Bangalore, August 30, 2005 - GE Healthcare, a division of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), today announced the launch of "HF Advantage", the next generation of X-ray systems in India. This product is powered by High Frequency X-ray technology enabled by a state-of the-art generator, which are used only in high-end CTs and X-rays till now. The HF Advantage has been developed at GE's world-class R&D Centre - The John F. Welch Technology Centre in Bangalore.
The HF Advantage is an affordable, general radiographic system providing outstanding image quality and diagnostic precision with unprecedented ease of operation. The HF Advantage creates a safer imaging environment for patients and doctors with lower radiation doses.
Mr. V. Raja, President & CEO, GE Healthcare Technologies, South Asia said, "The HF Advantage offers radiologists better images for better decisions. With HF technology, we are increasing the opportunity for an accurate diagnosis for patients. Just as we pioneered the world's first digital X-ray and Volume CT scanner, with the launch of the HF Advantage, GE Healthcare is now advancing radiography technology. Globally, the standard has evolved to High Frequency and has replaced conventional X-ray standards. The HF Advantage is a 'Designed in India, Designed for India' product that helps us realize our goal of upgrading the level of technology available today to global standards in developing markets like India. We have a series of value products under development and HF Advantage is the first value product to roll-out from our Center".
At the heart of the HF Advantage is a futuristic x-ray generator that has already made waves in imaging technology. The 32 KW global generator platform has revolutionized imaging with over 20,000 installations worldwide.
"X-ray is the primary and most widely used diagnostic imaging tool. Hence it demands the best technology combined with affordability. However, the X-ray systems currently available in the Indian market are low powered, bulky and employ very old technology," elaborated Mr. Gopikrishnan, Business Manager, X-ray, GE Healthcare, South Asia. "The conventional X-ray system cost varies from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs.5 lakh, but compromises on technology, quality & 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 prevented its usage in India. The GE HF Advantage is available at a very affordable price, less than Rs 10 lakh and provides the best of both worlds - conventional and digital X-ray technologies! HF Advantage with its laptop sized digital console makes superior quality imaging affordable for small diagnostic centers and hospitals. It provides an excellent upgrade platform from the old X-ray technology to the latest technology and to an elegant X-ray room."
"We have been doing clinical trials with the GE HF Advantage system and the 4 way-floating table as the primary X-ray system in our 365 days /24 hour department for the past 1.5 years. We have performed more than 81000 X-ray exams using this system," said Dr Raghav, Senior Radiologist, Mallaya Hospital, Bangalore. "What we have observed is that the unit is robust and gives a steady high quality output. The radiographic quality is consistently good. There is good uniformity across the image. The exposure factors, which are required, are 20%+ lower than that required by the 2-pulse conventional generator. The fast and quick user interface helps us in increasing our patient throughput."
He added, "With the HF technology, we are increasingly moving towards a global standard where the radiographic output, which is commonly employed throughout the world, is in the range of 30 to 50 KW. With this 32 KW generator we are following global norms. In addition, we found that all types of patient examinations can be performed with adequate throughput. There is an increasing ability to do radiography for paediatric patients and trauma patients, where because of potential movement, a short exposure time is required and easily achieved with this generator".
The HF Advantage provides crystal clear images at the lowest exposure surpassing conventional X-rays every time. The system creates a safer imaging environment by reducing exposure time by over 20%+, lowering radiation dose by 25% and eliminating soft radiation compared to conventional X-rays.
"The modern, floating radiographic table has altered our clinical approach in several ways. Our patients find it much easier to get on and off this table. Further, the floating tabletop allows easy positioning of the extremities and various body parts for both routine and difficult radiographic examinations. The size of the radiographic table, which we have now as a floating tabletop, is slightly wider to accommodate trauma patients, and also those patients who would find it difficult to be positioned on a routine radiographic table," added Dr. Raghav.
"The console's digital display and anatomical programs make imaging extremely easy while reducing time and exposure" said Dr Naveen Chandra Shetty, MD, DMRD, Consultant Radiologist, and Professor and Head of Dept. of Radiodiagnosis & Imaging, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore.
Dr Shetty added: "Since receiving the GE HF Advantage 1.5 months back for clinical use at my centre, we have performed over 1000 X-rays. HF Advantage provides 30 KW output and radiography, which is the standard in all developed countries. Its 400 mA capability, low exposure times and very low mAs over conventional systems ensure great reduction in patient and technologist radiation dose. Image quality is incredible, especially for paediatric, trauma and obese patients."
GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies that are shaping a new age of patient care. GE Healthcare's expertise in medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring and life support systems, disease research, drug discovery, and biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies is helping physicians detect disease earlier and to tailor personalized treatments for patients. GE Healthcare offers a broad range of products and services that are improving productivity in healthcare and enhancing patient care by enabling healthcare providers to better diagnose and treat cancer, heart disease, neurological diseases, and other conditions. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, GE Healthcare is a $15 billion unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE). Worldwide, GE Healthcare employs more than 43,000 people committed to serving healthcare professionals and their patients in more than 100 countries. For more information about GE Healthcare, visit our website at www.gehealthcare.com
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