Heidi McIntosh, Worldwide Marketing Manager for Digital Capture Systems, Carestream Health
Bigger does not always mean better. Carestream Health’s new Vita XE CR Imaging System retains the Carestream line’s small footprint—about the size of a desktop printer—while increasing the number of plates per hour. The new tabletop computed radiography system processes 60 plus plates per hour—up to 50% more than Carestream’s previous fastest model—without compromising image quality.
The combination of high output and small footprint makes the Vita XE a good choice for smaller hospitals, clinics, imaging centers, private practices, and orthopedic centers, according to Heidi McIntosh, the worldwide marketing manager for digital capture systems for Carestream. In addition, the system, which weighs 79 pounds, can act as a mobile unit for those who travel to their clients. “You can put it in the trunk of a car, take images at a nursing home, and send them off,” said McIntosh. Despite the compact size, the Vita XE system supports four different cassette sizes at standard resolution and seven cassette sizes in high resolution.
“The Vita XE uses the same platform as other Vita platforms,” said McIntosh. “Having all the Carestream desktops on the same platform allows for greater efficiencies, greater reliability, and simplified service.” Carestream created the XE partly in response to customer feedback. With more than 19,000 units installed worldwide, customers clearly liked the Vita line. But some facilities needed more throughput from the equipment. Rather than overhaul the system, Carestream made a Vita system that could handle a bigger workload. Features such as long-length imaging, CD/DVD output, modality worklist, and Image Suite mini-PACS software make the Vita XE a flexible system.
Carestream’s new Vita XE CR is an affordable tabletop CR system that offers throughput of more than 60 plates per hour.
On the software side, McIntosh describes the Vita as a bridge from film to CR and DR. The Image Suite mini-PACS software “allows people, especially in small offices, to acquire an image, modify it, and then archive it all in that one system,” said McIntosh.
The Vita XE will displace two Carestream systems, the Point-of-Care 360 and the DIRECTVIEW Vita SE. However, Carestream will continue to manufacture the Vita CR System (40+ plates per hour) and the DIRECTVIEW Vita LE CR System (20+ plates per hour). All Vita systems can share accessories, eliminating the need to keep track of three separate systems.
According to the manufacturer, the new Vita XE is a practical choice for community hospitals and small radiology practices. The system is designed to increase efficiency, save on space, and is easy for techs to use—all at an affordable price. Vita CR Systems are designed especially for small-to-midsize hospitals, clinics, and practices that need to watch every dollar spent but don’t want to compromise when it comes to the quality of their diagnostic images. Carestream Directview Vita CR Systems are a viable solution, plus they allow these facilities to go digital. They offer compact, small-footprint solutions with high-quality digital images, without breaking the bank. The systems are easy to service and have fewer parts that make maintenance a breeze and reduce service costs and downtime. Affordability doesn’t need to come at the cost of functionality.
