ASRT Offers Fluoroscopy Safety Series

Fluoroscopy delivers the highest occupational medical radiation dose in the diagnostic imaging profession. Therefore, it is crucial for radiologic technologists to continue to protect themselves and their patients during fluoroscopy procedures. To address this, ASRT has developed a six-part fluoroscopy safety series that provides up-to-date information on fluoroscopy and radiation safety.

The series provides veteran radiologic technologists and newcomers to the profession with the tools to improve their fluoroscopy knowledge, expand their technical skills, achieve educational requirements and limit radiation risks to patients and themselves. The course content is delivered in a text-based, downloadable format, convenient for individuals interested in learning at their own pace.

The comprehensive series features six courses: Radiation Protection of the Eye, Image Quality and Analysis, Operation and Safety of Fixed Units, Radiation Protection and Safety, Regulation and Radiation Protection, and Mobile Unit Operation and Safety.

source: ASRT

WHITIA Announces the Completion of Digital X-ray Pilot Sites in Urban and Rural Guatemala

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WHITIA, a global non-profit social venture focused on bringing affordable healthcare technologies to medical facilities in limited-resource areas, today announced that it has completed two digital X-ray pilot site installations in Guatemala. The organization said that these sites will serve as the model for both urban and rural installations throughout the country.

“We would like to thank our partners, funders and all of the individuals who worked with us to successfully complete these installations,” said Ivy Walker, WHITIA’s CEO. “Many thousands of individuals in urban Guatemala City and rural Rio Hondo now have access to an important, essential healthcare technology through their community medical providers. This technology will be used to significantly improve the delivery of care in the communities served by these medical facilities. We look forward to helping these sites continue to improve their ability to provide quality medical care through the addition of telemedicine. We also look forward to using these sites as models for additional installations.”

The digital X-ray installation at Salud y Bienestar Clinica Municipal in Guatemala City involved the participation of several of WHITIA’s partners including Merge Healthcare which provided the PACS and image management software, Sedecal which provided the digital X-ray system, Carestream Health which donated the computed radiography system (CR) and Kane X-ray which donated personnel to perform the CR and PACS installations.

source: Business Wire

Scale of UK exposure to X-rays revealed

Radiation scientists at the Agency have estimated that about 46 million medical and dental X-ray examinations were carried out across the UK in 2008, an increase of 10 per cent since 1997. About two-thirds, 67 per cent, of the procedures were carried out in NHS hospitals while 26 per cent were performed by dentists.

The new HPA study reveals that the average annual radiation dose to each member of the public from all diagnostic X-rays has increased from 0.33 millisieverts (mSv) in 1997, the last time a detailed frequency survey was completed, to 0.4 mSv. Most of the increase is due to the growth in the number of higher dose CT examinations. Medical X-rays remain the largest single artificial source of radiation exposure for the UK population. The average radiation dose from all sources of ionising radiation remains about 2.7mSv per person year and medical x-rays contribute 15 per cent of this total.

Dr John Cooper, Director of the HPA's Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, said: "Despite the increased use of diagnostic X-rays in medicine in the UK, the average dose to the population is still considerably lower than in comparable countries. This is because in the UK we carry out fewer X-ray examinations per head of population and because radiology departments are well managed by healthcare professionals.

source: HPA

Carestream Health Spotlights Its Proven, Innovative DRX Family With Two Detectors, Three Systems

CHICAGO, Nov. 28 — Carestream Health showcased its award-winning family of detectors and systems based on the wireless, cassette-size CARESTREAM DRX-1 at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. Carestream Health is the only company that can offer a full family of options from CR to wireless, cassette-size detectors for existing x-ray rooms and mobile x-ray systems as well as fully automated DR suites.

In recognition of its innovative technological advances, Carestream Health was named Frost & Sullivan’s 2010 Medical Imaging Company of the year. The company’s DRX-based imaging systems enable healthcare providers worldwide to streamline overall imaging workflow, while simultaneously improving productivity and enhancing patient care. The company has sold more than 1,000 of its DRX-based systems since its highly successful launch.

The company’s current family of DRX imaging solutions includes: the CARESTREAM DRX-1 System, CARESTREAM DRX-Mobile Retrofit kit and CARESTREAM DRX-Evolution suite.

source: Carestream

GE Healthcare Introduces New Wireless Digital Detector Option for X-ray Customers

CHICAGO--29 November 2010-- GE Healthcare announced today the 510k clearance of its next generation wireless, digital X-ray detector at the 96TH annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) in Chicago. GE’s FlashPad is a reliable, long-term investment for future Radiography and Fluoroscopy systems, compatible with a variety of GE X-ray products today and is the only wireless digital detector capable of supporting advanced applications.

Designed for digital use based on customer input, FlashPad is a flexible, wireless detector that features two handles that make it easier to position and maneuver. It is equipped with GE’s most advanced X-ray detector technology, and its unique design provides up to eight percent more coverage for key applications and maintains high image quality at low dose levels. This wireless DR option was engineered to provide high image quality at low dose levels and is capable of being utilized in all routine radiography exams, and specialized areas including, pediatric work, intensive care and trauma, and wherever conventional screen-film systems may be used.

source: GE Healthcare

Long Bone and Sectional Imaging, the DDR Inventor-V Does it All, Brilliantly

A Korean medical company has launched its ambitious digital X-ray system in an effort to bring about ground-breaking innovation in its safety and efficiency for radiologists.

JSB Medics Co., Ltd. is a technology driven Korean manufacturer, specializing in high-performance digital radiography systems. These systems are of good quality and popular with radiologists because they are cost-effective and economical as well as technologically advanced. Since its inception in 2009, JSB Medics has become a global supplier to leading distributors of digital X-ray systems. Its philosophy of ‘delivering high-quality products at an attractive price’ is fairly convincing. JSB Medics has been certified in accordance with ISO9001:2008 / ISO13485:2003.

JSB Medics is now proud to offer the Scan Digital Radiography for Long Body, designed to provide consistently high-quality images with lower x-ray exposure. Advantages include no long size cassette needed, arbitrary image size, maximum 16” x 39” image and great efficiency on chiropractic and orthopedic studies. Advantages of MIC (multi-channel ionization chamber) detector include direct conversion, high fill factor and no dead pixels. Other advantages are no scattering, low dose and low distortion of irradiation.

Most innovatively, JSB’s DR System’s radiation dose is about 1/3 to 1/5 of that of existing film-type or other DRs in general chest imaging. And recently, the ratio has been lowered up to 1/10 with the help of efficiency improvement of its detector.

source: PR Web

Varian Medical Systems to Display Medical X-Ray Tubes and PaxScan® Digital X-Ray Image Detectors at MEDICA 2010 International Trade Fair

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Booth - A78/Hall 10 -- Varian Medical Systems will exhibit its line of PaxScan® digital image detectors and X-ray tubes for fluoroscopy, angiography, cardiology and cone-beam CT imaging at the MEDICA 2010 International Trade Fair in Dusseldorf, Germany from November 17-20.

The Varian booth will showcase several filmless imaging detectors and X-ray tube products, including:

* The PaxScan® 3030+, a 30cm x 30cm real-time digital imaging panel that operates at speeds up to 30 fps, enables physicians to monitor interventional procedures, including placement of catheters within blood vessels, in real-time. The multi-modality panel is also designed for use in cardiovascular imaging systems and surgical C-arms. The 194 micron pixel pitch results in images with high spatial and contrast resolution needed by critical applications such as cardiology and angiography.
* The PaxScan 4336R, a 43cm x 36cm DR panel that is the first ISO 4090 industry standard size panel designed to replace standard film cassettes used in existing radiographic and multi-bucky applications. The panel is also available with a portable hand-held enclosure for use in mobile imaging systems.
* Varian's line of X-ray tubes for medical and dental applications.

source: Varian

Toshiba Introduces the RADREX-i Standard X-Ray System

TUSTIN, Calif., Nov. 16, 2010 – Obtaining advanced diagnostic imaging equipment to improve workflow and provide highly accurate diagnoses in a cost-effective manner is a requirement for healthcare facilities today. To meet this challenge in X-ray imaging, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. introduces the RADREX™-i Standard, a digital radiographic (DR) system to provide technologists with a straightforward, easy-to-use system.

The RADREX-i Standard system allows facilities to stay competitive by replacing film or CR cassette processing with a digital system to increase productivity and diagnostic accuracy. RADREX-i Standard was designed to improve workflow for radiology departments by offering simplified components, including ergonomic, user-friendly controls on the overhead X-ray tube, as well as advanced image processing for increased diagnostic confidence.

“The RADREX-i Standard was designed with simplified components and streamlined features to make it the perfect solution for technologists,” said Doug Ryan, vice president, Marketing and Strategic Development, Toshiba. “Facilities replacing film or CR cassette processing with digital imaging will significantly increase productivity and their ability to obtain high-quality images quickly.”

source: Toshiba

Carestream Health’s New Cesium Iodide DRX-1C Detector Now Available

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Sept. 21 — Carestream Health today announced that its new cesium iodide CARESTREAM DRX-1C detector is now available around the world in countries where it is approved for use. This detector is the latest expansion to the company’s successful family of imaging solutions based on its wireless, cassette-size DR detectors. The new detector delivers exceptional image quality and improved DQE (detective quantum efficiency). It is designed for general radiography exams including orthopedic, trauma, pediatric and other specialty environments.

The new detector is wireless and cassette-size, and uses the same battery and electronics as the popular DRX-1 detector. Like the DRX-1 detector, the DRX-1C is designed to be used with all three DRX-based imaging solutions: the CARESTREAM DRX-Evolution suite, CARESTREAM DRX-1 System and CARESTREAM DRX-Mobile Retrofit kit.

The DRX-Evolution is a modular DR suite that delivers rapid patient throughput with wireless DRX-1C or DRX-1 detectors that provide the ultimate in positioning flexibility. The CARESTREAM DRX-1 system allows healthcare facilities to quickly and cost effectively upgrade existing analog x-ray rooms from film or CR systems to DR technology in less than a day using either of the DRX detectors. The DRX-Mobile retrofit kit equips healthcare providers to quickly and affordably upgrade selected mobile x-ray systems to wireless DRX technology.

source: Carestream

Canon Enhances Digital Radiography Lineup with the New, CXDI-70C Wireless Digital Radiography Detector at Canon EXPO

NEW YORK, September 1, 2010 – Canon Expo 2010 in New York City ushers in a new era of mobility and flexibility, including the addition of the Company's first wireless detector, the CXDI-70C Wireless Digital Radiography System1. Featuring a versatile 14-inch by 17-inch image area, same dimensions ISO 4090 film cassette and cable-free image transfer, the new wireless detector weighs less than 8 pounds-the lightest wireless detector in industry to date-and provides medical practitioners with greater device portability and extraordinary image quality.

Building upon the success of the Canon CXDI-55G/55C DR Systems in the high-performance DR systems market, the CXDI-70C Wireless Digital Radiography System helps deliver fast, reliable high-resolution images. The CXDI-70C Wireless also incorporates a new Canon-developed glass substrate with a pixel pitch of 125 microns and despite realizing a higher resolution as compared with the Company's current 160-micron pixel pitch DR systems, the new model delivers an increased level of sensitivity. In addition, the unit features a Cesium Iodide (CsI) scintillator, which delivers high-quality images while reducing the X-ray exposure to the patient. The CXDI-70C Wireless DR System is an ideal solution for all of radiography systems, including mobile systems.

"Medical professionals can now carry a durable, lightweight standard-size detector without a wire and easily slip it into a table bucky or stand," said Tsuneo Imai, senior director and general manager, Medical Systems Division, Canon U.S.A. "The Canon CXDI-70C Wireless DR System still has many of the benefits and capabilities as other detectors in the Canon Digital Radiography line including previewing high-resolution images within 3-5 seconds after exposure on the new CXDI Control Software NE."

source: Canon

Carestream Health Debuts New DRX-1C Detector

WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 22 — Carestream Health today announced the CARESTREAM DRX-1C detector, the latest expansion to its successful family of imaging solutions based on its wireless, cassette-size DR detectors. The new detector uses a cesium iodide scintillator to deliver exceptional image quality, with DQE (detective quantum efficiency) that is substantially higher than the DRX-1 detector. The DRX-1C was announced and shown at the annual meeting of the American Healthcare Radiology Administrators (AHRA) organization and is expected to be available this fall.

The new detector is wireless and cassette-size, and uses the same battery and electronics as the existing DRX-1 detector. Like the DRX-1 detector, the DRX-1C detector is designed to be used with all three DRX-based imaging solutions: the CARESTREAM DRX-1 System, CARESTREAM DRX-Mobile Retrofit kit and CARESTREAM DRX-Evolution suite.

The CARESTREAM DRX-1 system allows healthcare facilities to quickly and cost effectively upgrade existing analog x-ray rooms from film or CR systems to DR technology in less than a day. The DRX-Mobile retrofit kit equips healthcare providers to quickly and affordably upgrade selected mobile x-ray systems to wireless DRX-1 technology, while the DRX-Evolution is a modular DR suite that delivers rapid patient throughput with wireless DRX-1 detectors that provide the ultimate in positioning flexibility.

source: Carestream

Thinnest, Lightest Detector Now Available

FDA clears Fujifilms FDR D-EVO, providing facilities with smart transition to DR

Stamford, CT. - July 20, 2010 - Imaging facilities looking to convert existing analog x-ray rooms to digital can now benefit from the ease-of-use and exceptional image quality of the FDR D-EVO flat panel cassette from FUJIFILM Medical Systems U.S.A., Inc. Now FDA 510(k) cleared, the FDR D-EVO makes it more convenient to transition to DR with its seamless retrofit that enables facilities to insert the DR detector directly into the existing x-ray table or wall stand without modification.

FDR D-EVO is ideal for any clinical environment, from hospitals to imaging centers to private practices. At just six pounds, this 14 x 17 cassette-sized detector is the lightest-weight of its kind, and provides portability to address lateral or other cassette-based exams as needed; it can even be used as a complement in existing DR rooms such as for cross-table exams. This flexibility also makes the FDR D-EVO ideal for areas where immediate access to high quality x-ray images is crucial, like the operating room or emergency department.

With FDR D-EVO, everyone benefits from the smart and easy transition to DR, said Rob Fabrizio, Fujifilms senior marketing manager, Imaging Systems. Technologists appreciate the light-weight design, simplified workflow and speed of image acquisition; clinicians recognize its exceptional image quality; and patients benefit from a faster, more comfortable exam

source: Fuji Medical

SoftView(R) Technology from Riverain Medical Extends Digital Radiography Systems from Siemens

DAYTON, Ohio, Jul 19, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Siemens has enhanced its digital radiography systems with technology that produces a soft tissue image of the chest. Riverain Medical's SoftView(R) Enhanced Chest Imaging technology automatically suppresses the ribs and clavicles to improve the visibility of soft tissue structures in the lungs, allowing the physician to interpret pulmonary nodules with greater certainty. Furthermore, as SoftView uses the existing chest X-ray to produce the soft tissue image, it eliminates additional dose and motion artifacts commonly associated with dual energy solutions.

Ribs and clavicles on a chest X-ray often make it difficult for the physician to obtain a clear evaluation of the lung tissue. Until now, radiologists have used dual energy technology to improve the visibility of the lungs. The technique involves the successive acquisition of two images consisting of a low and a high energy spectrum. The physician can then use these two images to visualize the soft tissue in the lung.

Siemens is now offering SoftView from Riverain Medical with Ysio, their latest digital radiography system. SoftView enables the physician to acquire a soft tissue image faster and without any additional radiation dose for the patient. "Patient positioning, radiation dose and inspiration can make the interpretation of a chest X-ray challenging. SoftView suppresses the ribs and clavicles on a chest X-ray to improve the clarity of the image, even when image quality is low," explains Dr. Stefan Palmers, Ghent Hospital, Belgium, who is already working with the technology. "Siemens Healthcare's Ysio and Riverain Medical's SoftView technologies together produce optimal image quality."

source: Marketwatch

Siemens UROSKOP Offers Complete Urinary Tract Imaging in a Single Scan

Malvern, Pa., July 19, 2010 – Siemens Healthcare announces FDA clearance for the UROSKOP® Omnia, its new multifunctional workstation for urology. The workstation’s new dynamic flat detector technology UROSKOP Omnia allows the urologist to cover the entire urinary tract – kidney, ureter, bladder (KUB) – with only one single exposure and in superb image quality. With its curved X-ray column, UROSKOP Omnia offers truly unrestricted patient access from all table sides. The integrated HD (high definition) VideoManager provides various interfaces. For example, HD endoscopy or ultrasound equipment can be connected easily to display images side-by-side with X-ray or fluoroscopy.

With the new UROSKOP Omnia, Siemens extends its product portfolio in the high-end market for X-ray-based urology tables. The system allows a variety of clinical applications, such as transurethral and percutaneous urological interventions, urologic diagnostics and even gastroenterological cases.

“With the new UROSKOP Omnia, you see more in one image,” said Gerhard Schmiedel, vice president, Special Systems, Siemens Healthcare. “The system comprises our finest components – from dynamic flat detector technology with a large field-of-view, an intelligent design, and an interface for comprehensive connectivity – combined to bring a whole new experience of urology and patient care.”

source: Siemens Medical

X-rays Help Physicians Diagnose and Treat Gastric Band Slippage

Standard radiography (X-rays) can help physicians diagnose laparoscopic adjustable gastric band slippage, a known complication of adjustable gastric banding surgery, according to a study published in the July issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology (www.ajronline.org). Adjustable gastric banding surgery is a widely used bariatric surgical procedure to induce weight loss in morbidly obese individuals.

As adjustable gastric banding surgery becomes common, more patients are presenting to the emergency department with complications of the procedure, particularly those resulting from slippage of the gastric band. “Because the consequences of slippage may require acute surgical intervention, it is imperative that the radiologist is familiar with the surgical technique to correctly position the band and the appearances of a gastric band when correctly and incorrectly positioned,” said Sabrina Pieroni, MD, lead author of the study.

Researchers from Boston Medical Center in Boston, MA, reviewed the radiologic findings in 55 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic gastric banding. Gastric band slippage was diagnosed and surgically confirmed in four patients. “In all four patients with surgically proven gastric band slippage, the initial abdominal X-ray showed an O-shaped configuration of the gastric band, which we have termed the “O” sign,” said Pieroni. In each case, the O-shaped configuration of the band was a change from its rectangular appearance when in the proper position.

source: ARRS

Agfa HealthCare presents new generation of Digital Radiography systems at DRK 2010

* Press release* Mortsel, Belgium/ Berlin, Germany* May 13, 2010 09:00


Agfa HealthCare, a leading provider of diagnostic imaging and healthcare IT solutions, announces today that it is presenting its next generation Computed Radiography (CR) solutions at the 91st Annual German Radiology Congress (DRK). The company’s new solutions, the DX-G and DX-M allow the use of both conventional phosphor imaging plates (PIP) as well as advanced needle-crystal detectors (NIP).

Agfa HealthCare's DX-G CR system offers users an outstanding level of flexibility for general radiography. The solution supports general radiology, extremities, neonatal and pediatric applications with the flexibility of handling both standard phosphor imaging plates and needle based detectors. Images can be read out in a standard resolution of 150 μm, or at a high resolution of 100 μm.

The DX-M CR system offers the ability to read NIP for Mammography requirements as well as both NIP and PIP for General Radiography. The dedicated mammography needle-based detector and dedicated mammography standard phosphor plate are compatible with existing breast imaging modalities, providing cost efficiency. In addition, the DX-M sports a top resolution of 50 μm for images in mammography. The solution is Agfa HealthCare's most complete CR system to date.

Both solutions offer high image quality, as well as high throughput delivered by a unique five cassette drop-and-go buffer and image preview within 13 seconds, enabling a seamless workflow.

source: AGFA Healthcare