Revolutionary AI Imaging Technology Reduces Radiation Exposure by 99%

Fri 18th Jul, 2025

Researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have introduced an innovative AI-driven technique that reconstructs detailed 3D models of bones and organs using minimal X-ray images, significantly decreasing patient radiation exposure by up to 99% when compared to traditional CT scans.

This cutting-edge development not only prioritizes patient safety but also promises to lower costs and reduce waiting times. It holds the potential for various applications, including surgical planning, real-time imaging, and the creation of personalized implants. The HKUST team is collaborating with industry partners like Koln 3D Technology, a company specializing in bone printing, to integrate this technology into public healthcare facilities.

CT scans are widely utilized in medical diagnostics for a range of conditions, guiding surgical interventions, and producing 3D orthopedic and anatomical models for complex cases such as fractures, deformities, and tumors. However, the high radiation exposure associated with CT scans is particularly concerning for vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, and elderly patients requiring ongoing monitoring.

The research team, led by Professor Li Xiaomeng from the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, has developed a novel algorithm that can generate high-quality 3D images of bones and anatomical structures in less than one minute with only 2 to 4 X-ray images--compared to the 400 to 500 typically required for a CT scan. This advancement offers several key benefits:

  • Safer Imaging: Reduces radiation exposure by 95% to 99%.
  • Rapid Results: Produces high-quality 3D images in under a minute.
  • Cost Efficiency: X-ray scans are significantly less expensive than CT scans, which can cost six to eight times more.
  • Reduced Waiting Times: Patients in public hospitals currently wait about three weeks for a CT scan, while X-ray scans can be performed within hours.

In order to maximize the impact of this breakthrough, Professor Li's team is working alongside Koln 3D to incorporate the AI imaging technology into pre-surgical planning, allowing for the creation of customized bone models and real-time surgical navigation. The demand for 3D printing solutions in orthopedics is substantial, and the rapid, high-precision imaging technology is expected to significantly enhance surgical workflows.

Professor Li noted the diverse applications of this new technology, stating that it is already aiding surgeons in preoperative planning, with future goals of producing implantable bone structures and further improving imaging accuracy beyond the current 97% benchmark compared to conventional CT scans.

Edmond Yau, the Founder and CEO of Koln 3D, emphasized that the collaboration with HKUST addresses a major challenge in the medical field: time. Previously, creating a single implant required extensive CT scans and manual modeling, compounded by lengthy wait times for CT scan services. With the new technology, 3D bone models can be generated using just two X-ray images in under 30 seconds, which is transformative for patients needing urgent medical interventions.

Dr. TSE Lung Fung, a Specialist in Orthopedics & Traumatology, highlighted the revolutionary nature of this technology, particularly for patients who have undergone multiple CT scans for monitoring purposes. The new approach enables significant reductions in radiation exposure while maintaining high accuracy levels. Furthermore, this technology can facilitate the design of custom implants tailored to individual patient anatomy within minutes, promoting faster recovery.

A public hospital is expected to validate this technology in the upcoming months, and if successful, it may be incorporated into the public healthcare system as early as next year. The research team is also seeking partnerships with additional hospitals to explore applications in cardiac and pulmonary imaging, aiming to redefine standards for safer, faster diagnostics and enhance surgical planning and intraoperative care.


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