Carestream Health unveiled on Tuesday its new mobile digital radiography (DR) system, the work-in-progress Carestream DRX-Revolution mobile x-ray unit.
The new system enables Carestream to offer its DRX wireless flat-panel digital detector technology in an integrated portable x-ray system, including a portable cart designed from the ground up. Until now, Carestream has only offered retrofit kits to convert existing analog portable units to digital using cassette-sized DRX panels.
DRX-Revolution features a collapsible column for enhanced visibility and safety while moving the system. The dual-drive design and the ability to make 360° turns in tight spaces, such as an intensive care unit, emergency department, or operating room, make the DRX-Revolution suitable for bedside imaging exams, Carestream said.
DRX-Revolution also offers software to allow radiographers to align the tube with the grid to enhance image quality. In addition, the device has two monitors (the main 19-inch monitor and an 8-inch tube head monitor) to provide two work zones for improved bedside imaging. Technologists can also pull up prior images of the patient.
The wireless, cassette-sized DRX detector is available with either a gadolinium oxysulfide scintillator for standard x-ray exams or a cesium iodide scintillator for more dose-sensitive exams, such as pediatrics.
Available as an option is a tube and grid alignment system that tells the user where the grid is in space. This helps the operator determine where to position the tube head without the risk of grid cutoff, and to ensure the proper alignment of the x-ray beam.
Finally, DRX-Revolution uses a novel user log-on process that's based on a proximity badge embedded in a technologist's identity badge. A proximity reader on the mobile x-ray system recognizes the badge, and the system can automatically power up, authenticate the operator to the software, and display the worklist -- all within seconds, according to the company.
Technical specifications include a 32-kW x-ray generator, dual focal spot tube, barcode scanner, and two detector battery charger slots.
