GE Healthcare gives digital radiography system green status
9 April 2009
GE Healthcare has given its first line of digital radiography X-ray
products ecomagination status, based on the systems’ energy and
operational efficiency.
The company’s digital x-ray technology enables digital image review,
thereby eliminating the film and chemicals used by an analog processor.
For example, eliminating 50,000 analog films saves 1,900 gallons (7,200
litres) of fixer and developer per year. Avoiding the need of analog
film processing also removes the need to purchase, handle and dispose of
processing developer and fixer chemicals.
A GE Healthcare digital x-ray room is designed to replace two GE
analog x-ray rooms, saving energy and space, and avoiding water and
chemical use for film processing, while maintaining the same imaging
volume.
“With this line of radiology systems, we are not only delivering on
our commitment to provide safe, high-quality products, but also
providing clinics a cost savings and opportunity to reduce their
environmental impact,” said John Dineen, president and CEO of GE
Healthcare.
Ecomagination is GE’s commitment to produce technologies that address
environmental and financial needs, such as the need for cleaner, more
efficient sources of energy. To join the ecomagination portfolio, a
system must complete the company’s rigorous internal environmental and
operational evaluation.
A digital radiography X-ray system has the potential to reduce energy
consumption by 4,300 kWh or 78%, and save approximately US$100,000 per
year in productivity and material costs based on US national averages.
“By replacing our analog X-ray with GE digital systems, we have
reduced our water and energy costs by eliminating the need to use analog
film processing,” said Ken D'Arrigo, Administrator from Orthopedic Care
Specialists, Inc., in Easton, MA “We have also seen an increase in
volume of imaging and overall throughput with the digital systems.”
The digital X-ray product line includes the Discovery XR650, Optima
XR640, DR-F, Definium 8000, Definium 6000, Definium 5000 and Definium
AMX 700. System availability is based on geography.
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