Technology is reshaping modern healthcare, not through buzzwords or big promises, but by quietly improving the way care is delivered. Hospitals and clinics are gaining tools that allow for more accurate diagnoses, shorter waiting times, and safer procedures, all essential in the shift toward patient-centered, value-based care. Among the many innovations driving this shift is a remarkable example of cross-sector collaboration: a medical imaging breakthrough that began in outer space.
How space tech found its way into hospitals
Nuclivision, a start-up based in Belgium, is applying image processing techniques originally developed for satellites to improve medical scans here on Earth. These techniques, first used by OHB-Hellas to analyze data from space, are now helping radiologists get clearer PET scan images faster and with less radiation exposure for patients.
PET scans are crucial in diagnosing cancer, brain disorders, and other serious conditions. But they can be time-consuming and costly, and they expose patients to radioactive substances. Nuclivision’s software helps solve all three problems by sharpening image quality while reducing the time and radiation needed for each scan.
Hospitals benefit too. Shorter scan times mean more patients can be seen each day, while lower doses cut costs and reduce health risks.
Real impact, growing market
The improvements this technology brings are practical and measurable:
- Lower costs: Hospitals spend less on radiotracers and equipment time.
- Better safety: Patients receive smaller doses of radioactive material.
- Faster scans: A 35% increase in patient throughput is possible.
- Sharper images: High-quality visuals lead to more reliable diagnoses.
These gains arrive at a critical moment. The global market for PET scans, worth $2.8 billion in 2023, is expected to grow to $4.3 billion by 2030. Technologies that increase speed and efficiency without sacrificing accuracy are well-positioned to meet this rising demand.
Making the most out of space technology
None of this would be possible without funding. Innovation needs more than good ideas, it needs support to get off the ground. Nuclivision’s work is backed by Spark Funding, an ESA program managed by Verhaert that helps translate space technologies into useful tools for everyday life.
This type of support is essential to bridging the gap between an interesting intuition and a successful product. It allows companies to test, refine, and scale their solutions while building a viable business model.
Verhaert’s role in cross-sector innovation
Technology transfer can be complex, success depends not just on technical compatibility but on understanding the needs of new markets. Verhaert Strategic Innovation supports organizations through this process by helping them assess where existing research, often developed in space or high-tech sectors, might serve practical purposes in other fields. Their experience, including long-standing work with the European Space Agency, offers valuable insight into how to adapt and apply advanced technologies in settings like healthcare.
By taking a collaborative, tailored approach, Verhaert works with companies to identify opportunities, overcome technical barriers, and align innovations with real-world applications. The goal is to reduce development risk, improve adoption, and make better use of existing research and investment.
Lessons from a successful technology transfer
Technology developed for space missions is now helping to improve medical imaging on the ground. Nuclivision’s use of satellite imaging techniques to enhance PET scans shows how existing research can be repurposed to meet urgent healthcare needs, reducing costs, improving patient safety, and making diagnostics more efficient. This progress was supported by Verhaert’s Spark initiative, which plays a vital role in bridging the gap between technical innovation and real-world application.
This example speaks to a larger point: meaningful innovation often comes not from starting from scratch, but from recognizing where proven technologies can solve new problems. With the right guidance and support, these kinds of transfers can create a lasting impact, not just for companies but for the sectors and people they serve.
If you’re exploring how to apply space or deep-tech solutions in your field, consider partnering with experts who can help turn promising ideas into practical outcomes.
Update
The company recently raised €5m in venture capital funding to expand the product portfolio and to scale its solutions in new countries.
