The role of industrial microfocus CT in medical device research and development
- 1Department of Next Generation Endoscopic Intervention (Project ENGINE), The University of Osaka Graduate School of Medicine
- 2Castem Co., LTD
- 3Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, The University of Osaka Graduate School of Medicine
Abstract
Industrial microfocus computed tomography (µCT) enables nondestructive, high-resolution three-dimensional imaging at the micrometer scale and has been widely used in various industrial fields. However, its practical utility in medical device research and development (R&D) has not been systematically evaluated. Here, we investigated the applicability of µCT in medical device R&D by categorizing its use into two domains: device–device interactions and device–tissue interactions. For device–device interactions, µCT was applied to endoscopic forceps plugs and laparoscopic port cleaning devices to assess internal structural relationships during device operation. For device–tissue interactions, µCT was applied to rectal/uterine clamping devices, magnesium implants, and endoscopic mucosal closure devices to evaluate tissue responses and device-induced structural changes. Across these applications, µCT enabled nondestructive, high-resolution visualization of internal structural relationships that were difficult to assess using conventional methods. In device–device interaction analyses, µCT delineated contact configurations and deformation behavior within assembled devices under operational conditions. In device–tissue interaction analyses, µCT enabled visualization and three-dimensional quantification of subtle device-induced tissue deformation, as well as small gas collections and interfacial microvoids. These findings indicate that industrial µCT represents a useful preclinical evaluation approach in medical device R&D and support both mechanistic understanding of device performance and optimization of medical technologies.
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BibTeX
@article{nagano2026role,
title = {{The role of industrial microfocus CT in medical device research and development}},
author = {Shinnosuke Nagano and Yuji Ishii and Kota Momose and Chihiro Toge and Shigeto Nakai and Takaomi Hagi and Kotaro Yamashita and Takuro Saito and Koji Tanaka and Tomoki Makino and Tsuyoshi Takahashi and Yukinori Kurokawa and Hidetoshi Eguchi and Yuichiro Doki and Kiyokazu Nakajima},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-72093-x},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-72093-x},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The role of industrial microfocus CT in medical device research and development
AU - Shinnosuke Nagano
AU - Yuji Ishii
AU - Kota Momose
AU - Chihiro Toge
AU - Shigeto Nakai
AU - Takaomi Hagi
AU - Kotaro Yamashita
AU - Takuro Saito
AU - Koji Tanaka
AU - Tomoki Makino
AU - Tsuyoshi Takahashi
AU - Yukinori Kurokawa
AU - Hidetoshi Eguchi
AU - Yuichiro Doki
AU - Kiyokazu Nakajima
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/01
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-72093-x
UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-72093-x
AB - Industrial microfocus computed tomography (µCT) enables nondestructive, high-resolution three-dimensional imaging at the micrometer scale and has been widely used in various industrial fields. However, its practical utility in medical device research and development (R&D) has not been systematically evaluated. Here, we investigated the applicability of µCT in medical device R&D by categorizing its use into two domains: device–device interactions and device–tissue interactions. For device–device interactions, µCT was applied to endoscopic forceps plugs and laparoscopic port cleaning devices to assess internal structural relationships during device operation. For device–tissue interactions, µCT was applied to rectal/uterine clamping devices, magnesium implants, and endoscopic mucosal closure devices to evaluate tissue responses and device-induced structural changes. Across these applications, µCT enabled nondestructive, high-resolution visualization of internal structural relationships that were difficult to assess using conventional methods. In device–device interaction analyses, µCT delineated contact configurations and deformation behavior within assembled devices under operational conditions. In device–tissue interaction analyses, µCT enabled visualization and three-dimensional quantification of subtle device-induced tissue deformation, as well as small gas collections and interfacial microvoids. These findings indicate that industrial µCT represents a useful preclinical evaluation approach in medical device R&D and support both mechanistic understanding of device performance and optimization of medical technologies.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -