Nanox Aims to Revolutionize Lung Cancer Detection With AI-Enhanced Tomosynthesis

Medical imaging innovator Nanox is making a strategic push to expand access to affordable, high-quality diagnostics by combining artificial intelligence with its proprietary digital tomosynthesis technology. The company’s flagship device, the Nanox.ARC, offers a compact, multi-source 3D tomosynthesis system designed to make advanced imaging more accessible, particularly in settings where traditional CT infrastructure may be cost-prohibitive or logistically challenging.

The Nanox.ARC system is already showing promise in clinical case studies, with applications ranging from occult fracture visualization and sinus imaging to cast assessment and detection of renal stones. However, one of its most significant potential impacts may lie in lung cancer screening.

Despite well-established screening guidelines aimed at detecting early-stage lung cancer, uptake remains low. Fewer than 25% of high-risk individuals undergo recommended CT screenings, and only about 3% are compliant with annual screening protocols. This underutilization is a major barrier to early diagnosis, which is critical for improving survival outcomes.

Nanox sees an opportunity to bridge this gap by leveraging digital tomosynthesis (DTS), a lower-cost and lower-radiation alternative to CT. According to the company, DTS offers an 85% sensitivity and 95% specificity for detecting pulmonary nodules measuring 5 mm or larger. It dramatically outperforms traditional chest X-ray, which has sensitivity and specificity rates of 47% and 37%, respectively.

To further enhance the technology’s utility, Nanox is developing an artificial intelligence algorithm designed to assist in pulmonary nodule detection. The AI will act as a clinical decision support tool, flagging potential nodules on DTS images and enabling radiologists to review and validate each finding. The final output would be an AI-annotated 3D tomosynthesis series, potentially improving diagnostic accuracy while reducing variability and shortening the learning curve for new users.

The integration of AI with Nanox’s digital tomosynthesis platform could represent a significant advancement in lung cancer detection, offering a scalable and accessible solution for both incidental and programmatic screening. If successfully implemented, this approach may help redefine early detection strategies, especially in underserved areas with limited access to CT technology.

By targeting both technological and systemic barriers to screening, Nanox is positioning its platform as more than just another imaging device. It aims to be a catalyst for shifting the standard of care in preventive medicine.