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UltraPortable X-ray for outreach screening

"Portable” radiographic systems are a subset of “mobile” radiographic equipment, which mainly impact the system portability, management and clinical applications. Consequently, they are designed to be used mainly when the planned diagnostic and/or screening activities are located far from health structures for e.g. outreach interventions. Various new portable X-ray systems are available on the market to reach out to key populations in remote and hard to reach areas. The use of solar-powered battery packs and offline CAD allows for environmentally friendly, rapid and accurate screening for active TB in resource constrained setting.

Community-based screening efforts with mobile/portable digital X-ray have the potential to identify people very early in their disease course and to substantially increase TB detection rates.

According to WHO, the use of portable X-ray in combination with compatible AI (Artificial Intelligence)-powered Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) software solutions could significantly increase the diagnostic capacities of the system, efficacy and efficiency, and its appropriateness and advantages of use [1]. These innovations support the WHO plan to End the Global TB Epidemic by 2035, by innovative Next Generation Total TB screening solutions in support of finding the millions of missing people with TB including those living in remote areas.

Ultraportable X-ray training at Hospital Provincial de Gaza X-ray application training at Hospital Geral da Machava



Tajikistan GDF: user training completed by Ghana Delft team for portable X-ray and CAD

March 2022: DRC NTP user training for portable X-ray completed

User training NTP DRC

2018 portable X-ray introduction: 25 KG Backpack system

At the UNION Conference in The Hague in 2018, the Delft Light was introduced as the next generation portable digital X-ray system. It is optimized for TB screening projects at remote locations. This system comes with a portable X-ray unit allowing for high quality X-ray images. All required components can be powered with a portable (6kg) solar/powerpack. The solar power pack and internal battery capacity recharge the X-ray and detector batteries and power the laptop and CAD4TB tablet during a full day of operation. Spare batteries or external power can further extend the outreach uptime.The backpack solution includes a high resolution flat panel detector, notebook, protection apron and lightweight X-ray unit.

Key technical specifications

  • The whole X-ray system is fully battery-powered and weighs 25 KG.
  • The energy-efficient 90 Kv generator allows for over 250 exposures per day (fully charged) batteries only.
  • Batteries are solar panel rechargeable for off grid use in the field
  • Very portable: can be taken anywhere in a car on motorbike or by walking.
  • The X-ray can also be used to diagnose fractures in extremities.
  • Fit for easy & safe transport on motorbikes and kanos.
  • Operable in any remote setting.

2021 portable X-ray introduction: 2.6 KG Delft Ultra

This highly innovative addition in the CXR market was announced by Delft Imaging in February 2021 and aims to provide access to truly portable digital X-ray with full CAD compatibility. This next generation X-ray system is compact, ultra-portable and allows the operator to take low cost digital X-ray images. It acquires images and wirelessly transmits these to an archive (PACS) via the on-board workstation, hosted within the camera. By combining this Delft Ultra with CAD4TB v7 software, rapid and accurate TB screening is possible in the most remote and resource-constrained areas to reach 90% of the most vulnerable, underserved, at-risk populations. In addition this next generation portable digital X-ray system further supports the objective of cost-effectiveness and affordability of active case finding by TB programs as its capital investment cost is significantly below other ultra-portable systems used for TB screening.

Key technical specifications

  • Wireless and ultra-portable AI empowered X-ray screening for TB disease in key populations and difficult to reach areas.
  • Package consists off; Xray tube with integrated mini PC, detector, holder and tripod stand.
  • Xray technique; fixed 90kV, 2-5 mA, expose time 0,05-1,3 seconds.
  • Weight < 10 kg for complete system (excluding accessories).
  • Integrated easy to use solution for rapid set-up in the field; easy to assemble, setup takes around 5 minutes.
  • CAD4TB can be integrated in the compact X-ray camera, so no need for the CAD4TB box.
  • Use case: household screening and outreach programs accessible by motor, canoe or walking.
  • Accessories: integrated powerpack and solar panel, tube and detector stands.
  • Maximizes productivity in the field with long-lasting battery performance and solar panel recharging; up to ~150 images per working day.
  • FDA 510(k) cleared system guarantees the safety of X-ray operations.
  • Low cost state-of-the-art fully digital X-ray system for affordable active TB case findings.

Delft Ultra/CAD4TB used by University of Cape Town for research

Delft Ultra with CAD4TB allow for a rapid and reliable offline abnormality heatmap scoring within 1 minute

Portable X-ray for facility and outreach TB screening in Kenya

The Goal: Active TB case finding in hard-to-reach communities in Kenya with free services.

Introducing New Tools Project (iNTP): Kenya, June 2022. “One major benefit of the machines is portability hence improving access to TB screening and diagnosis at lower-level health facilities and at the community level. These portable radiology devices are characterized with reduced exposure to radiation and cost-effectiveness thus being user friendly. This patient-centred provision of free services is likely to reduce the time to diagnosis, reduce the number of tests needed to diagnose a TB patient as well as reducing the catastrophic cost incurred due to diagnosis.”


Improving TB Case Finding through the use of CAD4TB in Siaya County, Kenya:

Source: Division of National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Lung Disease program - June 2023:
Introducing New Tools Project (iNTP) accelerated efforts to find the missing cases by rolling out CAD4TB for Chest X-ray at amongst others Madiany sub-county Hospital.

Regional officer USAID TB ARC II Nyanza

recommends the scale-up of CAD4TB and X-ray to every GeneXpert site as per WHO guidelines to ensure targeted testing and reduction in cartridge wastage. “If a patient scores above 60 (CAD4TB) then they are referred to clinicians for sputum testing to confirm TB. Data shows that at least 2 out of 10 people sent to the lab for testing will turn out positive for TB, hence with targeted testing a reduction in cartridge wastage”.
June 2023
Facility radiographer

praises the efficiency, effectiveness and user-friendly nature of the portable machine which involves taking the X-ray images and utilizing the built-in AI for interpretation. “This machine is superior to other, providing satisfaction when diagnosing patients, initiating treatment and witnessing their health improvement”.
June 2023
Medical super-intendent Madiany sub-county:

“In a day we serve an average of 200-300 clients of which 10 are likely to be TB patients. Compared to last year our TB diagnosis increased by 50% meaning we were missing cases as a result of the absence of the machine”.
June 2023
TB/HIV officer:

Previously we had to refer clients to distant hospitals which posed challenges due to transportation cost and patient X-ray fees resulting in delayed diagnosis. However, with CAD4TB and CXR we now screen clients on-site and accompany those who require further testing free of charge. If TB is detected they initiate treatment. .
June 2023

Portable X-ray for outreach TB screening in Nigeria

The Goal: To increase active TB case finding in hard-to-reach communities in Nigeria within the TB LON Regions.

KNCV applied the below algorithm whereby the Delft Light was used to identify presumptive TB cases based on the CAD4TB abnormality score. Any subject with a CAD abnormality score > 60 was eligible for Xpert MTB/RIF testing.

Flow Algorithm
Nigeria NTP user experience, sharing for Delft Light

With DL we screen in the field up to 250 people/day, with a fully charged battery, which is a game changer for finding the missing people with TB in hard to reach areas.
May 2022
StopTB Partnership on Nigeria

The 10 backpack Delft Light X-ray systems with CAD4TB software perpetual licenses will allow Nigeria to improve TB screening in hard-to-reach places, and the 38 Truenat systems will make it easier for people in Nigeria to receive rapid molecular testing for TB where they seek care.
May 2022

Outreach screening with Wellness on Keke in Nigeria

Screening in a remote village in Kano by KNCV Nigeria Radiographer

Nigeria KNCV/IHVN user experience sharing for Delft Light on May 5th 2022
Webinar of StopTB Focus Group on AI based imaging for TB

Implementing CAD and Ultra-Portable X-ray in Nigeria

  • With DL backpack X-ray we see no issue to screen up to 250 per day with fully charged battery.
  • Being able to operate both offline and online allows for DL to be deployed in hard to reach areas without mobile phone or internet connectivity.
  • Image quality is comparable to the WoW Truck and other stationary X-ray systems.
  • Delft Light image resolution at its best.
  • Detector and hanger / frame is highly adoptable and easy to use.
  • Operational presumptive TB threshold is CAD4TB score 50+ based on prior experience..
  • Local technical service center plus local equipment parts needed.

Pictures from the KNCV outreach TB screening program in Nigeria