Kit Converts Existing Mobile X-Ray Systems to Wireless DR Technology
By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 11 May 2010
A mobile retrofit kit will allow healthcare providers to upgrade selected mobile X-ray systems to wireless digital radiography (DR) technology. This wireless DR system can help increase on-site productivity and deliver immediate access to images for improved patient care, particularly for critically ill patients in emergency rooms, operating rooms, and the intensive care unit (ICU). Posted on 11 May 2010
Carestream Health, Inc. (Rochester, NY, USA) is taking orders for the retrofit kit in countries where it has regulatory approval. The DRX-Mobile Retrofit Kit can be installed quickly and is powered by Carestream Health's highly successful DRX-1 detector. The cassette-size detector's wireless capabilities allow users to capture and view images in seconds at the point of patient care. Medical images can be forwarded to multiple network destinations, so clinicians can make a rapid diagnosis and begin immediate treatment. This wireless workflow improves patient care and boosts staff productivity. CR-based mobile systems require technologists to travel to a centralized CR reader for image processing, which creates a cumbersome workflow that delays image access.

Image: The DRX-Mobile Retrofit Kit designed to upgrade selected mobile X-ray systems to wireless digital radiography (DR) technology (Photo courtesy of Carestream Health).
Use of the DRX-1 technology also improves patient positioning and comfort by eliminating cables and tethers typically required by most DR-based systems. This makes it ideal for confined spaces, remote locations, and imaging of patients with limited mobility in addition to emergency rooms, operating rooms and the ICU.
The retrofit kit will be integrated with the following mobile X-ray systems and retrofit kits for additional mobile systems are in development: GE Healthcare (Chalfont St. Giles, UK) AMX-4; GE AMX-4 Plus; Siemens Healthcare (Erlangen, Germany) Mobilett Plus; Siemens Mobilett XP; and Siemens Mobilett XP Hybrid.
To support the imaging needs of ICU departments, Carestream Health offers innovative software that uses the original exposure to display an enhanced image with more precise visualization of lines and tubes, which are typically difficult to view.
Carestream Health's DRX-1 detector forms basis for a range of DR products including the DRX-1 system that can convert analog X-ray rooms to DR technology in less than one day and a fully automated DRX-Evolution suite that offers virtually unlimited patient positioning. Moreover, the company offers a wide range of compute radiography (CR) and DR systems that equips hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, orthopedic practices and other healthcare providers with digital image capture for X-ray exams.
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