GE Healthcare launches Tejas XR 6000

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GE Healthcare , the US$17 billion healthcare business of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) today announced the launch of "Tejas XR 6000", a next generation convertible X ray system in India.  The new Tejas XR 6000 will be manufactured at GE Healthcare's plant in Bangalore. GE continues to focus on increasing affordability of higher end diagnostic systems to Indian doctors through local manufacturing.  GE has rolled out a series of value products under the "In India, for India" program and is expecting to roll out several variants of Tejas X-ray systems during 2008. 

 

X-ray is the primary and most widely used diagnostic imaging tool.  However, the X-ray systems currently available in the Indian market are low powered, bulky and employ very old generator technology. The conventional X-ray system cost varies from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs.5 lakh, but compromises on technology, quality & radiation dose.  The next level - Fully Digital X-ray systems offer the most enhanced imaging solutions and are available in the range of Rs 1.5 crore - Rs 2.5 crore. This high initial investment has restricted its usage in India. The GE Tejas XR 6000 is available at a very affordable price, less than Rs 15 lakh, and provides the best of both worlds - conventional and future upgradeability to digital X-ray technologies. Tejas XR 6000 can be upgraded to a true digital X-ray at a fraction of the cost of digital X-rays available in the market today.

 

An estimated 60,000+ X-ray systems are in use in Indian hospitals and diagnostic centres.  The market growth is estimated at more than 10% every year. Today, most of the Indian X-ray systems in use are older, out-dated technologies, which have been phased out in many developed and emerging countries.  

 

Outlining the growth plan for the Indian market, Mr. V Raja, President and CEO, South Asia, said, "Tejas", an 'In India, For India" initiative, is in alignment with GE Healthcare's vision to promote the concept of "Early Health" in India. Currently, 80% of X rays that are installed in the market are conventional X-rays as digital technology is not affordable for most Indian healthcare professionals. GE Healthcare has taken a significant step to address this need by making digital technology available at substantially reduced cost. X-ray is the primary and most widely used diagnostic imaging tool. This will help radiologists upgrade an analogue X-ray into digital X-ray for less than Rs. 60 Lakhs."

 

GE revolutionized the X-ray market by introducing the first digital X-ray in 1999.  GE invested over US$ 500 million in developing its proprietary flat panel digital X-ray technology and the company has been granted more than 100 US patents.  The technology is extended to multiple applications like cath-labs, mammography systems and a number of radiography X-ray applications.  GE is one of the very few manufacturers in the world to manufacture digital detectors and over 10,000+ digital systems are in use globally. GE's flat panel detector provides reliability and an optimized image quality for all digital radiography systems.

 

Mr. Chiranjiv Singh, Business Manager, X-ray, GE Healthcare South Asia said, "The Tejas XR 6000 is an 'In India, for India' product that helps us realize our goal of upgrading the level of technology available today in India to global standards. The Tejas XR 6000 offers radiologists better images for better patient outcomes. The latest High Frequency generators, fine focal spot tube and other technological features would deliver a fast workflow, accurate images and low dosage advantages to the Indian customer.   Tejas goes one step forward and is designed to convert to a digital X-ray system at any time when the customer would prefer to go digital and helps them avoid obsolescence.

 

The modern, floating radiographic table has altered our clinical approach in several ways. Patients find it much easier to get on and off this table. Further, the floating tabletop allows easy positioning of the extremities and various body parts for both routine and difficult radiographic examinations. The size of the floating tabletop radiographic table, is wider to accommodate trauma patients, and patients who would find it difficult to be positioned on a routine radiographic table.

 

According to Shireesh Sahai, General Manager of "In India, for India" program for GE Healthcare, "The Company will endeavor to continue to lead the industry with its commitment to technology, innovation and its ability to incorporate important input from leading medical professionals around the world. GE is in a unique position to significantly improve the affordability of X-ray technologies as we have in-house capability of manufacturing digital detectors globally, backed by a complete and capable research team and manufacturing plant in India.

 

With the Tejas XR 6000 convertible technology, GE Healthcare has provided a platform for Indian doctors to move towards a global standard of digital X-ray systems.  The Tejas XR 6000 provides superior images at very low exposure surpassing conventional X-rays every time. The system creates a safer imaging environment by reducing exposure time, lowering radiation dose and eliminating soft radiation compared to conventional X-rays.

 

Sourced From: Genesis Burson-Marsteller