Instant digital X-rays speed surgery

The Faxitron MX-20 consists of a shielded Xray cabinet with a digital camera in its base that provides high resolution electronic X-ray images of any tissue sample at up to five times radiographic magnification. Its large field size (12 cm x 12 cm) makes it particularly popular with breast surgeons.

Mr Bucknall, consultant breast surgeon at the hospital, explained: “The camera’s variable depth of focus makes it possible for us to look at the individual calcifications and arrangements of the ducts within the specimen, which is very important because subtle changes within certain calcified areas can indicate tumour and pre-cancerous conditions.”

“Previously, we had to take each specimen to the X-ray department and develop the film – which delayed the operation by up to 30 minutes. It is now possible to operate on approximately two more patients per day.”