Full Breakdown
Chinese Researchers Unveil World’s Smallest Portable CT Scanner
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World-First Palm-Sized CT Device
Chinese scientists have introduced the Xtomo-Cube, a CT scanner that is roughly the size of a desktop speaker and weighs only 6 kg (13.2 lb). Built by Rayim, a company based in Shandong province, the system is marketed as the “palm-sized CT scanner,” the smallest and lightest of its kind globally.
Design and Technical Specifications
The Xtomo-Cube achieves a spatial resolution of 80 µm—about the width of a human hair—allowing it to capture fine internal details of very small objects. Liu Baodong, a senior engineer at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and general manager of Rayim, explained that the device can be held in one hand and is capable of scanning items ranging from snail shells to pharmaceutical capsules.
Intended Scientific Uses
According to the developers, the portable scanner is aimed at fields that require high-resolution imaging of minute specimens, such as paleontology, archaeology, and materials science. Its lightweight form factor enables researchers to bring CT imaging directly to excavation sites or laboratories lacking large, fixed-install scanners.
Official Commentary
Liu Baodong told the Science and Technology Daily that the Xtomo-Cube’s combination of portability and fine resolution represents a “significant step forward” for on-site analysis of delicate artifacts. He emphasized that the system’s ease of handling could broaden access to CT technology for institutions with limited space or funding.
Outlook
The announcement positions China at the forefront of miniaturized imaging technology. While commercial availability and pricing have not been disclosed, the developers suggest that the scanner could soon be deployed in field studies and academic research projects, potentially accelerating discoveries in disciplines that rely on detailed internal imaging of small objects.