2018 WINNER
MICRO-X
‘CARESTREAM DRX REVOLUTION NANO’ MOBILE X RAY
Category
PRODUCT DESIGN
SCIENTIFIC & MEDICAL
Designed by
MICRO-X DESIGN TEAM
About
The DRX Revolution Nano is the first of its kind, mobile lightweight bedside medical x-ray device, exploiting innovative Carbon Nano Tube technology. At a fraction of the size, weight and cost of existing mobile equipment, the device is easily moved around medical facilities, is intuitive for users and enhances workflow efficiencies.
Design Challenge
Existing mobile x-ray carts are in excess of 400kg and motorised and their demand for bedside imaging in hospitals is high. The size and weight of these carts is driven by the size and weight of conventional thermionic x-ray tubes. The price point for these carts precludes their use in low cost markets and limits the number of units acquired by hospitals in all markets. Feedback garnered from hospitals in Australia established that radiology departments suffer with a high number of staff injuries associated with strain due to heavy equipment, resulting in lost time and increased overhead. In some instances, patients would need to be moved in order to image, as it is difficult to position existing carts in ICU when other life sustaining equipment is present. Micro-X saw an opportunity to design an ultra-lightweight and manoeuvrable x-ray cart at a lower entry price, by leveraging Carbon Nanotube emitter technology that enables a significantly smaller x-ray head, that is easier to position and balance.
Design Solution
The development of the product focused on user centric design principles. Micro-X worked with several hospitals to understand workflows and what challenges operators faced daily. The design architecture evolved over 6 months of iterative design and prototyping such that radiographers could interact and provide direct feedback to the engineering team. Innovations and IP include; Tusk handles with collimator controls at the tips enabling the correct positioning of focal spot height and adjustment of the X-ray field without the need to lower the head; Ball shaped drive handles with integrated brake buttons that are intuitive and allow the operator to manoeuver the cart standing in any position rather than in a fixed position that constrains their hands; Articulated arm that is 100% balanced over the full range of motion required for positioning without the need for electronic braking or heavy friction based solutions; X-ray shielding that uses a tungsten filled polymer instead of lead for environmental and OHS benefits; and a chassis built from a carbon fibre composite to maximise robustness and minimise weight. The product has met stringent medical device radiation and safety standards.
Design Impact
- Location of business - Micro-X moved from Victoria to set up in Tonsley as first tenants;
- Product leverages local supply chain, sourced and manufactured in Australia (90%);
- Micro-X now has 21 employees and a further 10 FTE contractors. This includes a full manufacturing and supply team from Holden, who have been reskilled in medical device manufacturing;
- All product will be exported and distributed globally by our distribution partner Carestream Health, the market leader in mobile x-ray;
- Micro-X is investing in local research programs and collaborating with Australian universities;
- Market feedback from recent trade exhibitions in North and South America, Europe and the Middle East has been very positive, resulting in strong confidence in the pending product launch and global sales volumes.