Low-Dose Portable X-Ray System From Kubtec Wins FDA OK

Kubtec has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of the KUB 250, a portable low-dose digital X-ray system designed for the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). 

Compact and lightweight (a 24 inch by 24 inch footprint; 200 lbs.), the KUB 250 is the world’s highest resolution low-dose imaging system available for neonates, the company claims.

“The KUB 250 has been clinically tested to reduce radiation exposure by up to 40 percent with our high resolution imaging technology,” said Chester Lowe, Ph.D., F.A.C.R., research and development director at Kubtec. “Detailed image enhancement tools and 750 ms image readout reduce the need to re-image these fragile patients, eliminating further potential radiation exposure.”

When imaging high risk infants in the NICU, it is critical to track subtle changes in pathology while maintaining the focus on low dose. Current digital X-ray systems maintain pixel resolution in the 150-170 micron range, thereby sacrificing high resolution images in order to keep the radiation dose low. The poor image quality may require facilities to take additional X-rays of the neonate to confirm pathology or PICC line placement, which in turn defeats the purpose of imaging with reduced radiation exposure.

The KUB 250 is the first digital X-ray system to image with 96 micron resolution, providing pediatric radiologists with the highest quality images possible at the lowest dose every time, Kubtec bigwigs noted in a news release. The KUB 250 eliminates the need to take additional X-rays, minimizing radiation dose to the infant by as much as 40 percent for each acquired image.

“We believe the KUB 250 will have a tremendous impact on the treatment of infants as it will provide the physicians with the advantage of better diagnostic quality images while reducing the radiation dose to the patients,” said Vikram Butani, Kubtec’s president. “We are proud to extend our expertise to the most vulnerable patients in the NICU.”

Featuring the smallest footprint in its class, the highly mobile KUB 250 fits easily beside incubators in the NICU. The system features an articulating arm for decubitus views and a lightweight DR detector that slides directly into the incubator slot, eliminating the need to move the neonate and reducing stress. Additionally, as a dedicated system for the NICU, the KUB 250 decreases risk of cross-contamination from other areas of the hospital.

Kubtec, a registered trademark of KUB Technologies Inc., develops and manufactures digital X-ray systems for low-dose neonatal imaging, specimen radiography, scientific research, forensic analysis, non-destructive testing, irradiation and more. Kubtec is ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certified and complies with U.S., Canadian, and European requirements for radiation safety.