Healthcare Sector Is Advancing Rapidly: Atantra Das Gupta
How are Samsung's advanced x-ray imaging machines different from the rest of the market?
Samsung is committed to its mission of providing health and wellbeing through the latest technology, delivered by innovative medical devices. Our focus is on technology offerings that encourage market adoption of Digital Radiography (DR). DR is not only a superior technology in comparison to Computed Radiography/Conventional Radiography but also offers numerous benefits.
The key advantages of DR technology are superior image quality and low radiation levels. Samsung specializes in low dose and offers Advanced Assistive Intelligence features, which is a competitive advantage. Samsung has been a pioneer in the introduction of AI-based Diagnostic features in DR and has migrated some of the features from higher modalities such as CT/MRI to enhance user experience, comfort and offerings.
Our mobile DRs come with inbuilt Li-ion batteries that allow the machine to run without electricity. These machines deliver 200 X-rays in one full charge. To offer comfort to doctors and technicians, the machines comes with a motor so that it can be moved from one location to another with ease.
What are some of the exclusive features of this machine and in what ways it is going to be beneficial for the patients?
The innovative features of these X-ray machines are designed to offer quality, precision and convenience to doctors as well as patients. Some of the unique features are:
Low Dose Technique – Patients are exposed to very low levels of radiation, ensuring their safety while also offering improved image quality.
ALND (Automatic Lung Nodule Detection) – It marks the regions in relation to lung nodules and helps to have precise diagnosis.
Pediatrics Dose Management – Unique technique that offers a selection of doses for Pediatrics based on body weight and not just age.
S-Align – A feature that aligns the detector with the X-ray Tube to be parallel so that repeat X-rays can be avoided.
Does it guarantee to provide accurate and authentic results?
Samsung is committed to offering medical products which not only provide excellent image quality but advanced efficient workflow and high patient throughput. Our operating philosophy is to provide innovate healthcare solutions that complement doctors in confident diagnosis and offer improvement in their workflow. The Assistive Intelligence and operational features have been developed with years of user understanding and R&D in which the design is aimed to deliver deliver accuracy and enhanced user experience.
What are the required advancements in tech that is lacking in the present healthcare system?
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the need for much more technologically advanced solutions that provide a much quicker and accurate response for diagnosis. We are seeing a move from traditional analogue X-ray machines to Digital X-ray machines. These machines come with several advancements.
For example, lead-acid batteries are quite common in the healthcare industry. These batteries have poor efficiency and are not environmentally friendly. Samsung uses Lithium-Ion Batteries in its mobile DR systems to power the motors. Rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries are easy to maintain, have a longer life and are easy to recharge.
Another such example is dependence on X-Ray films which needs to be reconsidered as this is a digital generation. The move to digital X-ray machines will change this.
How is Samsung going to work in this domain to fill the gaps in future?
We are working hard to drive educational initiatives by supporting and organizing Continuing Medical Education (CMEs). Doctors and medical professionals can participate in these CMEs to enhance their medical knowledge and learn about advanced diagnosis techniques. Through these educative sessions, we aim to help in the adoption of advanced technologies.
Samsung has always been a pioneer in advanced technology and by using AI, we foresee a paradigm shift in the usage of DR systems from just taking routine X-rays to a more value-added Self-diagnosis system. This shift will not only help radiologist but also technicians and patients in general. With digital radiology, waiting time for patients has come down and the quality of diagnosis has been enhanced drastically.
Does advancement in tech increase the level of unaffordability among the low-income group and create class disparity?
Currently, the healthcare sector is advancing at a rapid pace with new technological advancements and innovations.
X-rays are the oldest modality which was the basis for several the other technologies such as fluoroscopy, CT, Angiography etc. However, compared to the cost of those technologies, X-ray is an affordable solution that has a low radiation dose. Government Hospitals, research centres and clinics across tier 2/3 towns are upgrading themselves with advanced devices, which will ensure reach and accessibility to all sections of the society.
At Samsung, we work closely with government hospitals to make healthcare available at the grassroots level through our CSR initiative Samsung Smart Healthcare. In the last year alone, 56 new Samsung Smart Healthcare centres were added in hospitals across 19 states. These centres are equipped with modern Digital X-ray and Digital Ultrasound machines made by Samsung.
