UltraPortable X-ray / PDX 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 called PDX 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. In addition ultra-portable X-ray / PDX systems remove from the patients the burden (cost and time) of transportation by taking screening services to the people. Facilitated by CAD/AI to instantly and accurately read high quality chest radiographs, ultra-portable X-ray is also contributing to infection control and is transforming screening for active TB worldwide including for childhood TB.
According to WHO, the use of portable X-ray (PDX) 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.
2018 ultra-portable X-ray introduction: 24 KG Backpack PDX 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 complete PDX system is fully battery-powered and now weighs about 24 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 PDX can also be used to diagnose fractures in extremities.
- Fit for easy & safe transport on motorbikes and kanos.
- Operable in any remote setting designed for use in areas with high ambient temperatures and elevated humidity.
2023 ultra-portable X-ray introduction: 90 kV Delft Ultra compact PDX
This addition to the ultra-portable X-ray (PDX) landscape solution portfolio was announced at the 2023 UNION Conference in Paris and aims to provide access to truly ultra-portable digital X-ray with fully integrated CAD compatibility. This next generation PDX system is compact, ultra-portable and allows the operator to take low cost digital X-ray images almost everywhere. It acquires images and wirelessly transmits these to an archive (PACS) via the on-board workstation, hosted within the camera. By combining this PDX with CAD software, rapid and accurate TB screening is possible in the most remote and resource-constrained areas to reach 90% of the most vulnerable, underserved and 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 (PDX) used for higher daily throughput 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.
PDX 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 PDX and 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.
Ultra-Portable X-Ray (PDX) 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 (PDX) 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.
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.
