Works in Progress DRX-Revolution Will Launch New Era For Mobile Imaging Technology

Radiology administrators and technologists are all too familiar with the challenges that have plagued mobile imaging for years. Finally a solution is on the horizon—the innovative CARESTREAM DRX-Revolution Mobile X-Ray System is being demonstrated as a works in progress at the RSNA tradeshow. Availability of the DRX-Revolution system in the U.S. is contingent upon FDA clearance, with worldwide availability anticipated in mid-2012.

“Everyone who sees the DRX-Revolution system is very enthusiastic because it is specifically designed from the ground up to address issues that have hampered productivity in mobile imaging environments for years,” said Diana L. Nole, President, Digital Medical Solutions, Carestream Health. “It will also have a collapsible column to enhance visibility as the system is moved to various imaging environments.”

Several years ago Carestream launched an ambitious campaign to build an innovative new mobile x-ray system. The product development team contained dozens of Carestream employees who had previously worked as radiology administrators and technologists as well as digital imaging product experts and software and hardware design engineers.

“We knew the success of this mobile x-ray system would depend upon our design team’s ability to identify, understand and solve the difficulties involved in bedside imaging in the ER, ICU, surgical suites and hospital floors,” Nole explains. “We looked at every aspect of imaging from the device footprint to its maneuverability, tube head length, and the need for storage of gloves and other imaging accessories.”

Carestream’s multi-disciplinary product design team visited 50 hospitals of all sizes worldwide and accompanied radiographers as they conducted mobile imaging exams. “Based on observation and customer requests, the team compiled a specific list of features the ideal mobile imaging system would contain. And then we started to build it,” she reports.

Initial design sketches were presented to healthcare facilities several times to ensure the features and functionality satisfied radiology staffs’ needs and expectations. The result will be a breakthrough in mobile x-ray technology that is intended to benefit physicians, radiographers and patients.

Designed as ‘X-ray Room on Wheels’

“This system is designed to perform like an x-ray room on wheels,” Nole explains. “The DRX-Revolution will allow communication between imaging components to standardize and automate operations to duplicate the streamlined workflow of a DR suite.”

New software will allow radiographers to easily align the tube with a grid to encourage grid use. 

The system’s dual-drive system and the ability to make tight, 360 degree turns in small spaces will enable the unit to be quickly and properly positioned to capture an image. These features also will lead to faster set up and positioning; minimal intrusion on staff and surrounding equipment; and faster capture of high-quality x-ray images for rapid access by the medical team. The mobile x-ray system will also adjust its speed to match the pace of the technologist, based on sensitivity to the amount of pressure applied to the unit’s handle.

The DRX-Revolution will offer a long tube head reach to allow radiographers to more efficiently conduct x-ray exams despite bedside medical equipment. In addition to the main 19-inch monitor, the DRX-Revolution will have a second monitor on the tube head so the technologist can work from either location. The cart will provide generous storage space for gloves, sanitizers, markers, paperwork and other tools to further increase efficiency.