Digital Healthcare

Radiation is everywhere. Americans receive more radiation from diagnostic medical imaging tests in that X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, and mammograms are common for today’s clinical use. 
The biggest contributor to radiation exposure comes from CT scans, which deliver as much as 500 times the radiation of a standard X-ray, and potentially cause an estimated 1.5 to 2 percent of all cancers in the United States.
 

 

A computed tomography (CT) scan is a medical imaging method that employs tomography, using digital geometry processing to generate a 3-dimensional (3-D) image of the inside of an object. Many pictures of the same area are taken from many angles and then placed together to produce a 3-D image. An X-ray detector is set inside the CT scanner to see hundreds of different levels of density such as tissues foundinside a solid organ. And the final data is transmitted to a computer, which builds a 3-D picture and displays it on the screen.

 

With increased awareness of healthcare issues, people have come to understand the risk of overuse of high radiation diagnostic devices, and its connection to cancer, which is that patients who underwent CT scans are expected to develop cancer. It has become undeniable that overexposure to radiation is a health hazard that significantly increases apatient’s risk of developing cancer.

 

Public awareness of the health risks associated particularly with CT scans has caused industry imaging manufacturers like General Electric Co, Siemens AG and Philips Electronics NV to work to turn around public opinion by developing safer radiation-based imaging equipment.
  

To create innovative solutions for CT scanners that facilitate reducing radiation dosages while maintaining high image quality, Company Medic Vision Imaging Solutions, has developed and commercialized the SafeCT device, which is compatible with any CT Machine.
 

SafeCT is an add-on device for CT equipment to compensate for the image quality lost in low radiation dosages. According to Medic Vision’s testing, they were able to produce diagnostic quality images at reduced radiation dosages of up to 77%.

 

 

Innovations like Medic Vision’s SafeCT device help significantly lower the risk of patient radiation exposure. Recently, the University of Kansas Hospital implemented a portable CT scanner which brings diagnosis to the bedside of critically ill patients, reducing the risk in transporting patients from floorto floor. The innovative portable CT scanner keeps nurses on the floor near the patients and provides images doctors can immediately read.

 

 

 

Advantech Medical Computing continually observes the market and makes improvements to its medical healthcare offerings. Advantech offers peripherals for CT scanners such as internal single board computers, medical display computers, and POC series terminals.