TechBytes

GE Launches Fully Digital X-ray System

GE Healthcare, the US$17 billion healthcare business of General Electric Company, recently announced the launch of Tejas XR 6000, a next generation convertible X-ray system in India. The new Tejas XR 6000 will be manufactured at GE Healthcare's plant in Bangalore. GE continues to focus on increasing affordability of high-end diagnostic systems to Indian doctors through local manufacturing. GE has rolled out a series of value products under the 'In India, for India' programme and is expecting to roll out several variants of Tejas X-ray systems during 2008.

X-ray is the primary and most widely used diagnostic imaging tool. However, the X-ray systems currently available in the Indian market are low powered, bulky and employ very old generator technology. According to GE officials, the conventional X-ray system cost varies from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, but compromises on technology, quality and radiation dose. The next level—fully digital X-ray systems offer the most enhanced imaging solutions and are available in the range of Rs 1.5 crore - Rs 2.5 crore. This high initial investment has restricted its usage in India.

The GE Tejas XR 6000 is available at less than Rs 15 lakh, and provides conventional and future upgradeability to digital X-ray technologies. Outlining the growth plan for the Indian market, V Raja, President and CEO, South Asia, GE, said, "Tejas is in alignment with GE Healthcare's vision to promote the concept of early health in India. Currently, 80 per cent of X rays that are installed in the market are conventional X-rays as digital technology is not affordable for most Indian healthcare professionals. GE Healthcare has taken a significant step to address this need by making digital technology available at substantially reduced cost.”

GE has invested over $ 500 million in developing its proprietary flat panel digital X-ray technology and the company has been granted more than 100 US patents. The technology is extended to multiple applications like cath-labs, mammography systems and a number of radiography X-ray applications. GE is one of the very few manufacturers in the world to manufacture digital detectors and over 10,000 plus digital systems are in use globally. GE's flat panel detector provides reliability and an optimised image quality for all digital radiography systems.
Chiranjiv Singh, Business Manager, X-ray, GE Healthcare South Asia, said, "The Tejas XR 6000 is India' product that helps us realise our goal of upgrading the level of technology available today in India to global standards. The Tejas XR 6000 offers radiologists better images for better patient outcomes.”

EH News Bureau