSNA the sales team is rapidly following-up the many potential customer discussions and distributor interest for the Micro-X range of Mobile DR x-ray machines in order to translate into stronger sales for this year and into 2022.
Micro-X Argus introduced to US Bomb Technicians Association – Florida Tradeshow
Micro-X exhibited its ‘Micro-X Argus’ x-ray IED camera at the US Bomb Technicians Association’s Technology Tradeshow in Florida on 30th November and 1st December. The Micro-X Argus attracted huge interest from US Federal Government and State Police bomb squad attendees with many new potential customers seeking information and discussing the technology. A Senior Federal-level Public Safety Bomb Technician said to the Micro-X sales team that “This product is what we have been looking for, and waiting for, for years”.
Micro-X has already received seven requests for customer demonstrations of the Micro-X Argus to commence from early 2022 from Federal Law Enforcement Agencies, Military EOD teams and police forces across the US.
Micro-X’s Miniature CT Baggage Scanner the missing link in Aviation Security
Micro-X attended the Future Travel Experience Conference in Las Vegas on 7-9 December which attracted many delegates from airlines, airports and government aviation and security regulators world-wide. The future of air travel is to become a “seamless and touchless passenger journey” from when the passenger enters the airport to when they leave at their destination; this future is already becoming reality, and this was the focus of the conference. The conference featured numerous vendors providing unique automation solutions throughout the airport.
The Micro-X Miniature CT baggage scanner is a key element to deliver this future airport vision as it provides a unique solution to the most challenging and invasive point in the passenger’s journey. The US Department of Homeland Security’s contract with Micro-X Inc. for a Miniature CT Baggage Scanner was of great interest to all delegates and many conversations with delegates made it clear that airlines and airports want to move much faster than government to introduce this technology and transform the passenger experience. The very positive feedback and scale of interest at this conference will help support a strong sales pipeline for the Micro-X CT baggage scanner and Checkpoint solution. This will allow Micro-X to fast-track commercialisation of the Checkpoint CT Scanner which was described by many delegates as the ‘missing link’ in developing more passenger-friendly security in airports.
Micro-X’s Managing Director, Peter Rowland, commented:
“Over two short weeks in the USA we have been overwhelmed by the impact our technology and products have made on the industries and customers at these three radiology, security and aviation tradeshows. I was able to see firsthand that we really have very strong customer pull and offer the potential to change their markets in a major way. In particular, the RSNA Annual Meeting was a huge success for Micro-X as we were able to showcase the innovation, quality and performance of our amazing radiology platforms. The number of companies seeking to do business with us stands witness to our future potential establishing ourselves as a manufacturer leading a revolution in X-ray. We could not have been happier with the response and interest levels across the RSNA conference as well as the number of high-quality meetings we held with customers and potential partners.
We remain focused on rapidly turning all of this interest into larger customer pipelines and most importantly sales.”
Adelaide company Micro-X (MX1) has started developing a small CT brain scanner that can be fitted in ambulances and emergency aircraft. If successful, the device will allow paramedics and retrieval teams to diagnose and then start treating stroke patients in the golden hour – the first hour after a stroke.
Today Micro-X signed a Project Agreement that will unlock $8 million of funding from a $40 million grant awarded to the Australian Stroke Alliance under the Australian Government’s Frontier Health and Medical Research initiative. The funding will contribute to the development of the scanner for patient imaging trials in 2023.
This year, stroke will affect more than 15 million people worldwide – 5 million will die and another 5 million will be permanently disabled. In Australia, there are about 38,000 stroke events annually, or more than 100 a day.
“Your best chance of surviving a stroke lies in the first hour after the attack – the so-called “Golden Hour,” Professor Stephen Davis, AO, from the Australian Stroke Alliance, said.
“Detecting and starting treatment within that timeframe gives patients a much better chance of surviving and recovering with limited brain damage,” he said.
“This scanner would allow us to determine the type of stroke in minutes and start treatment on the way to hospital,” Graeme Rayson, Operations Manager, SA Ambulance Service (SAAS), said.
“An aeromedical stroke unit would potentially save hours in time to diagnosis for remote patients, enabling our teams to fly to a community, scan the patient and start treatment immediately on the plane en route to a hospital,” Dr Mardi Steere, Executive General Manager of Medical and Retrieval Services, Royal Flying Doctor Service (Central Operations) said.
While some health services have Mobile Stroke Units (MSUs) – fully-equipped, custom-built specialist vehicles that accommodate a built-in, conventional CT scanner and specialist acute stroke personnel – these cost more than $1 million each and require reinforcement to support the weight of the CT scanner plus they are dedicated to stroke imaging.
These have delivered good patient outcomes, but the conventional CT technology’s size, weight, cost and workflow mean MSUs will always be relatively rare, particularly in rural and regional communities.
Micro-X’s technology by contrast, has the potential to turn every ambulance into a stroke-capable ambulance.
“We have invented an electronic X-ray tube” said Peter Rowland, Managing Director of Micro-X. “It’s already in use in mobile X-ray units in hospital emergency and ICU rooms. We will create a small arc using a number of these patented X-ray tubes, and a curved detector developed in partnership with Fujifilm, to create a compact and robust CT scanner with no moving parts that could be installed in every ambulance” he said.
The project is made possible thanks to Micro-X’s carbon nanotube (CNT) emitter technology.
Micro-X has successfully completed initial imaging studies with the Melbourne Brain Centre.
The second stage of the collaboration will continue the development and refinement of the device with the intention of conducting patient imaging trials in approximately three years.
Micro-X will build on established relationships with Fujifilm, the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA, the MADA Monash University Health Collab team and the Melbourne Brain Centre at Royal Melbourne Hospital. Micro-X is also sending an employee to the Johns Hopkins University as a PhD candidate from Flinders University for three years.
“We are excited to be at the forefront in developing technology which has the potential to radically transform health care for all Australians,” Rowland said.
“This unique collaboration puts Australia and the Australian Stroke Alliance at the forefront of global best practice in stroke care which may be adopted as the new standard for stroke diagnosis and management,” Professor Stephen Davis, AO, from the Australian Stroke Alliance, said.
For further Information
Tennille Reed, Strategic Marketing Manager, Micro-X, treed@micro-x.com, 0428 271 243
Micro-X and its US subsidiary is working with the US government to develop a passenger self-screening airport checkpoint portal, which will combine the traditional, sequential airport checkpoint processes into a consolidated module.
“We are delighted to be working with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop this new security system that will both make air travel a more enjoyable and safer experience,” said Peter Rowland, Managing Director of Micro-X.
The Airport Security Portal will combine existing self-service technologies such as automated document scanning and validation, photometric identity checking, and millimetre-wave body scanning with a miniature, self-service x-ray scanner for carry-on bags and personal property.
The project is made possible by carbon nanotube emitter technology invented and developed by Micro-X that dramatically reduces the size of x-ray tubes and imaging devices.
Conventional three-dimensional x-ray baggage scanners are far too large to make a self-service security portal practical.
Micro-X signed two contracts with the DHS last week that establish it as lead contractor in a team of innovative companies from around the world to develop the security portal.
They include Melbourne-based Elenium Automation, a leader in many elements of airport passenger workflow automation, a European leader in millimetre-wave on-person screening technology which enables high-resolution scanning of passengers in real-time as they move, and Sandia National Labs in Albuquerque, a US Government Laboratory which has developed an Open Architecture integrated airport checkpoint management system based on conventional screening technology.
Micro-X will also be supported by Monash University Design team and The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) of the US, which will guide the security and safety requirements of the system.
The project will be managed in Seattle within a newly created, independent, Micro-X Business Unit led by General Manager Dr Brian Gonzales.
“These DHS contracts are transformational for Micro-X and represents the culmination of many years of amazing work by Dr Gonzales and the team, in developing new concepts for improving x-ray imaging for aviation security,” said Rowland.
“It is also a tribute to Micro-X’s customer-centric design philosophy to be selected for this major new systems design and integration project.
“Every traveller has got airport security horror stories to tell and it is exciting that this innovative international team, led by Micro-X, is now positioned to improve future air travel for all stakeholders.”
Micro-X is defining the future of x-ray imaging.
Micro-X is the first company in the world to design and manufacture a mobile X-ray machine using NEX Technology. Their patented NEX Technology uses carbon nanotubes to create a more stable, yet smaller and lighter X-ray tube that now comes with a ‘Tubes for Life’ warranty.
The reliability of NEX Technology means Micro-X customers will enjoy the benefits from cutting-edge technology with the assurance of long-lasting tube performance.
The ‘Tubes for Life’ warranty is a non-transferrable warranty designed to cover the X-ray tube installed in each Micro-X mobile X-ray machine.
NEX Technology is a simple, non-glass-based electronic X-ray tube and enables Micro-X to produce a more stable, yet smaller and lighter X-ray tube which in turn reduces the weight, and size, of their mobile X-ray machines.
The first generation of these mobile X-rays machines are already used in over 31 countries worldwide.
For hospitals, the “Tubes for Life” warranty means peace of mind when choosing their next mobile X-ray machine knowing they can benefit from improved system availability and uptime.
At the 2021 RSNA Annual Meeting, Micro-X is presenting their latest models of their revolutionary mobile X-ray machine:
- PICO offers full medical performance suitable for use in all areas of a hospital including more specialized and demanding environments such as an Emergency Department or Operating Theatre
- NEO is a modified PICO for use in neonatal and pediatric applications.
Micro-X is also offering their Rover mobile X-ray machine at the 2021 RSNA Annual Meeting, all with NEX Technology inside.
Charlie Hicks, General Manager Mobile DR says, “Micro-X is defining the future of X-ray imaging, similar to how LED’s have replaced traditional glass filament light bulbs, I truly believe that NEX technology is the future of X-ray imaging. We are so confident in the reliability and performance of this new tube technology that we are willing to back it with our incredible Tubes for Life warranty.”
Meet PICO, NEO and Charlie at the Micro-X stand, South Hall, stand #4517 during the RSNA Annual Meeting or go to www.micro-x.com/rsna2021 for more information.
Download the press release (word doc)
Press Contact:
Tennille Reed, Strategic Marketing Manager, Micro-X, treed@micro-x.com, 0428 271 243