Detection Technology enters a research consortium to develop detectors

The consortium aims to develop a mobile cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) concept, which will feature distributed computing and diagnostics. The concept will utilise advanced X-ray detectors, artificial intelligence (AI), and edge-cloud computing.

The main research goal of the three-year project, named TOMOHEAD, is to improve the image quality of the CBCT radiographic imaging method and to increase its calculation efficiency. For enhanced end-user and patient experience, CBCT was selected as it enables small, light-weight, and cost-effective X-ray imaging systems, which come with good spatial resolution and low radiation doses.

In the first phase, Detection Technology will examine the suitability of CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) and IGZO (Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide) detector technologies for the target imaging application. The research scope will also include advanced development of photo-counting detectors, and algorithms and software.

The project is carried out under the leadership of Professor Miika Nieminen from the Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Oulu. Academic project partners include Assistant Professor Erkki Harjula from the University of Oulu Centre for Wireless Communications whose group focuses on the wireless system level architectures for future healthcare, and the research group of Samuli Siltanen, Professor of Industrial Mathematics at the University of Helsinki, which is part of the Centre of Excellence of Inverse Modelling and Imaging.

The project is funded by Business Finland. The total budget for the project is approximately €5.4 million. The share of public funding in the budget is roughly €3 million, of which Business Finland will provide €2.6 million for the consortium. The corporate parties receiving funding through the project are Planmeca and Detection Technology.

The project also includes Nvidia Corp, MVision AI, Disior, Techila Technologies, as well as Pohde as in-kind partners. The project is part of the Nokia Competitive Edge programme.