Imagine getting a full 3D X-ray picture without having to rotate the scanner around the patient or sample — just one quick snap, like a smartphone photo but in three dimensions. That's what this project does: it uses a special sensor that reads not just the brightness of X-rays but also the direction they're traveling, so one exposure gives you depth information. The result is dramatically less radiation and much faster imaging. The team at Imagine Optic built two working prototypes — one for looking at biological cells and another for scanning small animals — and spent this project figuring out how to turn them into products that labs and clinics can actually buy.
Current X-ray imaging — from medical CT scanners to lab microscopes — requires multiple exposures from different angles to build a 3D picture, which means high radiation doses and slow scan times. For pharma companies running animal studies, this limits throughput; for hospitals, it means unnecessary patient exposure. There is strong market demand for technology that delivers 3D imaging in one shot with dramatically lower radiation.
Two X-ray Light-Field camera prototypes (at ~0.4 keV for cell imaging and ~17 keV for small animal imaging) were built in the prior VOXEL project. This project focused on turning them into pre-commercial products through market analysis, end-user testing, patent and regulation review, and commercial strategy for Imagine Optic.
If you are a CRO or pharma R&D lab dealing with the need to repeatedly image small animals during drug trials — this project developed an X-ray camera working at ~17 keV that captures 3D images in a single acquisition. That means fewer scans per animal, lower radiation exposure to subjects, and faster throughput in your imaging facility.
If you are a medical imaging OEM dealing with pressure to reduce patient radiation dose — this project explored X-ray wavefront sensor technology at 25-30 keV for medical imaging. The single-acquisition 3D capability could eliminate the need for multi-angle CT rotations, cutting dose and scan time. Imagine Optic, the SME behind this, is actively seeking commercial partners.
If you run a cell biology imaging lab dealing with slow, high-dose X-ray microscopy — this project developed a prototype working at ~0.4 keV specifically for biological cell imaging. A single acquisition replaces multiple exposures, speeding up your workflow and reducing sample damage from radiation.
The project had a total EU contribution of EUR 100,000 as a Coordination and Support Action, focused on market analysis and pre-commercialization strategy rather than hardware development. The prototypes were built under the prior FET-Open VOXEL project. Based on available project data, pricing for the pre-commercial products is not disclosed.
The project objective explicitly states that Imagine Optic sees X-ray imaging with wavefront sensors becoming an important business activity. The project focused on understanding market requirements and adapting prototypes to end-user needs. Scaling to clinical volumes at 25-30 keV was identified as a target but would require further product development.
Imagine Optic SA is the sole partner and likely holds the IP from both this project and the prior VOXEL project. The project specifically analyzed existing patents and regulatory risks as part of its market strategy. Licensing discussions would go directly through Imagine Optic in France.
The project plan included testing prototype changes during collaboration with potential clients. The deliverable description mentions refining products based on client needs to reach pre-commercial status by end of the project (June 2021). Based on available project data, specific test results are not published.
The project explicitly included regulatory risk analysis as a deliverable. For the medical imaging application at 25-30 keV, clinical use would require medical device certification (CE marking, potentially FDA). The preclinical and cell biology applications face fewer regulatory barriers.
The key differentiator is single-acquisition 3D imaging versus conventional CT which requires rotating an X-ray source around the subject from many angles. This translates to significantly lower radiation dose and real-time imaging capability, as stated in the project objective.
This is a single-partner project run entirely by Imagine Optic SA, a French SME specializing in wavefront sensor technology. The 100% industry composition with no university or research institute partners signals a clear commercial intent — the company is using this EUR 100,000 CSA to move existing lab prototypes toward market. The fact that a private company is the sole coordinator shows strong ownership of the commercialization path, though the absence of clinical or research partners may slow validation in medical settings.
Imagine Optic SA is a French SME — their commercial team can be reached through their company website for licensing or partnership inquiries.
Want an introduction to the Imagine Optic team to discuss licensing their low-dose 3D X-ray technology? SciTransfer can arrange a direct meeting with the right people.
