Adaptix begins live clinical trials looking to track rheumatoid arthritis
Imaging technology company Adaptix has begun live imaging trials as part of a research programme at the University of Exeter. Patients suspected of having rheumatoid arthritis will be the first in the country to use its Adaptix Ortho350 digital tomosynthesis technology to help diagnose and track the progression of the disease in their hands.
The portable device offers 3D imaging at a similar cost and radiation dose to traditional 2D x-rays, and it is hoped that the more detailed images will help clinicians speed up diagnosis and improve ongoing management of the condition. Adaptix chief medical officer Dr Siân Phillips said: “Up to 30 per cent of people with early rheumatoid arthritis are missed when diagnosed using 2D x-rays, but more detailed 3D imaging – such as MRI and CT scans – is expensive and waiting lists can be long. The compact design and lower radiation and power requirements of the Adaptix Ortho350 make 3D imaging much more accessible for clinicians and patients alike.”
Funded by Innovate UK, the trial will evaluate performance in diagnostic potential, effective measurement of joint spaces and evaluation of bone density in patients with inflammatory arthritis. Trial lead and director of MSK imaging at the University of Exeter Professor Karen Knapp said: “The Adaptix Ortho350 promises much greater visualisation of bone and joints, meaning the signs of arthritic inflammation and subtle changes such as joint erosion could be picked up and managed at an earlier stage. Our trial will focus on adults with suspected rheumatoid arthritis of the hand, with participants being scanned with both the Adaptix Ortho350 and traditional 2D x-rays to assess and compare each imaging modality’s performance.”
The trial is supported by Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, with participants recruited from the rheumatology service, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research Exeter Biomedical Research Centre.
Picture: Emma Carnell is the first participant in the Adaptix University of Exeter clinical trial.
Read this report on page 3 of the January 2026 issue of RAD Magazine.
