X-Ray System
3Pages

RAD Digital Mobile X-Ray System with Wireless FPD MobileDaRt Evolution Medical Systems Division, Shimadzu Corporation Makoto Kato 1. Introduction As the digitization of radiography systems continues to advance, lighter and more compact flat panel detectors (FPD) can now be used even on mobile X-ray systems, and such FPD-equipped systems are becoming commercially available and more commonly used on wards. Shimadzu launched its MobileDaRt digital mobile X-ray system equipped with a 14" × 17" portable FPD in 2005. The improved MobileDaRt Evolution was then released in 2008, and has proven a popular series with accumulated sales of 800 units throughout the world. This paper explains the new MobileDaRt Evolution with wireless FPD that was designed to meet the requests from various medical facilities, and describes some of the options newly developed for it. 2. Configuration and Basic Specifications of MobileDaRt Evolution with Wireless FPD Table 1 shows the configuration and basic specifications of the MobileDaRt Evolution with wireless FPD. This system comprises a mobile X-ray system with 32 kW maximum output combined with a 14" × 17" large-view-field wireless FPD and a digital image processor. The wireless FPD used in this system features an approximately 9.5-megapixel high-resolution sensor (2,800 × 3,408 pixels at 125 µm pitch) to obtain even higher image quality. The use of highly sensitive cesium iodide (CsI) in the FPD fluorescent screen can reduce the X-ray exposure dose. The wireless FPD is powered by a lithium battery. A single battery can easily handle a single standard day's operation in the wards. The battery can be removed and replaced. Should the battery level become low, operation can be continued by simply replacing the battery. The FPD storage rack at rear of the system can hold two spare batteries for the wireless FPD. Fig. 1 shows the appearance of the MobileDaRt Evolution with wireless FPD. The FPD and onboard digital processor eliminate preparations before travel, limitations on the number of imaging operations due to the number of cassettes carried, complex cassette-reading operations, and film development after radiography. This system dramatically improves the workflow compared to conventional cassette radiography systems. Travel is controlled using the highly regarded Power Assist Optimized System (PAO). This detects the forces applied to the drive handle and optimally controls the power-assist to the motors directly connected to the left and right drive-wheels to make driving the system as easy as pushing a light cart. The telescopic support column permits a wide range of rotation for easy positioning. The arm can extend up to 1200 mm to support radiography over a wide area. The Inch-Mover buttons located on the collimator face allow the operator to make subtle forward and reverse movements of the unit from the collimator

System name MobileDaRt Evolution Maximum output Rated output Tube voltage Maximum tube current Tube current-time product 0.32 to 320 mAs Tube anode heat content Tube focal point Imaging method Effective field of view Total number of pixels Pixel pitch Output gradation 12 bit (4096 gradations) Size Weight Lithium-ion battery During travel or imaging During battery charging Table 1 Battery Power supply Power rating: 1 kVA Voltage: 100/110/120/200/220/230/240 VAC, 50/60 Hz (1) Operation The wireless FPD requires no cables between the FPD and mobile X-ray unit. The FPD is 15 mm thick and has...

4. New Options The MobileDaRt Evolution newly offers the options below to improve work on hospital rounds. (1) External monitor interface This optional interface can be added to display images on an external monitor, apart from the monitor in the unit. This permits image observations on an external monitor at a remote location that is connected to this interface. It is useful where multiple people need to observe images, such as in an emergency situation. 5. Design Models decorated with animal characters are available to alleviate stress in child patients (Fig. 3). The animal-character...