Handheld x-ray developer Aribex of Orem, UT, announced that its Nomad system has been approved for use by dentists and veterinarians in the state of Maryland.
The Maryland Department of the Environment's Radiological Health Program has approved the operation of handheld x-ray devices in nursing homes, hospitals, and home healthcare situations, as well as with special needs patients or sedated patients, effective April 1, 2009.
Following a short period of evaluation by the Radiological Health Program Radiation Machines Division, the department concluded that there were "no definitive public health concerns regarding operation of handheld dental x-ray devices."
As with all radiological devices, the state of Maryland has asked that certain specific protocols be followed as conditions for registering each device with the state. Handheld x-ray units are prohibited in conventional dental offices or for school screenings. Permanent, mounted shields must be affixed to devices, preventing operator exposure to scatter radiation. Also, only those persons licensed with the state of Maryland are allowed to operate the devices.
Maryland marks the 40th state to approve the Nomad for dental, veterinary, and forensic use, according to Aribex.
Related Reading
Aribex nets second x-ray patent, January 20, 2009
Aribex ships handheld dental x-ray unit, July 17, 2008
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