I think you might be misunderstanding what 4DMedical's products do. They aren't 'cameras that promise more megapixels or cloud connectivity', it's a whole new way of using the concept of x-ray to see 'lung function' rather than still lung images. This is done by a process called 'x-ray velocimetry', which 4DMedical owns the patent of, and is the only company in the world to do. 4DMedical brands it XV technology.
Velocity is part of physics that measures the movement of gas or liquid in a space. You fire a laser from an angle at said gas or liquid in little bursts, take pictures or a video of the light bouncing back at the same time, and you can see the microscopic particles moving. See example below. A bit like a laser in a nightclub picking up the smoke.
4DMedical invented a way of using x-rays instead of lasers for inside the body, with the x-ray taken from multiple angles to see the microscopic particles moving inside the lungs, blood vessels, etc, in the same way a laser picks up the microscopic particles in air or water.
This was made possible by the advancements in x-ray technology that now provide extremely detailed images alongside the advancements in digital imaging.
As the technology gets more advanced X-ray velocimetry should have the capacity show the movement of any liquid or gas moving in the body.
What does this mean for CYC? X-ray velocimetry removes the need for any contrast agents such as Technegas, when taking images of the lungs. The same image can happen on the CT scanner and patients don't need to go to a nuclear facility. Hospitals that don't have nuclear facilities can get comparable images on their CT scanners. It's far easier. It's also cheaper, quicker, no need to dispose of nuclear waste, the list goes on.
Is it better than Technegas? It would only need to be comparable to completely negate the need for Technegas. It does seem to be slightly better, although true comparison studies have not been done yet.
You know the phrase 'build a better mousetrap, and the world will beat a path to your door'? X-ray velocimetry is that better mousetrap.
Is it commercialised? Yes, but not as much as Technegas. Right now it is being piloted by Technegas' own hero customer, the Department of Defence, in the same hospital that just installed Technegas. Results are pending, but early signs are very good. If the DoD start using it, they will stop using Technegas before they have fully adopted it, and it will pretty much prove 'x-ray velocimetry is better than Technegas. We will know that later this year.
Two products are available right now through every Philips CT scanner in the whole of the US, and come September its 'hero' product CT:VQ will be available that way too. For doctors, it's just a click away.
Yes, the roll-out of Technegas will continue as it continues to disrupt Xenon, but at the same time, Technegas
itself is being disrupted by a superior technology, x-ray velocimetry.
Thanks for reading! Best of luck with your investing!
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