Medical Imaging Resources

DR panels are a significant financial investment, so ensuring you get the right one is critical. 

When looking at upgrading to a digital x-ray system, there are a few options to replace film and retrofit a system to be digital. Today we will talk about why you should choose a DR vs a CR system when considering a digital x-ray system. 

This is a question that comes up often when customers start looking for a new digital x-ray system. There are a lot of choices out there when it comes to digital x-ray systems and sometimes it’s difficult to determine what the best fit for your situation would be, especially if you are new to owning a digital x-ray system. This article will help clarify which situations we recommend a wireless DR panel for and where a tethered DR panel would be a better choice. 

Occasionally, customers have issues with the electrical requirements for x-ray equipment. This can be for a variety of reasons. Sometimes a customer simply does not have the available electric capacity to run the additional dedicated line to the generator; sometimes the landlord will not allow them to change the electrical. Maybe a customer doesn’t want to invest in costly electrical changes if they don’t plan on being in a space long-term. And for some, depending on what changes need to be made, it can be cost prohibitive to make the required electrical changes. Regardless of the circumstances, it isn’t uncommon for a customer to ask if they have options that allow them to use the electrical that is already in the room. This article will give you some insight into what options you may have if you cannot make the required electrical changes to your space but still want to add a digital x-ray system to your practice.  

What size room do I need for my digital x-ray system? 

We get this question frequently from customers who are looking to add digital x-ray to their offices or from customers who are moving offices and want to make sure they have a room big enough to accommodate their system. The purpose of this article is to give you a bit of guidance on room size as you are planning your digital x-ray room.  While there are several variables that can impact the size of the room you will need for digital x-ray equipment, hopefully, this article will help answer some questions you may have as you are planning your digital x-ray room.  

What is a DR panel?

If you are new to digital x-ray or just beginning your search for a digital x-ray system, it can be a bit overwhelming. There is a lot of information, some of it is very technical, and there are a lot of potentially unfamiliar terms used. In this article I’m going to take some time to answer a question that I have been asked a few times recently; what exactly is a DR panel? 

In terms of x-ray systems, DR stands for Direct Radiography. You will also see DR as an abbreviation for Digital Radiography. In our x-ray systems, the DR flat panels, offered in both tethered and wireless configurations, are the component of the x-ray system that makes the system digital. DR flat panels replace the film in an analog x-ray system and are typically the size of a film cassette. They slide into the space on the bucky where the film cassette would usually be. 

We often have customers who are interested in converting an existing analog x-ray system from film to digital. Digital offers many advantages to film, takes less space to store and process images, and is much quicker. If the existing x-ray system is in good condition and working properly, it makes sense to keep the x-ray machine and retrofit the system to digital by adding a DR panel package. 

The electrical requirements for x-ray machines can vary and are somewhat confusing if you aren’t familiar with electrical connections and what you have available in your room. Depending on the generator your system requires or how powerful of a generator you desire for your system, the electrical requirements can vary significantly. Electrical service can be one of the more costly parts when it comes to building out an x-ray room and can make a big difference in what system you ultimately choose. The purpose of this article is to give you some insight into what questions to ask and how to go about deciding what type of x-ray system is going to best meet your needs and budget. 

What kW generator do I need for my new x-ray system? Important considerations when shopping for a new x-ray system