Digital radiography has the potential to reduce costs in a variety of medical applications, and the latest wave of analyzers, X-ray systems and measuring systems put it to the test.

The Delta analyzers are fully ruggedized to industrial standards-including no PDA or movable display. Source: Innov-X Systems Inc.


Digital radiography continues to see new innovations as the field rapidly evolves. With its ability to maximize time, reduce radiation and to digitally transfer and enhance images, the technology’s value is unmistakable. Many applications benefit from its use, such as 3-D measurements, imaging and computed tomography.
 
The following products represent some of the latest breakthroughs in the industry today.

Innov-X Systems Inc. (www.innovx.com/products/delta) announces the Delta line, a new breed of handheld XRF analyzers. The Delta analyzers are fully ruggedized to industrial standards-including no PDA or movable display-while providing analytical performance and testing speed. They can take hundreds of tests per day with increased analytical confidence.

The analyzers have a rugged industrial-grade body; superior balance and ergonomics with over-molding and rubberized grip; rear-facing touch-screen display for visibility in bright or dim conditions; and external heat-sink engineered for extreme temperature and continuous high-power use. They also feature true hot-swap battery capabilities; fast measurements for high throughput; and redesigned geometry for outstanding analytical performance, speed and lower detection limits. The line also has an auto-calibrating, auto-charging docking station.



The Nikon Metrology XT H 450 system provides 25 micron accuracy when measuring the internal geometry of turbine blades. Source: Nikon Metrology

To further extend the reach of computed tomography applications, Nikon Metrology (www.nikonmetrology.com) introduces a wider range of X-Ray source power and targets. Microfocus X-Ray sources offer higher power and superior cooling boost X-Ray flux, allowing for the inspection of denser and larger industrial objects, such as large castings and single-crystal metal alloy turbine blades. By using X-Ray spot sizes orders of magnitude finer than competitive mini-focus sources, end users benefit from superior resolution and accuracy, and a wide array of measurable parts. In combination with a proprietary curved detector that minimizes X-ray scatter, the Nikon Metrology XT H 450 system provides 25 micron accuracy when measuring the internal geometry of turbine blades.



With the help of metrotomography-the combination of metrology and tomograph-this measuring system enables both the dimensional measurement of the geometry and the inspection of the interior structure of parts up to 150 millimeters. Source: Carl Zeiss

The new Metrotom 800 computer tomograph from Carl Zeiss (www.zeiss.com/imt-products) was specifically developed for 3-D measurements and structural inspections of complex parts made of plastic, composite materials and ceramic. With the help of metrotomography-the combination of metrology and tomograph-this measuring system enables both the dimensional measurement of the geometry and the inspection of the interior structure of parts up to 150 millimeters.

The maintenance-free X-ray technology results in extremely low maintenance costs and thus minimal downtimes, and the small focal point of the X-ray source generates razor-sharp projection images on the detector. The high physical resolution of the X-ray detector of around three million pixels enables very high detail recognition. Metrotom 800 achieves measuring accuracy of 4.5 µm + L/100. Through the use of polymer concrete for the enclosure, the use of lead can be largely avoided.



CrystalView is an ideal lower cost CR reader for CCU, ICU, ER applications where quick readout of portable X-ray images is desirable. Source: Alara

Alara (www.alara.com/products/cr.html) is pleased to introduce CrystalView R200, a high quality computed radiography system for single plate CR reader applications. CrystalView has daylight operation, integrated read/erase and throughput of 50+ plates per hour. It accommodates one or more separate quality control workstations. Imaging plates are housed in industry-standard sized cassettes of various sizes. The system is designed to be interfaced to an operator’s imaging network so that scanned images may be forwarded to a printer or server for reading at review stations. The system may also be operated stand-alone. The system may be readily interfaced to existing PACS systems that conform to these standards. CrystalView is an ideal lower cost CR reader for CCU, ICU, ER applications where quick readout of portable X-ray images is desirable, with immediate forwarding to the radiology PACS system for review by radiologists.



EnMotion is a real-time X-ray system for production inspection in today’s market. Source: Envision CmosXray

Envision CmosXray’s (www.cmosxray.com) CMOS digital X-ray system employs the highest resolution detectors. Utilizing an extensive image software package, combined with seamless conveyor control, EnMotion is a real-time X-ray system for production inspection in today’s market. Automatic defect recognition is an available option. The system can be used in castings, trays of parts, assemblies, composites, tubing, agricultural products, ordinance, food and pharmaceuticals.



The CXDI-70C Wireless DR System is an ideal solution for all of radiography systems, including mobile systems. Source: Canon

Canon (www.usa.canon.com) introduces the CXDI-70C Wireless Digital Radiography System. The system features a 14-inch by 17-inch image area, an ISO 4090 film cassette of the same dimensions, and a cable-free image transfer. The new wireless detector weighs 7.5 pounds, which is the lightest wireless detector in the industry to-date, the company says.

The system provides medical practitioners with greater device portability and extraordinary image quality. Building upon the success of the CXDI-55G/55C in the high-performance digital radiography systems market, the CXDI-70C helps deliver fast, reliable high-resolution images. It also incorporates a new glass substrate with a pixel pitch of 125 microns. Despite realizing a higher resolution as compared with the company's current 160-micron pixel pitch digital radiography systems, the new model delivers an increased level of sensitivity. In addition, the unit features a Cesium Iodide scintillator, which delivers high-quality images while reducing the X-ray exposure to the patient. The CXDI-70C Wireless DR System is an ideal solution for all of radiography systems, including mobile systems.