Portable X-ray System Enhances Bedside Imaging

An innovative mobile X-ray unit based on carbon nanotubes offers significantly reduced size and weight parameters when compared to existing mobile X-ray systems.

The Carestream Health (Rochester, NY, USA) DRX-Revolution Nano Mobile is a light, non-motorized digital radiology solution designed to capture inpatient, outpatient, and emergency room (ER) exams. Carbon nanotube technology and an advanced lithium iron phosphate battery contribute to maneuverability by reducing system weight to just 93 kilograms. An automatic, collapsible tubehead column and a compact footprint make it easy to maneuver and position the DRX-Revolution. The long tubehead also allows better patient access and more accurate positioning, even in crowded rooms, while providing unobstructed views.

Independent diaphragm controls, two touch-screen displays with an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI), and a fully integrated digital radiography workflow enable quick image reviews from the console or the tube, as well as exposure history based on a picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) query/retrieval capability. A powerful 32kW generator, dual focal spot tube, a tube-and-grid alignment system, and proprietary Carestream EVP Plus image processing software combine to optimize images, resulting in fewer retakes and support for faster, more accurate diagnoses.

“The DRX-Revolution Nano Mobile X-ray system’s compact footprint allows for easier positioning in cramped critical care areas such as the ICU and neonatal ICU,” said Charlie Hicks, general manager for Global X-Ray Solutions at Carestream. “And this system’s affordability allows providers to dedicate a portable unit to busy critical care areas.”

Custom capabilities for the ER include tube and line visualization so as to provide a companion image with an enhanced clear view of tube and peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines to verify correct positioning. In addition, a pediatric package uses image processing algorithms that optimize image quality via customized acquisition and processing parameters that suppress noise and enhance detail based on patient size. A choice of wireless detectors is available, including Carestream DRX-1, DRX Core, DRX Plus, and DRX 2530C detectors in several sizes.