By Elaine Sanchez Wilson
Back when x-ray systems required the application of a wire directly into a generator, acquisitions were based on a complicated timing sequence.
“As a result, you made sure that the panel was ready, the x-ray generator would then fire the x-ray, the panel would capture the ray and then display it,” explained Michael Harvey, director of business development for Meridian Medical Systems, of Aurora, Ohio. “With our system, you don’t have to connect to the generator at all.”
Equipped with a wireless detector and automatic exposure detection, the company’s Monarch ultra high definition (UHD) universal digital imager (UDI) is now available, after having recently received US Food and Drug Administration approval.
Cleared for use in both pediatric and adult radiographic imaging, the digital system is used with a 20-inch acquisition console that features 9.8 mp display resolution, four times that of typical acquisition stations. Harvey said to his knowledge, Meridian is the only company that has a 4K-resolution system on the market.
Along with advanced software displays, workflow features, and Bluecom Bluetooth communication, the system features Quad Cell technology, consisting of Csl vapor deposit to increase contrast and resolution, a reflective layer coating that increases sensitivity by 1.8 times, and moisture-proof sealing for extended life, at the lowest dose possible. “When you have something that is just laying on something or taped onto it, you can get gaps in certain areas,” Harvey said. “Toshiba (Meridian’s partner vendor) actually applies the cesium as a vapor directly to the thin film transistor array, and that gives you better light transmission between the cesium and the photodiode.”
Additionally, the company’s Surefire automatic exposure detection technology has the ability to sense x-rays and automatically acquire an image, using any new or existing x-ray capable system.
“We can move the DR system from a mobile x-ray over to a fluoro room, or into a radiographic room, or take it into the ER, or into surgery, and perform imaging there, no matter their x-ray source,” Harvey said. “If they have a mobile x-ray unit that is stationed in the NICU, we can take the DR system there, and they can then expose the panel with the x-ray and capture it.”
Both large and small facilities can benefit from Meridian’s Monarch system. “With our price point, quality and flexibility” the digital imager is suited for a wide range of customers, Harvey noted.
Meridian recently completed its first installation at an orthopedic center that sees between 30 and 50 patients a day. “The installation went flawlessly, and we were able to connect to their PACS system quickly,” Harvey said. “It is up running as an automatic exposure detection system, so there is no direct wired interface to the x-ray generator.” Still, for facilities that want to control the generator with the x-ray imaging systems, the Monarch digital imager can connect to generators, he added.
According to Harvey, there’s still more to come from Meridian.
“People will be hearing more about us as we bring more and more of our products [to market],” Harvey said. “This is our first wide release DR system, but we have many other products in the pipeline. We believe we are ahead of the curve now and we are at an aggressive price point. We intend to go out and take in as much market share as we can.”
