New X-Ray Equipment

29 June 1999

A new, state-of-the-art, digital imaging system has arrived at the West Suffolk Hospital and will be fully operational from Monday 9 August.

The new X-ray equipment represents the most advanced technology of its kind, offering maximum comfort for the patient and exceptionally high picture quality.

Patients will be able to relax and listen to their favourite music in the newly refurbished room which houses the £400,000 equipment.

Although it is a multi-purpose machine which is capable of carrying out a wide range of X-ray procedures, it will be mainly used to detect and remove blockages in blood vessels, especially in the leg, and for barium bowel examinations.

Using the digital technology radiologists can follow the passage of a special dye through the blood vessels on TV monitors. To aid diagnosis the recorded image can be manipulated to blank out surrounding organs and bones so that only the blood vessels appear on the screen. By slowing down the recording and magnifying specific areas the radiologist can accurately pinpoint any blockages and abnormalities.

The same high quality images are used to perform an Angioplasty which is when a thin tube is guided into the blocked blood vessel and a small balloon is inflated to disperse the material causing the blockage.

"lt is important to keep pace with the changes in modern technology to ensure patients receive the very best treatment and care," said Judy Wright, Radiography Services Manager.

We can follow the passage of dye through the patients body as it happens and then look at it again and again on the computer screen, from different angles, to ensure an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

"Patients and clinicians no longer have to wait for the traditional X-Ray films to be developed as the images are instantly visible on the TV monitors."

The new equipment is called the Advantx TC. The C-shaped arm design and rotating table top allows unlimited views without the need to disturb and reposition the patient.