Portable digital radiography system: technical specifications
technical specifications
Overview
This WHO-IAEA joint publication takes its origin from a substantial and increased need from Member States, donor agencies and NGOs to use “portable” digital radiography systems in different clinical diagnostic applications.
‘‘Portable”
radiographic systems are defined as a subset of “mobile” radiographic equipment, with specific physical and technological characteristics which mainly, but not exclusively, impact the system portability, management and clinical applications.
Consequently, they are designed to be used mainly, but not exclusively, when the planned diagnostic and/or screening activities are located far from health structures or in any case when multiple outreach interventions are socially or economically
convenient and considered an advantage.
The portable diagnostic imaging technology covered by this document will serve not only the pressing demands for tuberculosis screening and triage but also other diseases. Therefore, the requirements,
accessories, hardware and software packages listed in the following specifications are described in detail in order to serve also other pathologies and conditions, like trauma and pneumonia.
Through the definition of "minimum technical
requirements", this document is recommended to support decision-making regarding the selection, incorporation, allocation and use of portable X-ray systems and is intended for health care providers, managers of imaging departments, procurement
and regulatory agencies, policymakers and planning officers in ministries of health, as well as biomedical engineering professionals, medical physicists, the private health sector, medical device industry and intergovernmental and international
agencies.
The technical requirements detailed in this publication refer to a portable radiographic digital system to be used as a complete standalone solution for acquisition, review, presentation, display, storage and transfer of radiographic
images in a resource-limited setting. The system components described in these specifications cover: X-ray Generator; X-ray Generator stand; X-ray Detector; X-ray Detector stand; Portable workstation or PC-console and/or portable remote control-station;
Software and Hardware for data management and communication; case, bag or specifically designed trolley for packing and transportation; and accessories. It does not cover Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) software, for which a separate guidance shall
be sought in disease specific normative documentation (e.g. for TB).
Other relevant publications of Imaging Medical Devices:
WHO - Priority medical devices list for the COVID-19 response and associated technical specifications (Chapter 8 - used as a base for preparing the "portable" technical specifications):
WHO Guidelines and Handbook Modules on Tuberculosis
- WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis Module 2: Screening – Systematic screening for tuberculosis disease
- WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis. Module 3: Diagnosis - Rapid diagnostics for tuberculosis detection 2021 update
- WHO operational handbook on tuberculosis. Module 3: Diagnosis - Rapid diagnostics for tuberculosis detection 2021 update
