New Medical Uses for Flat Panel Digital X-Ray Technology

Digital flat panel x-ray detectors are an excellent example of how an established technology can enter into a new market. This is apparent in their use in medical imaging, where flat panel digital x-ray technology continues to show great promise in diagnostic and treatment capabilities.

Keeping this in mind, medical imaging has become the focus for flat panel digital applications and solutions, replacing traditional film radiography in hospitals and clinics as it improves efficiency, accuracy and productivity. For example, hospital technicians can position a patient, take an image and review it immediately. The technology takes only minutes to process information that with older technologies took hours or even days, delaying important and even life-saving treatments.

What is Image- Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT)?

How Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) Came to Be

Image-guided radiotherapy, or IGRT as it is commonly known, evolved from IMRT. IMRT provides far greater beam shaping capabilities than 3D radiation therapy, in this manner allowing more sophisticated and precise treatment. However, radiologists continued to require a safety margin for error for all treatments because of the intrinsic doubt of exact tumor location each and every day.  For example, the prostate moves in a multitude of directions each day depending on how full or empty the bladder and rectum are. In the past, even with IMRT, Drs would need to add a safety margin around the prostate to account for this day-to-day variability in prostate location.  This added margin resulted in a larger target (prostate) to be treated with radiation and more of the bladder and rectum included within the radiation field, thereby, increasing the risk of damage to these healthy organs. Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) has changed all of this. IGRT does exactly what its name states: it uses the image of the target to guide the delivery of radiation for each and every treatment. 

Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT), the All-Digital Treatment System

Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT), the all-digital treatment system, allows physicians to see a patient’s tumor in real- time at treatment, even if a tumor has moved - because of a patient's breathing, heartbeat, gastrointestinal changes or other activities. Tumors also change their position and their size during the course of radiotherapy treatment, which typically consists of multiple treatments over several weeks.

At the start of radiotherapy, technicians take a CT scan of a tumor and enter that data into a treatment-planning system. Image-Guided Radiotherapy IGRT software produces a three-dimensional, digitized image of the patient's tumor, sharply identifying the slightest contour. Once that image is captured, it can be recalled for every treatment session. If significant tumor movement has occurred, physicians can then adjust the patient's position or, if required, re-do the treatment plan, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

 Why Use Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT)?

With Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT), physicians can match the radiation beam to the precise shape of your tumor far more precisely reducing the total amount of radiation you using built-in imaging technology at ultra-low doses.  The Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) reduces or eliminates the need for implanting markers, as physicians can visualize soft tissue detail using imaging tools. Tumors that were previously untreatable, because of their proximity to organs or the spinal cord can now receive treatment, which is a huge advance in treatment methods.

The MedWOW Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) Solution

MedWOW features a comprehensive selection of new, used and refurbished radiology equipment, including complete image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) systems by Nomos, especially the Nomos Bat Belfry.

As the largest global online marketplace for all kinds of medical equipment, MedWOW features a comprehensive searchable catalogue that allows you to filter for make, manufacturer, continent, condition, price range, seller’s business type, and other filters particular to radiology equipment.

If you don’t find the specific image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) system you are looking for, you can post a free buying request which typically will bring you a number of competitive quotes from some of MedWOW’s worldwide sellers.

The Benefits of Computed Radiography (CR)

Computed Radiography (CR), is a method of digitally capturing x-ray images for reading using computers and laser technology. Images are captured on imaging plates that offer flexible positioning because you can insert the imaging plates into any existing wall or table bucky, or wherever you currently use a film plate. When the image has been captured, the imaging plates are then inserted into the computed radiography (CR) reader, the image is read and stored electronically, and the imaging plate is erased and made available for the next usage. The stored computed radiography (CR) image is then available for viewing or distribution through a DICOM viewer or PACS.

Computed radiography (CR) technology uses a reusable phosphor imaging plate, which is scanned by a laser scanner after being exposed to X-ray. This technology is very similar to film in that the images need to be scanned (instead of developed like film) in order to retrieve the x-ray data. However, phosphor computed radiography (CR) plates can be erased and used over and over again to produce extremely high-definition images.

The main benefit of computed radiography (CR) systems over DR imaging systems is that the imaging plates themselves are extremely flat and flexible so they can fit into tight gaps, behind paneling and even wrapped around a target object. Computed radiography (CR) imaging plates are available in a range of different sizes at relatively low cost, so you can purchase several formats to cover a large number of different tasks.

The advantage of computed radiography (CR) systems over traditional x-ray film is that the digital image film can be used again and again so there are no regular consumable costs. X-ray images are much higher resolution and can be digitally enhanced to produce clear defined images. Images can also be stored digitally and will not fade over time. No chemicals or darkroom are needed.

Summary of the key benefits of computed radiography (CR)

• Very high resolution forensic level imaging
• Perfect for revealing complex electronics and circuitry
• Extremely thin, flat, flexible imaging plates
• Reuse image plates 1000+ times
• Enhance and store images digitally
• Range of image plate sizes up to 90 cm long
• Mains/vehicle or battery powered image plate processor
• Auto image plate erase (user selection)
• Fast deployment at target area
• No chemicals
• No carousel or clips required in the imaging process
• Complete system in a single transit case
• Image plate processor can be used from inside transit case for all weather operation

The top marketplace for medical equipment, including computed radiography (CR) systems and other imaging equipment, MedWOW, has firmly established its place in the international market. MedWOW provides good-quality computed radiography (CR) image systems in a safe and secure trading environment. When purchasing or selling a computed radiography (CR), MedWOW has the market, the platform and the buyers. MedWOW has recently upgraded its medical equipment catalogue with various manufacturers, refurbished equipment and new and used computed radiography (CR) systems.
MedWOW represents a variety of makes and model leaders in computed radiography (CR) such as: Carestream Health, Fuji Medical Systems, Agfa, Air Techniques, CoRE labs, CR Medical, Fuji, Kodak, Konica Minolta, Orex and Radlink. These offerings include single and multi-plate systems to fit your volume and need.

MedWOW Explains Digital Radiology (DR)

Digital Radiology (DR) Replaces Standard X-Ray
Digital radiology (DR) may represent the top scientific breakthrough in medical imaging over the last ten years. The use of radiographic films in x-ray imaging might become obsolete in a few years, due to the superiority of digital radiology (DR). An appropriate comparison that is commonly understood is the replacement of standard film cameras with digital cameras. Images can be immediately acquired, deleted, modified, and subsequently sent to a network of computers, which is especially important in the medical field.

Benefits of Digital Radiology (DR)
The benefits from digital radiology (DR) are enormous. It can make a radiological clinic or department filmless. The referring physician can view the requested image on a desktop or a personal computer and often file a report just a few minutes after the examination was completed. The images are no longer held in a single location; but can be seen simultaneously by physicians who are miles apart. In addition, the patient can be given the x-ray images on a CD to take to another physician or hospital for consultation.

Advantages of digital radiology (DR) include time efficiency, as a result of being able to do without the standard chemical processing, as well as the ability to digitally transfer and enhance images. Being able to enlarge and highlight images is of paramount importance in x-rays, and digital radiology (DR) gives physicians and technicians better diagnostic tools, as a result. Also, less radiation can be used to produce an image of similar contrast, which is very important, especially in children and adolescents for whom it is important to keep exposure to radiation at a minimum.

MedWOW’s Digital Radiology (DR) Offerings
MedWOW, the multilingual, global medical equipment marketplace, features medical device inventories from dealers all over the world, so locating the specific digital radiography system or add-on you need from a variety of makes, models and manufacturers in a safe and protected environment, is easy and secure. MedWOW is the leading medical equipment portal for all types of medical equipment trade, and with over 12,000 users visiting the site daily; locating your particular digital radiography system or upgrade is a hassle-free experience. MedWOW also provides free Escrow service, so you can be sure you are getting exactly what you pay for.

Some of the digital radiography systems and add-ons currently available from imaging dealers throughout the world include: DIS Digital Radiography Upgrade Adapter #ezDR4000, RF System Digital Radiography Upgrade Adapter Naomi, DRTECH Digital Radiography Upgrade Adapter FLAATZ 330 and many more options.

The Wonders of Digital Radiography

Digital radiography is one of the most important technological advancements in medical imaging over the last ten years. Using the radiographic films of the past in x-ray imaging is likely to become outmoded within a few years. Similar to the replacement of standard film cameras with digital cameras, digital radiography images can be immediately obtained, revised, if necessary and then sent to a network of computers.

The benefits of digital radiography are vast. To begin with, radiological facilities or departments can become filmless and the technician or physician can view the requested image on a desktop or a personal computer and often report a diagnosis within just a few minutes after the examination was performed. The images are no longer stored in a single location, but can be seen at the same time by physicians who are miles away from each other.

Another major advantage of digital radiography is that radiographic images can be viewed immediately, rather than having to wait for film to be developed. Many physicians and dentist feel that this benefit, alone, is enough to cause a medical facility to switch to using only digital radiography equipment.

Just as important and beneficial, is the ability to enhance images using digital radiography. Digital radiography lets the technician make the image lighter or darker, increase contrast, increase images, and make other changes to the original image to assist in easier diagnosis of any irregularities.

In addition, the patient can be given the x-ray images on a CD to take to another physician or hospital, thanks to digital radiography. Radiographic images can be stored for years and easily retrieved when needed, and from multiple locations. Digital radiography has been very helpful as huge patient files that are difficult to keep track of are no longer necessary.

It is also no longer necessary to weight the risks of x-rays, as it exposes the patient to radiation. Digital radiography has reduced the amount of radiation the patient is exposed to by 70-80%, which is particularly important when multiple images are necessary in dental or medical applications.