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SA leads world with rapid X-rays
by Liesl Venter
2001-11-22

South African experts have made a significant breakthrough in one of the most difficult fields of medicine - radiology. In a world first, a digital, low-dosage X-ray diagnostic imaging system was launched in Johannesburg yesterday. Known as the Lodox System it will be showcased to the world this weekend in Chicago, and is expected to put South Africa on the world medical imaging map like never before. A prototype has already been installed at Groote Schuur. According to Dr Friedland, taking X-rays in a trauma unit is often very difficult and time-consuming. This was also the view of Dr Ken Boffard, head of trauma at the Johannesburg Hospital, who said at least 20% of injuries are not diagnosed when a patient arrives at a trauma unit while another 20% of injuries are misdiagnosed. The Lodox System, designed by the commercial/technical division of De Beers, meets three essential requirements - low X-ray dosage, high accuracy and rapidity. An image of the patient was available almost immediately, compared to conventional X-rays. Lodox has 20 times less x-ray dosage than that which is currently used when scanning patients. (Source: The Citizen, 21 November 2001)

South African experts have made a significant breakthrough in one of the most difficult fields of medicine - radiology.

In a world first, a digital, low-dosage X-ray diagnostic imaging system was launched in Johannesburg yesterday.

Known as the Lodox System it will be showcased to the world this weekend in Chicago, and is expected to put South Africa on the world medical imaging map like never before.

We are going to see this machine in trauma centres all over the world, said Dr Richard Friedland, Netcare Chief Operating Officer.

"Lodox has changed the world of trauma radiology.

The first Lodox System will be implemented at our Milpark trauma unit early next year.

Milpark Hospital is currently ranked the busiest private trauma centre in the country.

A prototype has already been installed at Groote Schuur.

According to Dr Friedland, taking X-rays in a trauma unit is often very difficult and time-consuming.

This was also the view of Dr Ken Boffard, head of trauma at the Johannesburg Hospital, who said at least 20% of injuries are not diagnosed when a patient arrives at a trauma unit while another 20% of injuries are misdiagnosed.

This machine will enable us to find all the injuries on a patient in a very short time.

The Lodox System, designed by the commercial/technical division of De Beers, meets three essential requirements - low X-ray dosage, high accuracy and rapidity.

It is extremely fast, scanning the whole body in approximately 13 seconds.

By comparison, repeated exposures would be required on traditional X-ray systems in order to match Lodox's image size, said Herman Potgieter, responsible for technological development of the system.

An image of the patient was available almost immediately, compared to conventional X-rays.

This means a rapid assessment of the nature and extent of a patient's injuries, with interventions taking place much sooner.

Potgieter told The Citizen Lodox has 20 times less x-ray dosage than that which is currently used when scanning patients.

Source: The Citizen, 21 November 2001

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