A Closer Look at Carestream’s New Fluoroscopy Systems
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Last week marked another important milestone for Carestream as we entered into the radiography/fluoroscopy market. The new systems, DRX-Excel and DRX-Excel Plus are now available for orders worldwide, and we also were displaying information in our booth at AHRA 2015.
A big advantage of the Remote Fluoroscopy system is that it allows a facility to maximize their utilization of the room because of the systems capability to do not only fluoroscopy but also general radiology.
These new systems from Carestream can enhance workflow and perform contrast exams using fluoroscopy that can be associated with a radiography image, in addition to specialized contrast procedures that record both fluoroscopy and radiography sequences and interventional procedures.
Below are the product details for each of the systems.
DRX-Excel Plus Features:
- Extensive SID capability exceeds competitors, acquiring images at any distance between 110 to 180cm
- Table features a 265kg weight capacity with NO limitations on movements
- +/- 90 degree tilting to enable all exam types
- Table lowers to 48cm (19inches) making it easily accessible for wheelchair patients
- Full system access from every side for easier patient transfer and exam versatility
- Fully motorized, easy-to-use compression for abdominal and other exams
- Control system operation remotely, or right at patient’s side
- Motorized movement of tube and column maximizes speed and convenience
- Offered with either an Image Intensifier* with high resolution CCD camera that maximizes image quality during fluoroscopy or a Flat Panel Detector that offers high image quality for either fluoroscopy or general radiology images
- Auto positioning, as a function of extensive anatomical programs, facilitates faster exam set-up times
- Patient overage of 201cm allows full exploration of even very tall individuals without repositioning
- Relaxing ambient lighting and selectable music maximize patient comfort
- DAP measurements allow tracking of the exact radiation dose received by each patient
- Optional DRX-1 detector offers the power of the X-Factor and allows easy positioning for cross-table and weight-bearing exams
* DRX-Excel Plus with Image Intensifier is not available in the U.S.
DRX-Excel Features that differ from the DRX-Excel Plus:
- Extensive SID capability exceeds competitors, acquiring images at any distance between 110 to 180cm
- Table features a 200kg weight capacity to accommodate heavier patients with NO limitation to movements
- +90/- 30 degree tilting to enable all exam types
- Table offers the lowest fixed-table minimal height of 79cm (31inches) in the industry making it accessible, even for wheelchair patients
- Patient overage of 196cm allows full exploration of even very tall individuals without repositioning
- Offered with either an Image Intensifier* with high resolution CCD camera that maximizes image quality during fluoroscopy or a Flat Panel Detector that offers high image quality for either fluoroscopy or general radiology images
- Auto positioning, as a function of extensive anatomical programs, facilitates faster exam set-up times
- Relaxing ambient lighting and selectable music maximize patient comfort
- DAP measurements allow tracking of the exact radiation dose received by each patient
- Optional DRX-1 detector offers the power of the X-Factor and allows easy positioning for cross-table and weight-bearing exams
* DRX-Excel is not available in the U.S.
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Heidi McIntosh is the X-ray solutions marketing manager for Carestream.
John Rizzo
Hi Heidi,
Are you finding that the US market demand is shifting toward remote-controlled R/F systems, or is demand for patient-side controlled still pretty robust? With so much concern surrounding radiation dose exposure, my first guess would have been that patient-side system would be on the way out, however that doesn’t seem to be necessarily true.
Where do multipurpose suites – with an added C-arm – fit into the landscape?
Thanks,
John Rizzo
Carestream
Hello John, There are two main types of fluoroscopy systems. The first is remote fluoro, like our Excel system, that allows the radiographer and radiologist to remain in the control booth and operate the system remotely to avoid unnecessary exposure. The second, and most common in the US, requires the radiographer and radiologist to remain next to the x-ray system while they fluoro. This places them near the x-ray source and increases their potential exposure to radiation. The European market shifted to remote systems long ago, but for some reason they have been slow to catch on here in the US. It might have to do with the fact that we are not comfortable with automation, or that providers want to be close to their patients at all times. I do not have specific market data.
Also, Carestream does not sell a C-arm; so I cannot comment on that. Thank you for reading our blog!