About Shimadzu

The X-Ray System That Enables Sharp, Blur-Free Images to Be Verified on the Spot Immediately After Exposure

An advanced solution from the company that pioneered the digital (DR) mobile radiographic unit

Shimadzu Corporation started sales of the Digital Radiographic Mobile X-Ray System under the name "MobileDaRt Evolution".

The Digital Radiographic Mobile X-Ray System can be moved to patient area to make the X-ray image when it is not practical to move the patient to a Radiology department. There, X-ray exposure image is acquired using the portable flat panel detector (FPD), and the exposed image can be displayed three seconds after exposure on the mobile’s monitor for verification.
This new product inherits the "outstanding maneuverability and high operability" of previous models and its maximum X-ray output has been further increased to 32 kW. This enables sharp, blur-free images to be obtained even with small children and emergency patients who are less likely to keep still. Besides adopting a new silent motor for producing less noise as it is being moved around even in night-time hospital rounds, this system can emit a caution tone to increase safety while it is being driven and moved around. Moreover, it uses a larger 15" monitor, as opposed to a 12.1" monitor on previous models, improving image review for PICC(Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) line placement and other operating room urgently needed review. The large screen also helps with verifying patient motion and for operating the user friendly touch screen GUI(Graphical User Interface) .

This system enables X-ray exposures to be taken outside of the X-ray examination room, such as wards, operating rooms, ICUs, and emergency medical sites, and verified on site immediately after exposure using the internal battery energy source.

In 2000, Shimadzu Corporation started sales of the "MobileArt Series" of analog Type Radiographic Mobile X-Ray System. Due to its outstanding maneuverability and high operability, sales of this series have already exceeded 4,500 units at medical institutions throughout the world. “MobileDaRt” Digital versions that inherited the features of this series were put onto the market in 2004. These have been highly evaluated mainly in the United States and sales have exceeded a total of 250 units so far, accounting for about 30% of the market share there. Even at emergency medical sites, such as the earthquake disaster that occurred in May this year in Sichuan province, China, these systems helped provide a speeds and efficient response for taking X-ray exposures of many of the disaster victims. As a result, they were highly assessed for their maneuverability, promptness, operability, and convenience.

Shimadzu Corporation has taken note of and reflected user requirements in improving its lineup of radiographic X-ray systems. As a result, it has brought to the market a new product, so called “MobileDaRt Evolution”, capable of performing examinations more safely and efficiently even in high emergency and highly restricted medical sites such as Intensive Care wards, operating rooms and emergency rooms. With this new product, Shimadzu Corporation hopes to expand its market share.

Features of the New Product

1. Images Can Be Verified on the LCD Monitor 3 Seconds After Exposure

After images are exposed by the portable flat panel detector (491 mm ´ 477 mm ´ 23 mm), they are displayed on the unit's 15" LCD monitor in just three seconds. This means that, in urgent situations, you can obtain the information required for treatment right away, enabling speedy treatment. In an operating room, having the image quickly reduces the time the patient is sedated and hence reducing risk to the patient.

2. Sharp, Blur-Free Images

The maximum output of 32 kW improves exposure speed. Also, sharp, blur-free images can be obtained even when taking exposures of small children and patients brought in on an emergency who are less likely to remain still.

3. High Mobility Achieved by Outstanding Maneuverability

The system starts to move smoothly with just a light touch of the pressure-sensitive handle. Also, the system can be maneuvered naturally since you can change direction with ease. It also adopts a new silent motor, which further reduces noise, as it is being driven and moved around, making hospital rounds easier to perform at night. The system has chimes that can be selected on the console to alert people of the approaching mobile. The new mobile retains the ability to turn about its center which can avoid the mobile from having to back out of patient rooms.

4. Key-less Entry, Wireless Data Transfer

The Key-less Entry and Wireless Data Transfer are prepared optionally. The Key-less Entry enables to turn on the system by 4 digits key command input without any actual key, which is useful to share the units by several staffs. Wireless Data Transfer realizes to receive the patient data or examination list from Hosipital Information System and store the images after examinations anywhere in the wireless network coverage.

5. Highly Efficient Radiography Enabled by Smooth Operation and High Convenience

At 1,200 mm, the ultra-long arm equipped with the X-ray tube covers a wide range, and can be moved freely for accurate positioning. It is also provided with various switches and functions to enable smooth operation and very precise and easy positioning. An optional "illuminating hand switch" also can be incorporated into the system for easier recognition of the exposure timing. The color of this switch allows the operator to recognize when the system is ready for exposure and when the exposure is being made. An additional hand switch also can be added on as an option to make operations even easier to perform.

6. Safety Features

X-ray exposure dose can be displayed (option) by incorporating a dose area product meter or dose calculation function. Moreover, the system's internal hard disk can hold 3,500 images, and the system comes with an additional exposure function that allows extra exposures to be taken in an emergency even if battery power runs low.

Product Outline