By James Markland
Carestream Health of Rochester, NY, has added several major software and hardware enhancements to its DRX-Evolution System. These innovative new features are designed to meet changing radiology needs and conform to the budgets of healthcare providers worldwide. According to Helen Titus, Carestream’s worldwide marketing director for X-ray Solutions and Ultrasound, the new DRX-Evolution Plus System will begin shipping at the end of July.
“The DRX-Evolution has earned the trust of radiology professionals around the world,” said Titus. “This is largely due to continuous improvements in functionality that help technologists quickly and easily capture complex exams that previously required greater effort. We have developed more new software features that can boost productivity and enhance the visualization of anatomy, while simultaneously helping to reduce radiation dose.”
Helen Titus, Worldwide Marketing Director for X-ray Solutions and Ultrasound, Carestream Health
The new features include a sleek new design with LED lighting for enhanced functionality and aesthetics. In addition, the units offer greater flexibility in high-ceiling rooms via an extended tube column. “In the past, the limited length of the tube column made it difficult to achieve the correct positioning required to perform weight-bearing ankle, feet and other exams,” said Titus. Also featured is an optional table to accommodate patients up to 705 pounds (320 Kg) and forward-looking design specifications to embrace future advanced imaging applications from Carestream as they become available.
Other advanced capabilities of the DRX-Evolution Plus include an innovative wall stand Bucky-angulation feature that expedites cross table and other complex X-ray exams; a tube touch screen that allows a technologist to change techniques and view images from the tube; pediatric capabilities including automatic technique and image processing for seven pediatric body size categories; bone suppression software for optimized viewing of soft tissue; automatic acquisition and stitching for long-length and supine imaging exams; IHE dose reporting to facilitate data sharing with a facility’s dose management system; and a transbay option that enables fast tube movement across multiple trauma bays. This feature helps expedite treatment while minimizing movement of critically ill or injured patients.
The DRX-Evolution Plus also offers modular components and configurations and supports a choice of three DRX detectors, including two cesium iodide detectors (35 x 43 cm and 25 x 30 cm) for high-quality imaging. For maximum productivity, the DRX-Evolution Plus can be configured with a 43 x 43 cm fixed detector in the wall stand, and one or two additional wireless detectors that can be used for table Bucky and tabletop exams.
“We offer our DRX-Evolution technology in a variety of configurations and with multiple software options to meet customers’ budget and space requirements,” said Titus. “Carestream offers manual, semi-automated or fully automated systems; configurations that can include a wall stand, a table or both; and a variety of detectors.”
“All our DRX-Evolution systems are designed to deliver years of reliable service,” Titus continued. “Optional hardware and software upgrades allow healthcare providers to offer excellent care for their patients. The modular design allows systems to be upgraded to accommodate each facility’s need for higher productivity.”
Titus noted that Carestream continuously seeks feedback from their field sales staff about needs voiced by their customers. This customer feedback was the reason they added an overhead tube column extension. This allows the tube to extend closer to the floor and provide the correct distance to capture standing ankle and feet exams in high-ceiling rooms. In some cases, healthcare facilities were lowering their ceilings, which is a major expense that is now avoided with this new option. Carestream’s new higher-weight table was a result of facilities reporting the need for medical imaging equipment to handle their bariatric patients.
Fully automated DRX-Evolution Plus systems will serve hospitals’ needs for productive workflows with capabilities that can expedite capture of a wide variety of complex imaging studies. Carestream’s DRX-Ascend system, for example, delivers DR rooms at an affordable price for imaging centers, orthopedic facilities and urgent care clinics.
Titus concluded by noting the most impressive feature of the new DRX-Evolution Plus System. “The system represents a new imaging platform that is ready to support advanced applications, such as dual energy and tomosynthesis exams, and other emerging imaging technologies.”
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