GLOBAL
INTERMED USA
Used X-Cel and MinXray Units
X-Rays have
been used medically since the time of Roentgen to visualize shadows of
internal anatomic structures. They are high energy photons that are often
categorized as gamma rays. The main difference between the two is that
most x-rays are generated by man-made machines while gamma radiation is found
throughout the universe and is often referred to as cosmic radiation.
Conversely, gamma radiation can be induced by compiling enriched isotopes
that can in turn be used to diagnose and treat disease. Both X-rays and
gamma rays
can ionize genetic material that later returns to a more stable state that
does not always have the exact same structure as what existed prior to the
time it was ionized. This mutagenic property is what is most feared by
patients and others who are exposed to diagnostic x-rays. In higher doses,
x-ray radiation can be cyto-toxic and cause thermal type injuries, cellular
mitotic arrest, nausea, vomiting, seizures and a host of other unpleasant
and often life-threatening disease states. Ergo, it is critical that the
prospective operators of these machines be well educated in the nature of
x-ray radiation and the proper operation of x-ray generating devices to
insure patient safety.
Some States require Podiatrists to use lead-lined dry
wall in their x-ray rooms while most of them do not take x-rays above the
patients' waists. Doctors might want to ask their State Physicist if
they would allow lining the walls of their x-ray rooms to a level of 4' from
the floor prior to installation to save costs. Lead-lined dry wall comes in
4' x 8' sheets that can be mounted laterally rather than vertically with the
upper 3 to 4 plus feet covered with standard dry wall. If allowed, this will
result in a significant cost savings to the Doctor.
Presently, there are many quality used x-ray machines on the market. Most Podiatrists are very familiar with the MinXray and X-Cel Portable, Mid-Base and Wall-Mount units after having been introduced to them in the Podiatry schools, during their Residencies and at Seminars. Global Intermed commonly carries a number of these used units and offers them to the Podiatrists refurbished with a one year 100% parts & labor or replacement warranty. The units appear in near-new condition at the time of delivery.
The modern X-Cel line began with the AP 75 which included
an adjustable disc light collimator. Although this collimator projects
target cross hairs onto the center of the cassette, the limits of the
exposed area is not well delineated. The AP 75 base is at least 8" high and a bit cramped for most
patients in terms of the area they have to stand on. It has a slot near the
middle that enables the Doctors to insert 8" x 10" or 10" x 12" Cassettes to
take Lateral split films or ankle views. A post is mounted at one corner of
the base to provide a support for the timer and perhaps a place for patients
to hold while on the base to steady themselves. These units were even provided with
an insert for using Day Pak film sans intensifying screens. All three
parameters (MA, kVp and elapsed time) can be adjusted on all of the Podiatry X-Cel units
that include the AP 75.
Many are still in use today and can be certified in most, if not all
of the States (including New Jersey).
X-cel upgraded the AP 75 with the P 75 and later the P 75D. These
units sported a new timer with separate MA and VDC Meters. The company
lowered the base to 6" high and enlarged the surface area to give the
patients more room to stand on. In addition, the pole was replaced with a
double posted rail that provided a place for the timer to be mounted and had
a grab bar for patients to hold while having their foot/feet x-rayed. These
units were manufactured with interchangeable
plates to calibrate the light collimator so that it outlined the cassettes and projected a target
shadow to the center of the field. After that, the P 75 and P 75D were
upgraded to the P 700 although all three models remained very similar in appearance.
X-cel improved the P 700 later to include
an
adjustable light collimator that is contained within the tube head (P 700
A/C) unlike the
prior collimator plates that were attached to the exterior of it. The
adjustable collimator has two knobs located on a side of the tube head to
adjust independently the X and Y axis while projecting a cross hair target
shadow onto the area of interest. Although this feature is very useful when
taking x-rays with a Mobile or Wall-mount unit, it has limited value when
used on a mid-base configuration because the focal distance is fixed by the
arm and the slot in the base with lateral views. The picture at right can be
compared with the one above immediately to see the difference between a
plate collimated P 700 and one with adjustable collimation (P 700 A/C).
The next model introduced by
X-Cel was the MB 700 A/C that initially had an analog timer like all of the
previous models but an expanded surface area on the approximate 5" high base.
Later, X-Cel enhanced the timer with digital circuitry adjustment controls to replace the prior
analog dials. Small changes have been made to this unit over the past
few years but the model has remained essentially the same in appearance since
X-Cel first
introduced it with the digital timer. The company also made two variations
of the MB 700 A/C. One, called the "Low Boy" (LB 700 A/C) comes with an
approximate 4" high base and special hardware to take lateral split films.
Although the bases are low relatively making it easier for patients to
mount, the need requirement for
special hardware to take lateral split films is labor intensive and not all that popular with the
Technicians or Assistants who take the films.
MinXray
produced the P200 series in a Mobile,
Mid-Base and Wall-Mount configuration. Currently, the company only offers
the Mid-Base and Portable units. The P 200 was manufactured with a much
smaller and lighter weight tube head
than the X-Cel and was fired with a solid state Timer than can be held in the palm of the
hand. In fact, a number of them required service after being dropped because
they were so small and light. In addition, these units included a light
collimator that was calibrated with plates fixed to the exterior of the head
(much like the X-Cel P 700 and earlier models) to define the outermost boundaries of the
area to be exposed. The collimator also projects a target shadow onto the center of the
field. Unlike the X-Cel
units, the elapsed time is the only function that can be adjusted.
Restated, the MA and kVp are fixed in the used MinXray line. This might seem
like a significant draw-back in terms of versatility but viewed from another
perspective, Technicians and Assistants make fewer errors with these units.
The portable model also requires an orthoposer like the one featured in the
picture located to the left of this paragraph. In summary, MinXray units take excellent
films and many are still in use today ranging as
far back as 1978. MinXray sold many units in all of the different
configurations (like X-Cel) so parts are readily available.
The tube head and timer were also mounted on a
mid-base configuration that is very similar to the X-Cel Mid-Base model. In
particular, the tube head is mounted on an arm with a fixed focal distance.
The base contains center slots to enable the operator to take lateral split
film views easily from either side. MinXray also included a double posted
hand rail (not shown in the picture) for patient safety. The MinXray
mid-base configuration is very comparable to the one manufactured by X-Cel
in my opinion.
The company
later upgraded the P 200 tube head to include an adjustable
light collimator and located the solid state timer mechanism within the head
itself
employing a dead man's switch to fire the unit. The base of the most recent
models feature
three double posted rails to insure patient safety while X-Cel continues to rely on one.
We strongly recommend the Doctors attach grab bars (readily available at
Sears and Builders' Supply Centers) to the wall studs
surrounding the X-Cel and MinXray Mid-Base units as well as any orthoposers for patients to steady themselves.
Replacement collimator bulbs are usually available at photo supply shops.
It makes sense for doctors who are established and can use the tax deductions to purchase new x-ray machines. However, for those who are engaged in assembling equipment for their first practice or opening a satellite office, used x-ray machines offer an opportunity to realize significant savings. The most expensive used x-rays that we sell are approximately 50% the cost of equivalent new units while many are substantially less. We refurbish and calibrate all of our x-rays prior to delivery and warrant them 100% parts & labor or replacement for 1 year from the time of delivery. Moreover, we continue to support them after that. Please feel free to call or write for details and let us know how we can help. Ask for Mark or Sue.
Global Intermed
19876 Henry Rd.
Fairview Park, OH 44126
Tel: 440.333.0007
Fax: 440.333.4902
parkhaven@hotmail.com
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