NEWS BRIEF
Innovating X-ray technology to be one of the most intuitive and powerful imaging tools on the frontlines of patient care
X-ray is the oldest form of imaging and a valuable tool on the frontlines of patient care, accounting for over 60 percent of all imaging exams.¹
Within the dynamic landscape of emergency departments, the use X-ray imaging continues to grow - accounting for 57.1% of the total imaging volume in level one trauma centers. The escalating demands placed on radiology departments pose formidable challenges from growing caseloads and rising costs to workforce shortages – with 80% of healthcare organizations reporting a labor shortage particularly in the role of X-ray technologist.²
To address the needs of those on the frontlines today as well help manage the daily complexities of patient care, positioning and exam setup, GE HealthCare continues to reinvent X-ray to be one of the most intuitive and technologically powerful imaging tools ready to withstand today and tomorrow’s most challenging hospital conditions.
This year’s RSNA2023 showcase will feature the capabilities of company’s X-ray portfolio through an immersive Emergency Room Experience where visitors can see this technology put into practice.
GE HealthCare’s most advanced fixed X-ray system yet
The Definium 656 HD³ is the company’s most advanced fixed X-ray system yet. The system acts like a ‘personal assistant’ by delivering consistent, efficient, and highly automated exams while simplifying workflow, improving consistency, and reducing errors to help keep radiology departments running smoothly. This latest generation of the overhead tube suspension (OTS) system features the highest levels of motorization, automation, assistive intelligence and advanced applications along with the fastest movement and highest weight capacity in GE HealthCare’s fixed X-ray portfolio.
In the context of the Emergency Room, clinicians often rely on standard radiography as the first diagnostic test for most chest, orthopedic and trauma cases, but advanced medical imaging is often ordered for complex cases that radiography cannot solve. To help make care decisions faster, VolumeRAD Digital Tomosynthesis brings three-dimensional (3D) imaging into the radiography room to help resolve inconclusive x-rays with minimal added radiation. With VolumeRAD, clinicians can capture multiple, cross-section images in a single sweep to provide multi-level image slice data, similar to a CT dataset, at a very low dose. Dual Energy Subtraction (160 ms) is another feature that can help improve diagnostic confidence in chest or abdominal studies by eliminating obstructions from overlying bones while providing additional information on calcifications.
Additional Definium 656 HD features address the day-to-day demands of technologists to help speed up the imaging process without compromising image quality:
Next generation mobile X-ray system leverages digitization and artificial intelligence to address key challenges on the frontlines
As the entry point to diagnostic imaging in the emergency room, inpatient bedside imaging and the intensive care unit (ICU), GE Healthcare’s AMX Navigate continues to demonstrate its rugged reliability as the next generation of mobile digital X-ray designed to address key challenges impacting technologist stress and strain.
The system’s power-assisted Free Motion telescoping column helps to decrease technologist strain by reducing lift force up to 70 percent.⁴ The latest FlashPad Plus digital detectors are exceptionally lightweight and designed to hold up to wear and tear of fast-paced X-ray environments with high patient volumes. The latest FlashPad Plus 14x17 is up to 40% lighter compared to the FlashPad HD for the same size.⁵
In addition to key design features, the AMX Navigate’s software platform was engineered for effortless workflow and clinical excellence. In today’s clinical workflow, technologists are required to manage the daily complexities of patient care, positioning and exam setup, while radiologists are overburdened by long PACS worklists with high numbers of STAT exams. The latest Critical Care Suite 2.1 (CCS 2.1), enabled with Quality Care Suite (QCS), employs a collection of AI algorithms designed to notify technologists of potential quality issues; flag images to radiologists for suspicious findings, and provide automated measurements at the bedside and in PACS without disrupting clinical workflow.
Critical Care Suite is an industry-first collection of AI algorithms embedded on X-ray systems for automated measurements, case prioritization and quality control. With this latest update and recent US FDA 510(k) clearance, Critical Care Suite 2.1 provides immediate on-device detection and triage notifications for the presence or absence of pneumothorax (PTX). When a PTX is detected, an overlay is displayed in the area where the PTX was located both on-device and in PACS to assist with PTX localization, as well as improve speed and accuracy of PTX diagnosis. By hosting Critical Care Suite on-device, critical insights are available at the point of care and across the entire clinical care team.
The AMX platform is the first mobile X-ray system in the world to offer on-device artificial intelligence for triage.
Quality Care Suite (QCS) 2.0 enables the delivery of high quality, radiologist-ready images for every patient – including pediatric patients, a first for GE HealthCare X-ray AI. The collection of AI algorithms operate in parallel with the capability of analyzing seven adult anatomies and three pediatric anatomies – including “babygrams.” QCS 2.0 helps technologists improve image quality and overall imaging efficiency for 85% of the most common exams.⁶ Key capabilities include:
Improving access and delivery of care
According to the World Health Organization, the use of X-ray and other medical imaging techniques can resolve between 70 and 80 percent of diagnostic problems, but nearly two-thirds of the world's population has no access to diagnostic imaging.⁸ From detecting fractures and identifying pneumonia to guiding surgical interventions and assessing the progression of chronic conditions, X-ray technology plays a crucial role in diagnosing and managing a wide range of medical conditions. However, the increasing demand for imaging services such as X-ray poses a challenge for healthcare providers to ensure equitable access to these critical imaging tools.
To help address these challenges, GE HealthCare has worked to design additional offerings that can help provide access to the latest capabilities in X-ray:
Flexibility and versatility with the addition of Precision CRF to fluoroscopy offerings
Precision CRF classical fluoroscopy system is the latest addition to GE HealthCare’s fluoroscopy offerings to meet ever-evolving imaging needs. The systems provides a flexible configuration that can support both radiographic and fluoroscopic imaging. Designed for clinical excellence, effortless workflow, and versatility, Precision CRF includes an overhead tube suspension (OTS), high-quality digital detectors, intelligent exposure control, and Advanced Image Processing software to enhance imaging capabilities. The Precision CRF provides the ability to do more with a fully capable X-ray suite allowing radiologists to cover all of their radiography exams, including bariatric and pediatric cases, with a single system.
Learn more at the following GE Innovation Theater presentations during #RSNA23:
Panel Discussion on Dual Energy Subtraction for Chest X-rays: A variety of perspectives on uses and benefits (Tuesday – Nov 23, 2023 from 3:00-3:30 pm CST): Deployment of Dual Energy at their facilities, clinician and patient use cases and benefits, impacts on workflow, case examples.
More information on the company’s mobile and fixed X-ray, as well as fluoroscopy technologies can be found at the GE HealthCare booth #7326 in the North Hall.
Products may not be available in your country or region. Please contact your GE HealthCare representative for more information.
MEDIA CONTACT
Emily Niles
emily.niles@ge.com
2 Pearson, Dave. “Radiology techs in especially high demand as 85% of hospitals seek ‘allied’ health workers”, radiologybusiness.com - Oct 22, 2023.https://radiologybusiness.com/topics/healthcare-management/healthcare-staffing/radiology-techs-especially-high-demand-85
3 Definium 656 is a commercial configuration of the Discovery XR656.
4 GE HealthCare Data on File – Comparison to non motorized system designs.
5 GE HealthCare Data on File.
6 QCS 2.0 and AMX Navigate Datasheet
7 GE Healthcare data on file.
8 https://www3.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7410:2012-dia-radiografia-dos-tercios-poblacion-mundial-no-tiene-acceso-diagnostico-imagen&Itemid=0&lang=en#gsc.tab=0
9 Definium 656 is a commercial configuration of the Discovery XR656. Eligible systems include Definium 656 Gen 1-5.
10 AMX 200 is a commercial configuration of the Optima XR200amx. AMX 220 is a commercial configuration of the Optima XR220amx. AMX 240 is a commercial configuration of the Optima XR240amx.
Within the dynamic landscape of emergency departments, the use X-ray imaging continues to grow - accounting for 57.1% of the total imaging volume in level one trauma centers. The escalating demands placed on radiology departments pose formidable challenges from growing caseloads and rising costs to workforce shortages – with 80% of healthcare organizations reporting a labor shortage particularly in the role of X-ray technologist.²
To address the needs of those on the frontlines today as well help manage the daily complexities of patient care, positioning and exam setup, GE HealthCare continues to reinvent X-ray to be one of the most intuitive and technologically powerful imaging tools ready to withstand today and tomorrow’s most challenging hospital conditions.
This year’s RSNA2023 showcase will feature the capabilities of company’s X-ray portfolio through an immersive Emergency Room Experience where visitors can see this technology put into practice.
GE HealthCare’s most advanced fixed X-ray system yet
The Definium 656 HD³ is the company’s most advanced fixed X-ray system yet. The system acts like a ‘personal assistant’ by delivering consistent, efficient, and highly automated exams while simplifying workflow, improving consistency, and reducing errors to help keep radiology departments running smoothly. This latest generation of the overhead tube suspension (OTS) system features the highest levels of motorization, automation, assistive intelligence and advanced applications along with the fastest movement and highest weight capacity in GE HealthCare’s fixed X-ray portfolio.
In the context of the Emergency Room, clinicians often rely on standard radiography as the first diagnostic test for most chest, orthopedic and trauma cases, but advanced medical imaging is often ordered for complex cases that radiography cannot solve. To help make care decisions faster, VolumeRAD Digital Tomosynthesis brings three-dimensional (3D) imaging into the radiography room to help resolve inconclusive x-rays with minimal added radiation. With VolumeRAD, clinicians can capture multiple, cross-section images in a single sweep to provide multi-level image slice data, similar to a CT dataset, at a very low dose. Dual Energy Subtraction (160 ms) is another feature that can help improve diagnostic confidence in chest or abdominal studies by eliminating obstructions from overlying bones while providing additional information on calcifications.
Additional Definium 656 HD features address the day-to-day demands of technologists to help speed up the imaging process without compromising image quality:
- • 5-axis motorization and auto-positioning provides for fast automatic positioning to any location in the room to speed up workflow and reduce strain on the technologist.
- • Intelligent Workflow Suite leverages 3D camera technology to produce more consistent images while helping avoid repeated X-rays before they occur.
- • FlashPad HD wireless detectors capture high resolution images with exceptional dose efficiency all while being thin and lightweight to optimize user experience.
- • Helix 2.2 advanced image processing with on-device artificial intelligence (AI) provides outstanding clarity and exceptional anatomical detail across image types with anatomy-specific image enhancement regardless of variations in dose, patient positioning, field of view and metal.
Next generation mobile X-ray system leverages digitization and artificial intelligence to address key challenges on the frontlines
As the entry point to diagnostic imaging in the emergency room, inpatient bedside imaging and the intensive care unit (ICU), GE Healthcare’s AMX Navigate continues to demonstrate its rugged reliability as the next generation of mobile digital X-ray designed to address key challenges impacting technologist stress and strain.
The system’s power-assisted Free Motion telescoping column helps to decrease technologist strain by reducing lift force up to 70 percent.⁴ The latest FlashPad Plus digital detectors are exceptionally lightweight and designed to hold up to wear and tear of fast-paced X-ray environments with high patient volumes. The latest FlashPad Plus 14x17 is up to 40% lighter compared to the FlashPad HD for the same size.⁵
In addition to key design features, the AMX Navigate’s software platform was engineered for effortless workflow and clinical excellence. In today’s clinical workflow, technologists are required to manage the daily complexities of patient care, positioning and exam setup, while radiologists are overburdened by long PACS worklists with high numbers of STAT exams. The latest Critical Care Suite 2.1 (CCS 2.1), enabled with Quality Care Suite (QCS), employs a collection of AI algorithms designed to notify technologists of potential quality issues; flag images to radiologists for suspicious findings, and provide automated measurements at the bedside and in PACS without disrupting clinical workflow.
Critical Care Suite is an industry-first collection of AI algorithms embedded on X-ray systems for automated measurements, case prioritization and quality control. With this latest update and recent US FDA 510(k) clearance, Critical Care Suite 2.1 provides immediate on-device detection and triage notifications for the presence or absence of pneumothorax (PTX). When a PTX is detected, an overlay is displayed in the area where the PTX was located both on-device and in PACS to assist with PTX localization, as well as improve speed and accuracy of PTX diagnosis. By hosting Critical Care Suite on-device, critical insights are available at the point of care and across the entire clinical care team.
The AMX platform is the first mobile X-ray system in the world to offer on-device artificial intelligence for triage.
Quality Care Suite (QCS) 2.0 enables the delivery of high quality, radiologist-ready images for every patient – including pediatric patients, a first for GE HealthCare X-ray AI. The collection of AI algorithms operate in parallel with the capability of analyzing seven adult anatomies and three pediatric anatomies – including “babygrams.” QCS 2.0 helps technologists improve image quality and overall imaging efficiency for 85% of the most common exams.⁶ Key capabilities include:
- • Intelligent Auto Rotate which is estimated to save technologists over 79 hours of manual clicks and reduce the number of manual clicks done to rotate X-ray images by 187,000 clicks per year per site.⁷
- • Intelligent Field of View detects when a lung field is clipped in a frontal chest X-ray (AUC >0.99) by notifying the technologist of positioning problems and allowing technologists to determine if a repeat is required.
- • Intelligent Protocol Check analyzes images and notifies the technologist when an improper acquisition protocol is used across various anatomies.
Improving access and delivery of care
According to the World Health Organization, the use of X-ray and other medical imaging techniques can resolve between 70 and 80 percent of diagnostic problems, but nearly two-thirds of the world's population has no access to diagnostic imaging.⁸ From detecting fractures and identifying pneumonia to guiding surgical interventions and assessing the progression of chronic conditions, X-ray technology plays a crucial role in diagnosing and managing a wide range of medical conditions. However, the increasing demand for imaging services such as X-ray poses a challenge for healthcare providers to ensure equitable access to these critical imaging tools.
To help address these challenges, GE HealthCare has worked to design additional offerings that can help provide access to the latest capabilities in X-ray:
- • Definium Pace: The latest fixed x-ray system that offers a range of capabilities and configurations to optimally match clinical needs at a value price point to improve accessibility and bring high-quality medical imaging technology closer to the communities that need it most. Designed to act as a personal assistant for the technologist, the system provides a range of automation and enhanced workflow features to support exam set up and enable effortless patient positioning.
- • Smart Subscription: Powered by Edison Health Services, Smart Subscription provides access to the latest capabilities with one annual fee per device. Smart Subscription is available with the AMX Navigate, Definium Tempo and Definium 656 HD systems.
- • Definium 656 HD Upgrades: To help radiology departments keep pace with demand, upgrades to existing Definium 656⁹ systems are now available to improve image quality and consistency, reduce acquisition errors, and streamline workflows at the fraction of the cost of a new system.
- • AMX Legacy Upgrades: Legacy AMX 200 / 220 / 240 systems10 can now be upgraded into an AMX Navigate fixed-column configuration with reliable workflow and efficiency improvements, as well as a modern user interface and software functionalities.
Flexibility and versatility with the addition of Precision CRF to fluoroscopy offerings
Precision CRF classical fluoroscopy system is the latest addition to GE HealthCare’s fluoroscopy offerings to meet ever-evolving imaging needs. The systems provides a flexible configuration that can support both radiographic and fluoroscopic imaging. Designed for clinical excellence, effortless workflow, and versatility, Precision CRF includes an overhead tube suspension (OTS), high-quality digital detectors, intelligent exposure control, and Advanced Image Processing software to enhance imaging capabilities. The Precision CRF provides the ability to do more with a fully capable X-ray suite allowing radiologists to cover all of their radiography exams, including bariatric and pediatric cases, with a single system.
Learn more at the following GE Innovation Theater presentations during #RSNA23:
Panel Discussion on Dual Energy Subtraction for Chest X-rays: A variety of perspectives on uses and benefits (Tuesday – Nov 23, 2023 from 3:00-3:30 pm CST): Deployment of Dual Energy at their facilities, clinician and patient use cases and benefits, impacts on workflow, case examples.
More information on the company’s mobile and fixed X-ray, as well as fluoroscopy technologies can be found at the GE HealthCare booth #7326 in the North Hall.
Products may not be available in your country or region. Please contact your GE HealthCare representative for more information.
MEDIA CONTACT
Emily Niles
emily.niles@ge.com
2 Pearson, Dave. “Radiology techs in especially high demand as 85% of hospitals seek ‘allied’ health workers”, radiologybusiness.com - Oct 22, 2023.https://radiologybusiness.com/topics/healthcare-management/healthcare-staffing/radiology-techs-especially-high-demand-85
3 Definium 656 is a commercial configuration of the Discovery XR656.
4 GE HealthCare Data on File – Comparison to non motorized system designs.
5 GE HealthCare Data on File.
6 QCS 2.0 and AMX Navigate Datasheet
7 GE Healthcare data on file.
8 https://www3.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7410:2012-dia-radiografia-dos-tercios-poblacion-mundial-no-tiene-acceso-diagnostico-imagen&Itemid=0&lang=en#gsc.tab=0
9 Definium 656 is a commercial configuration of the Discovery XR656. Eligible systems include Definium 656 Gen 1-5.
10 AMX 200 is a commercial configuration of the Optima XR200amx. AMX 220 is a commercial configuration of the Optima XR220amx. AMX 240 is a commercial configuration of the Optima XR240amx.