Affordable digital radiography system predicted to become global industry standard

Frost & Sullivan gave its 2010 Best Practices Award to RF Company, Ltd. for its direct digital radiography system NAOMI because it believes this technology will become the industry standard. "NAOMI is a direct digital radiography system, which directly sends images to a PC monitor after irradiation, while others need imaging plates (IP) to display images," says Frost & Sullivan Senior Research Analyst Sreevidhya Praveen. "It also has inherently low repair and maintenance costs, which further enhances customer interest."

NAOMI achieves lower maintenance costs by employing CCD (charge coupled device) sensors to detect and digitize x-rays to produce the image that it displays on the monitor. Since CCDs are ubiquitous, they benefit from economies of scale. Most other Direct Digital Radiography (DR) systems use amorphous silicon, which is expensive to produce, in part because it is not widely used in other applications. The result is that NAOMI is affordable even to hospitals in developing countries, enabling better medical care for the local people.

Best-in-Class Digital Radiography System Providers:

• Have the ability to customize image enhancement capabilities to suit customers’ needs
• Offer next morning replacement in event of malfunction
• Provide in-office training and videotapes or DVDs for refreshers or to train staff members who are hired later

Top Considerations Before Selecting Digital Radiography System Provider:

The user interface is very important. Some software employs pulldown menus instead of having single point-and-click capability. Some users report that being able to point the cursor at an area of an image and then enlarge, add color or increase contrast with a single mouse click trumps wading through a series of pulldown menus. Be sure to “test drive” candidates to make sure they meet your needs and working style.

Key Providers:

1. Fujifilm Digital Radiograph (FDR) AcSelerate Suite and Dual Detector Velocity™ SpeedSuite are complete radiographic room replacement solutions that can produce an image in 2 seconds. Other medical image and information products and technologies offered by Fuji including Synapse® PACS, Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR®), women's healthcare imaging products, dry and thermal imagers and conventional film. Fuji reports that it “invented digital x-ray more than twenty-five years ago” and has continued to bring new products to market ever since.

2. Canon's suite of CXDI Digital Radiography Systems offers a range of features and functions including detachable cables for portability, fluoroscopy and large area detection. The company reports that its software “provides an economical image viewing platform to meet the needs of orthopedic physicians, surgery centers, and emergency departments.” What sets Canon apart, in addition to its long history with imaging technology that began in 1955, is that “Canon maintains a deep commitment to social and environmental responsibility.” The US headquarters of this global enterprise is in Lake Success, NY.

3. Suni Medical Imaging's SuniRay CMOS sensor employs advanced technology to produce “crystal clear images” and the company reports that it "is the only mixed-platform sensor on the market” because MacPractice software enables it to work with both PCs and Macs. Its Dr. Suni Plus CCD sensor is the thinnest dental sensor in the world with “the longest standard warranty" as reported by the company. Suni’s ISO 9001 certified, state-of-the-art facility is located in San Jose, CA. This privately listed complete digital imaging provider was started in 2003.

4. Quantum Medical's Q-Rad-DIGITAL "CXDI Series" systems provide precision and reliability through proprietary “Smart-System Design.” Features include: TechVision™, Single 22 inch Touch-Screen Control Center, Fixed & Portable Digital Detector combinations, FAIL-SAFE electromagnetic braking systems, collision avoidance electronics and EZ-Glide handle controls. Quantum's QV-800 Digital Universal system is a digital imaging system designed for hospital emergency departments, trauma centers as well as for general radiography applications. The company reports that “This ergonomic system easily facilitates exams of patients in standing, seated or recumbent positions.”

Digital Radiography System 
Definition: Digital radiography is a form of x-ray imaging, in which photographic film is replaced by digital X-ray sensors.