When providing top-notch care for our beloved animal companions, selecting the most suitable X-ray equipment for your veterinary practice is paramount.
Medical Imaging Resources
First, what is a detector? Operators use digital radiography detectors to obtain X-ray images in place of plain film or computed radiography systems. They also utilize detectors instead of image intensifier systems for fluoroscopy, interventional, and mobile x-ray systems. Different classes of digital radiography detectors vary based on the physics behind image acquisition, scintillator use, and the device's readout. Here, we'll discuss the two major classes of flat panel detectors, what makes them unique, and average costs.
Over the past 100 years, medical imaging has become vital to almost every medical practice. Radiological equipment such as the X-ray machine provides a low-risk way for healthcare providers to deliver fast and accurate diagnoses for treatment guidance. X-ray machines can last for many years, but it's essential to have a properly functioning and technologically up-to-date machine to obtain accurate images in your practice. In this article, we will explore the lifespan of an X-ray machine, how to spot issues with your machine, ways to prolong your machine's lifespan, and when it might be time to invest in a new one.
Let's start with a little history lesson.
The global digital x-ray market is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%. In 2020, the industry was worth 7.1 billion, and by 2026, it will be worth $16.4 billion.
X-rays use ionizing radiation, which is harmful to living tissue in high doses. Lead is a material that effectively blocks this type of radiation, so lining the walls of an x-ray room with lead minimizes the amount of radiation that escapes the room.
Insurance is not a simple cut-and-dry business. If it was, healthcare wouldn’t be so complex. When it comes time to bill for x-ray services, what can you expect to recoup? The answer depends on a variety of considerations.
Although the traditional x-ray has been around since 1895, digital x-rays weren’t introduced until the mid-1980s. Since then, the industry has become a multi-billion dollar market that is growing at exponential rates.
Advances in the field of medical imaging are not just restricted to humans. Massive strides have been made for our animal friends in radiology, including canine, feline, equine, and avian species. They, too, can reap the benefits of emerging technologies.
