Optimizing Portable X-Ray Machines with Superior Battery Technology
Unless you have a specific need for them in a line of work, it’s unlikely that you’re familiar with portable X-ray machines. However, they’re vital pieces of medical gear around the globe, and they help save lives every day.
Unfortunately, that life-saving equipment has to be powered somehow, and as you’ll see, portable X-ray machines aren’t typically used where power is readily available.
Today, we’re going to go over the revolutionary tech powering such critical equipment, how it all works, and how you can get the most out of your equipment if you’re in a situation where using one is necessary.
Let’s get started.
Understanding Portable X-Ray Machines
X-ray machines in general are complicated pieces of equipment. When you scale them down and make them portable, that becomes an even bigger issue.
First, the basics of an X-ray are that the part of the body being imaged is positioned in front of a sheet of paper, and the X-ray uses electrons to “flash” at the target. This leaves a shadow image on the paper positioned behind the target, and trained professionals can use that image to notice broken bones and a variety of other issues.
This is done by a small tungsten filament that is heated. The heat of the filament generates electrodes and launches them through a tube system pointed at the target.
With normal X-ray machines, the power used to heat up the filament and start the chain reaction comes from the grid. With a portable unit, batteries are used to create that energy source. This does require a substantial amount of power. So, the battery used must be fairly large to allow for frequent usage.
Safety Measures in Portable X-Ray Equipment
Portable X-ray machines are just as safe as their regular counterparts. There isn’t any real added danger.
However, there are concerns regarding X-rays in general.
Because the image is taken by flashing the target with high-speed electrons, there are numerous health concerns involved with X-ray machines. X-rays can cause cancer, destroy cells and tissues, burn the skin, or even cause death.
That sounds horrible, but don’t shy away from them just yet.
Those risks are primarily concerns when you’re exposed to X-rays far more than you should be. None of those issues are commonly experienced during the X-ray process used to simply diagnose a broken bone, internal growth, or anything like that. However, it is crucial that the specialist administering X-rays knows what they’re doing. Taking too many images in too short of a time, allowing patients to be X-rayed frequently with each visit, and other poor choices do cause those problems. Skin burns can be experienced with a single X-ray session, though.
The only real difference when it comes to portable X-rays is that they can potentially catch fire. Lithium batteries are stable and safe, but if the machine or battery is damaged, you’re using it in conditions the battery isn’t capable of withstanding, or similar factors are present, there is a fire risk.
However, that risk is present with basically every modern electronic that is battery-operated. When things are misused, they tend to create undesired side effects that aren’t part of the item’s normal function. The same applies to batteries.
Current Market Trends in Portable X-Ray Technology
So, who is actually using portable X-ray machines, and why are they being used over proper, stationary, x-ray units?
Well, primarily, portable X-ray machines are used in situations when it’s not practical to move the patient to a stationary unit.
For example, hospitals typically keep a supply of portable X-ray machines for situations when a patient requires an X-ray, but moving the patient to a new wing or room can cause more trouble than it’s worth. It’s easier to pack up the portable X-ray machine, set it up in the patient’s room, and take images there.
They can also be used by hospitals if, for some reason, x-rays are needed, but the stationary unit requires service or there are more patients than there are stationary units.
Another use for them is in special medical environments.
Think of mobile healthcare clinics or missionary healthcare services abroad. A mobile healthcare clinic can’t set up a stationary X-ray machine in a mobile system. So, portable units are used when that’s a service covered by the clinic. Traveling doctors helping people in emergency aid situations or in countries that don’t have access to modern healthcare regularly can also make use of portable options.
In any case, portable X-ray machines are relatively new medical solutions, and they’re finding more use in the industry every day by a variety of technicians and establishments. With them becoming a pivotal part of many professionals’ work lives, there’s nowhere to go but up in terms of market demand.
The Critical Role of Batteries in Mobile X-Ray Units
We talked earlier about portable X-ray machines requiring batteries to operate, as well as some details about what can go wrong with them, but it’s more complicated than that.
First, there’s the safety aspect. They do require quick bursts of energy, and that means that the battery used must be able to safely discharge that energy without swelling, catching fire, exploding, or otherwise catastrophically failing. Safety features built into the battery prevent those issues.
However, there are other aspects of the battery to look at.
In a proper medical setting, portable X-ray machines aren’t constantly in use. If the need for X-rays isn’t high for a while, and there are stationary options available, a portable unit might not see use for an extended period. In that case, the discharge efficiency of the battery has to be high. You don’t want the battery to drain itself, and then you go to use it, and the battery is dead.
In a more “pop-up” setting such as a clinic or emergency aid situation, the battery capacity and charging time are both critical factors. If a patient has a broken arm, and you need to see the extent of the damage, there’s no time to sit around waiting for a battery to charge. If there’s a broken rib preventing proper breathing, the consequences of waiting can be even more serious or life-threatening.
Finally, in some situations such as foreign aid endeavors, the battery might be exposed to extreme temperature conditions that some batteries simply can’t operate in effectively or safely.
The solution to all of these problems is to use lithium batteries.
Lithium batteries power most high-end electronics we all use in modern life. They’re stable, have a higher capacity, and they last longer.
However, it’s crucial to focus on the quality of the battery you’re buying. Not all lithium batteries are the same, and some will underperform despite being lithium and matching your X-ray machine’s overall requirements. You also need to consider special features that can add functionality and safety to the battery you’re using. Sometimes, just a basic lithium battery isn’t enough.
The Advantages of Choosing MANLY Batteries for Portable X-Rays
As we said, the battery you use is important. Not every battery supplier provides a product that can handle the unique needs of a portable X-ray machine.
However, MANLY Battery can.
MANLY is a world-renowned battery supplier that is known for providing the highest quality batteries to customers and manufacturers in practically every market around the world. We have a large selection of off-the-shelf batteries available for quick and easy ordering, but we also provide custom-made batteries to match the exact requirements of any product you’re using or making.
There are several traits that make MANLY stand out as your go-to battery supplier.
First, our batteries last longer and maintain their reliability throughout their lifespan. You can expect to enjoy up to 5000 charging cycles or 10-15 years of service from our batteries before it’s time to purchase a replacement. On top of that, our batteries maintain around 90% of their performance for their entire lifetime. With other lithium batteries, you can expect a sharp decline in performance after just a few years, and the difference is extremely noticeable. With MANLY, you can buy batteries less often and still get top-tier performance.
The features we pack into our batteries are also the top reasons our customers keep coming back.
As a standard design for all our batteries, you get the highest quality safety features. Not only are our batteries built with reinforcement in mind to prevent damage or dangerous situations due to drops and other mistakes, but they’re also protected from electrical issues. Undercurrent, overcurrent, short-circuiting, and various other electronic protections are added to make sure your MANLY battery shuts off safely instead of being fried due to unpreventable situations. Temperature protection is also in place. While our batteries perform at higher and lower temperatures than the average battery, they also know exactly when to shut off to prevent a serious issue.
Finally, we’re dedicated to our customers. You can reach out to us at any time, and our team of the finest customer service professionals can take an order, help you with a service ticket, or simply answer your questions before you commit to a purchase.
We recommend trying our MANLY 24V 30ah battery, MANLY 12V 7ah battery, or MANLY 48V 10ah battery solutions depending on what your specific model of portable X-ray machine needs.
For your portable X-ray machine, you need the best battery supplier available. Contact MANLY Battery today.
