Your Guide to Medical Imaging Equipment

Inside every digital radiography (DR) detector panel is a layer of material called the scintillator. Right now, there are two main chemical compounds being used as scintillators in the manufacture of these panels: gadolinium oxysulfide (Gadox, for short) and cesium iodide (CsI).

Both of these materials are approved for use in diagnostic X-ray, and both of them are readily available in the DR marketplace. So, how does an imaging facility choose between a DR panel with Gadox and one with CsI?

The following are the most significant differences in purchasing and using a Gadox DR panel vs. a CsI panel.

Whether you're just starting an imaging center or adding an X-ray system to an established facility, it's important to make a plan for storing your images on a PACS system, especially as it relates to HIPAA compliance. There are many considerations when deciding which type of PACS you’ll use, from study volume to the number of imaging systems in your facility, but not every PACS type addresses those considerations at the same level. 

To help you in your search for the best PACS for your facility, we've listed below a few different options that most PACS providers offer and some pros and cons of each.

Paired with digital imaging, automation in the X-ray room is pushing patient workflow into an increasingly seamless state. Of course, as with any first-time technology purchase, the process of choosing what type of automation you want can be anything but seamless.

One of the sticking points we hear about  from X-ray equipment buyers that are interested in automation is confusion between some of the key features. To help clarify your X-ray automation search, we'll break down the differences between auto tracking and auto positioning and give you our take on the value each offers.

When GE developed their Senographe 2000D mammography system and their XR/d X-ray room, they partnered with Silicon Valley's Sun Microsystems (acquired in 2010 by Oracle) to provide workstations for both machines. The particular workstation in both of these cases was the Sun Ultra 10.

The Ultra 10 is a reliable platform but, just like any computer slogging through the day-in/day-out of a crowded patient schedule, there comes a point where a replacement will be necessary. 

Below, we'll break down the different types of Ultra 10 workstations, what causes them to fail, and the solution when you experience workstation failure on your 2000D or XR/d.

In many cases across the medical field, the X-ray machine is the most basic imaging system in a facility. Even so, acquiring the fundamentals constitutes a major capital outlay.This is precisely why it pays to be aware of all the options.

The following video shares current average costs for several options that have proven to be popular among the thousands of imaging centers and hospitals we work with each year. From stationary and portable systems that left the factory with digital capabilities to analog machines updated with digital detectors, the market can accommodate a far broader range of budgetary needs than you might think.

Want to keep your X-ray machine but add a digital detector panel? Click here to see DR panel pricing.