University of Otago and GE Healthcare partner on medical imaging

Medical technology company GE Healthcare has signed a partnership agreement with the University of Otago’s Centre for Bioengineering & Nanomedicine to work together on medical imaging technology projects.

The Centre for Bioengineering was involved in the development of the MARS colour scanner, which is likely to revolutionise medical imaging. The scanner features technology which helped identify the Higgs Boson particle.

Published research so far shows the scanner can quantify components of atherosclerotic, or cardiac, plaques which can often be fatal if undetected. Traditional scanning only measures the size of plaques - not their make-up - but the scanner can also assess fusion of metallic implants with bone.

The Chief Executive of GE Healthcare Australia, Michael Ackland, says he is delighted the agreement has come about - in no small way attributable to the groundbreaking work of the Centre for Bioengineering, particularly in the areas of MARS spectral imaging.

“Having the University of Otago as lead partner in Christchurch will allow us to develop key relationships within the city as new infrastructure is built and we hope this will lead to a longer relationship with a number of research groups and companies within Christchurch,” he said.

Centre for Bioengineering director Associate Professor Anthony Butler described the agreement as a watershed moment in the development of medical imaging in Christchurch.

Source