GE Healthcare has launched India's first affordable, true digital flat panel X-ray system, 'Tejas DR-F', rated as the new standard of safety and affordability for radiology practices in India.

Currently available x-ray systems in the country are low-powered, bulky and employ outdated technology compromising on image quality and radiation dose. Both developed and emerging countries have phased out the outdated 2-pulse x-ray technology, which is still extensively used in India.

This is where GE Healthcare under its 'In India, for India' programme is now manufacturing at its facility in Bangalore Tejas DR-F which will cost 40 percent lesser than imported digital x-ray systems. It will also reduce the radiation significantly.

According to V Raja, president & CEO, GE Healthcare South Asia Tejas DR-F is designed to support the safety of patients. Last year, the Tejas XR 6000 was developed and it is the only analog (film) x-ray upgradeable to digital manufactured in India.

Tejas DR-F has been designed keeping in mind the needs of the clinician, radiographer and patient at an affordable price tag. "This is in line with our vision of 'Early Health' to bring in affordable solutions to fill in the technology gap in India," he said.

The new x-ray provides high-resolution digital images for general radiography. Digital image acquisition supports fast and efficient exam procedures, eliminating time spent in handling film and cassettes, as well as reliability issues inherent in cassette tray systems.

GE's patented digital detector is designed to accommodate high patient volume and provide highest image quality. Its patented digital flat panel detector offers high x-ray absorption and patented low-noise electronics to take full advantage of the available signal and thus helps reduce dose, significantly.

The digital x-ray technology allows the exam time to be reduced by 10 times allowing more patient exams and reduces the dose by 30 percent compared to CONVENTIONAL X-ray. With Tejas DR-F the patient image is generated in less than 10 seconds.

"We have started the 'In India, for India' program with the approach to bring global quality technology to India at Indian prices. Tejas is the latest example of this initiative. Though there are 60000 + X-ray systems operational in India, only few systems are truly digital and provide world-class diagnosis quality. It is a huge gap and an opportunity, stated Shireesh Sahai, general manager, Primary Care, GE Healthcare.

Tejas has 270 built-in anatomical programs for anatomy-specific, low-dose x-rays. Tejas is safe, productive and versatile. One can also venture into advanced imaging territory with Tejas DR-F's tissue diagnosing capability.

Further, there is no ceiling suspension. It allows for faster installation without any masonry inputs and saves space. The under-table generator saves precious space and brings easy maintenance. Concealed cables bring enhanced safety and a clean appearance to the x-ray suite.

GE revolutionized the global x-ray market by introducing the first digital x-ray in 1999. GE invested over US$500 million in developing its proprietary flat panel digital x-ray technology and the company has been granted more than 100 US patents.

The total value of the Indian x-ray market is estimated at $ 30 million and expected to reach $ 45 million by 201.