Why Switch to Digital Radiography in 2011?

Digital radiography in both Human Medical and Veterinary Medicine has been around for more than a decade, and it has improved significantly during that time. However, the majority of practitioners in the United States have not abandoned Conventional Analog Radiography, and many question the need to change to Digital Radiography. Well it's now 2011 is it finally time to move to this form of recording your Radiographic Images? In this discussion, I will present some information on this technology and make a few personal conclusions about the state of the art in Digital Radiography.


Advantages of Digital X-Ray

The following list of advantages on using Digital Radiography. They are based on clinical usage and research, not just opinions, and they may or may not be the same conclusions as those reached by other clinicians.

Immediate observation of Radiographic Images. If this were the only positive aspect of Digital Radiography, I still would choose it over Conventional Radiography. Keep in mind that only some Digital Radiography Devices provide immediate viewing. Charge-coupled devices, or CCD based systems, provide immediate viewing. However, phosphorous-plate technology or CR requires placement of the Imaging Plate in a processing device to scan it and put the information into a computer so that the image can be viewed.

In Conventional X-Ray techniques, the delay in reading the image usually forces the clinician to change gloves and do something else as the Radiograph undergoes development. On returning to the patient, the clinician must wash his or her hands, don new gloves and reorient himself or herself to the clinical procedure at hand.

I have used both Conventional and Digital Radiography for several years, but I easily can conclude that because of its advantage of immediate image viewing, Digital Radiography Machines are highly desirable and worth the investment.

Ability to Enhance Image Quality

 How many times have you looked at a Radiographic image and thought that it needed to be lighter or darker, or that you would like the image to be somewhat larger? Digital Radiography allows the clinician to change contrast (to lighter or darker), enlarge images, place color enhancements or superimpose various textures on images. All of these changes of the original image facilitate easier to diagnose the patient , and they also allow immediate and effective patient education.

Data storage

Pulling up specific stored Radiographic Images from a computer database is easy because of the highly organized nature of computer file storage. When using Conventional Radiography, all of us have had times when we have looked unsuccessfully for the paper chart and radiographs of a patient treated some years ago. Many clinics have misplaced active patients’ charts and radiographs, sometimes never finding them.

Patients who have been in any specific practice for many years have charts that are enormous because of the accumulation of huge amount of information. Conversely, it is amazing to observe how much data can be stored in the relatively miniscule space occupied by a computer, and how easily and rapidly the data can be retrieved. Of course, there is the obviously time-consuming challenge of placing previously made conventional radiographic images into digital form for storage in the computer.

Developing solutions and conventional film developers

 One of the less desirable tasks in any Medical Practice is maintaining and changing the Radiographic developing and fixing solutions and keeping the often unreliable developing devices in a functional state. In Digital Radiography, those tasks are eliminated, along with the dark-room that still is present in many offices for the automatic film processors or the dip tanks. The problems of odors and stains from the developing and fixing solutions and the space occupied by the developing devices are eliminated when Digital Radiography is incorporated into a practice.


Communication with other practitioners

 One of the most useful advantages of Digital Radiography is the ability it gives clinicians to send images to other practitioners in a matter of minutes, even while talking on the telephone. Many doctors use that advantage numerous times as they consulted others about a specific technique or have been required to send images to another practitioner while the patient in question was being treated. There are various ways to send an image, but the commonly used e-mail method is one of the easiest.

Less radiation

 When using Conventional Radiography, I often have been hesitant to make a radiograph because it exposes the patient to radiation. The reduction in radiation offered by Digital Radiography—usually 50 to 70 percent, and at times even more—allows multiple images for the same radiation exposure involved in a single image obtained via conventional radiography. This reduction in radiation is especially important in which multiple images frequently are needed.

Loss of conventional films

 Most practices have relatively efficient ways to store Conventional Radiographs in their respective patient charts, but occasionally a critical film comes loose from its holder, and it is lost without the possibility of retrieval. Assuming adequate back-up procedures are observed, there is no reason to lose stored Digital Radiographic images.

Digital X-Ray is Easy to Use!

Some practitioners who are not comfortable with computers may debate this point. However, after a short learning period, accompanied with frequent use, the simple software necessary for use of Digital Radiography is easily mastered.  In my opinion, the digital concept is easier, cleaner and certainly faster than Conventional Film Radiography.

Flat Panel Digital X Ray Detectors from Samsung and Vatech DR

Secaucus, New Jersey - January 14, 2011 --  Vatech DR has released a line of Flat Panel Detectors they have co-developed with Samsung Electronics.  They have a 14x17 Portable Flat Panel Detector. Which will certainly be an optimal choice for your everyday diagnostic needs. Its extraordinary thinness enables you to simply replace the cassette part of a conventional film x-ray. Furthermore, its size, thickness, as well as its powerful operating software guide you in making an economical choice for upgrading your Veterinary Radiography department.

Superior Diagnostic Image Quality
A dynamic offset enhances the image resolution. Furthermore, its single panel design improves the image quality and produces more reliable images. Its “A-Si TFT active matrix” provides for a superior image resolution.

User–friendly Design
Its specially-designed grip makes it easy for you to carry it anywhere and anytime. This is a manifestation of Vatech DR's sincere intention of showing that we care about the satisfaction of our customers. Its small and light power box also guarantees for an easy and soft integration into your entire system. Every inch of this product’s design expresses our genuine intention to provide satisfaction to our Veterinary customers.

Vatech DR also provides another option a 17x17 Retrofit Detector with your choice of a Gadox (Gadolnium Oxysulfide) or a Cesium Iodide Scintillator. These detectors can include direct table top replacement kits for you Summit Innovet or Sedecal Vet Ray Tables. Or can be integrated to your Veterinary X Ray system by your local X-Ray Dealer. And last but not least Vatech DR provides a 10x12 Portable Detector that is perfect for your Equine or Small animal applications. Vatech DR also provides (3) sizes of Intraoral Dental Sensors and software to complete your digital upgrade. Please keep an eye on the Vatech DR blog at www.FlatPanelDr.com for the most current installations and most up to date news. The corporate website can be viewed at www.VatechDR.com .

VATECH including its subsidiary E-WOO are one of the only manufacturers of high end dental CT systems with 95% market share of the domestic dental CT market with a growing annual sales revenue.
54 billion won (E-WOO 28 billion won) in 2006, 65 billion won (E-WOO 50 billion won) in 2007, and 80 billion won (E-WOO 63.6 billion won).

There are 8 branch offices and 17 technical support centers throughout the country. With 11 overseas offices in 9 countries throughout Europe, Asia and North America, the total export reached $280 million dollars ($240 million by E-WOO) last year.

VATECH offers the most number of digital diagnostic systems; 7 different dental CT models and 7 different panoramic X-ray systems by a single company and also develops and manufactures its own Digital Radiographic Sensor, the most critical component of diagnostic X-ray systems. The partnership with Samsung in product research and development brought the 17x17 Flat Panel X-Ray Detector into the market in 2007 with commercial implication of expanding the target market to include Medical DR and Veterinarian DR X-ray markets.

Contact Info:

Ryan Everhart
Sales and Marketing Manager of Vatech DR
Secaucus, NJ
            (717) 991-0055