Multi-Medix secures funded project with the National Physical Laboratory
Multi-Medix has been working on two funded projects with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), after an initial one-month project was extended by a further six months.
These grants from the NPL have allowed us to strengthen the measurement science underpinning the development and manufacture of our ultrasound quality assurance (QA) technology. The first stage of this venture helped Multi-Medix to establish our own in-house acoustic measurement capability, allowing us to conduct speed-of-sound testing. The second is supporting the development of a new ultrasound phantom material designed to more closely replicate the acoustic properties of human tissue.
Building our in-house acoustic measurement capability
Known internally as the ‘Water Tank’ project, with the support of NPL our engineers have been developing equipment and expertise which would allow Multi-Medix to undertake acoustic measurements in our own in-house laboratory.
This allows us to measure and test key properties of our ultrasound phantom material, including the speed of sound and acoustic attenuation (the progressive energy loss of a propagating wave moving through biological tissue, or in this case through the phantom material). Both of these properties are crucial as we develop our range of phantoms, affecting how they appear to an ultrasound system and how they can be used to assess scanner and probe performance.
The assistance from NPL elevates Multi-Medix’s ability to check the consistency of our phantom materials, and verify that these materials are working as intended. As a business focused on QA, we do not underestimate the importance of quality control in our own products, and greatly value the capabilities that this grant has allowed us to build.
Our new in-house acoustic attenuation and speed-of-sound testing capabilities will also support our engineers and physicists as we continue to develop new products, continuing our drive for innovation in the field of ultrasound quality assurance.
This project was supported by an award from NPL’s Measurement for Business programme, and we greatly appreciate the support that NPL have brought.
Strengthening the science behind MULTI-Mode™
This also continues our work on the technology behind MULTI-Mode™, Multi-Medix’s digital solution for ultrasound quality assurance.
MULTI-Mode™ combines the compact MM-1010 Phantom with guided image capture and software-assisted analysis. It enables ultrasound users, clinical engineering teams and service organisations to undertake consistent QA tests, retain digital records and monitor changes in equipment performance over time.
The MM-1010’s distinctive acoustic properties allow it to assess probe penetration depth in a much smaller and more portable format than a conventional phantom. Establishing robust in-house measurement capability helps us to maintain consistency as our product moves into wider manufacture and use.
Through our collaboration with NPL, Multi-Medix is combining its specialist knowledge of diagnostic ultrasound QA with access to world-class measurement science. The result will be greater confidence in our current products, and a strong technical foundation for the next generation of accessible ultrasound QA technology.
We look forward to sharing continued updates as our projects progress.
Click here to learn more about the NPL.
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