Philip’s SkyFlow Removes the Grid in Mobile Radiography

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 19 Mar 2014

SkyFlow, a breakthrough innovation in image processing for mobile radiography, is one of the major new product introductions from Philips Healthcare (Best, The Nedherlands) at this year’s ECR.

“It’s all about providing quality and economic value to customers,” said Duncan Porter, Head of Field Marketing for Imaging Systems EMEA for Philips Healthcare in an interview with Medical Imaging International. “SkyFlow is gridless so it provides superb image quality with less handling by the operator.”

Image: SkyFlow offers a novel technology that combines the ease of a gridless acquisition workflow with contrast like a grid image. Results include superb image quality with less handling (Photo courtesy of Philips Healthcare).

Image: Duncan Porter, head of field marketing for imaging systems EMEA for Philips Healthcare (Photo courtesy of Philips Healthcare).

Traditionally in mobile chest radiography, grids have been used to ensure optimal image quality but the downside of using grids is that mAs-exposure values need to be adjusted to accommodate for them. “These adjustments lead to challenges around grid cut off, positioning, and the need to repeat examinations,” said the former radiographer.

In delivering the new algorithm, SkyFlow removes the need to have a grid in mobile chest X-rays, which account for approximately 70% of examinations performed outside a radiology department. Grids reduce the amount of scatter radiation that hits the detector, but by using SkyFlow algorithms, the radiographer can predict and remove the scatter radiation without the need for a grid, streamlining workflow and reducing dose. “This is how we are revolutionizing mobile X-ray from where we are today,” Mr. Porter pointed out.

He added that this not only reduced dose to the patient but it rapidly increased productivity in diagnostic imaging because the radiographer does not have to repeat the examination due to grid cut off, movement of the grid, or a lack of alignment between detector and X-ray tube.

SkyFlow is a variable part of Philip’s premium mobile digital radiography system MobileDiagnost wDR Release 2. This system enables radiographers to bring premium image quality outside the radiology room to special care baby units, wards, intensive care units, or resuscitation departments.

“With the Mobile Diagnost wDR, Philips has also launched a new size detector which is designed to fit inside incubators and makes emergency radiography much easier where the patient may be in a challenging position,” said Mr Porter. The detector is 24 by 30 cm, 1.8 kg; and the larger device is 35 x 43 cm at 2.6 kg.

Furthermore, the SkyPlate detectors used in the latest release of the Mobile Diagnost wDR can be integrated to an existing solution so analogue customers can leap into the premium DR solution with an integrated seamless solution from a single vendor. This is extremely good news for customers as Philips has the largest install base globally of analogue bucky systems.

The ProGrade retrofit upgrade has been developed with direct customer and clinical requirements. With the complex challenges and financial impact of hospital-acquired infections then the highest levels of sterility are important, stated Mr Porter. “The SkyPlate solution utilizes secure Wi-Fi technology versus tethered wired solutions significantly reducing the risk of hospital acquired infections.” The customizable solution extends the digital radiology portfolio from Philips and it has been launched at ECR for immediate shipment within Europe.

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