Australia gets world-first new lung scanner
Australia has become the first place in the world to get a special 4D lung scanner which can give medics an "unprecedented insight" into the organs.
The $29 million device is being unveiled today at Sydney's Prince of Wales Hospital.
The new device, called an XV scanner, was created by medical tech firm 4DMedical, and offers a four-dimensional look at the lungs.
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Australia has become the first place in the world to get a special lung scanner which can give medics an "unprecedented insight into the organs." Supplied
It was paid for with the help of $29 million from the Australian Government's Medical Research Future Fund, the company said.
It will detect disease earlier and more accurately monitor chronic respiratory conditions.
Seven million Australians live with or are impacted by lung disease, according to Lung Foundation Australia.
That includes COPD, cystic fibrosis, asthma, and lung cancer, the nation's biggest cancer killer.
The new device, called an XV scanner, was created by medical tech firm 4DMedical, and offers a 'four dimensional' look at the lungs. Supplied
The scanner, developed in Australia, also exposes patients to lower levels of radiation than other devices.
It can help patients who are extremely unwell and can't be scanned by other devices.
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A typical scan of lungs. Getty
4D Medical Managing Director and CEO Dr Andreas Fouras, said: "From the viewpoint of doctors and patients, the scanner represents a seminal event in the global evolution of respiratory diagnoses."
Lung Foundation chief executive Mark Brooke said the device was a "breakthrough in innovation".
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"This new technology promises to revolutionise diagnostic and imaging procedures for a range of lung disease impacting children, adults and older Australians," he said.
Health Minister Greg Hunt was set to unveil it today.
"Every Australian should be proud of this ground-breaking Australian-made medical technology platform," Mr Hunt said.
"The development of the XV Scanner is a wonderful example of Australia again punching above its weight in the world of health and medical research."
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