Tuesday, August 30 2005 20:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Engineers at GE's The John F Welch Technology Centre here have designed and developed a lap top sized digital high frequency X-ray system, an affordable,general radiographic system providing better image quality.

According to senior executives of GE Healthcare, the first product to roll out of the R & D Centre here is powered by high frequency X-ray technology enabled by a state-of-the-art generator.

The 'HF Advantage', as the company calls it, is a 'designed in India, designed for India' value product, which 'combines best technology with affordability'.

Gopikrishnan, Business Manager, X-ray, GE Healthcare, South Asia, said the conventional X-ray system cost varies from Rs one lakh to Rs five lakh in India, but compromises on technology, quality and 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 to Rs 2.5 crore, and this high initial investment has prevented its usage in India, he told reporters in Bangalore today (Aug 30, 2005).

Available at less than Rs ten lakh, the GE HF Advantage provides both conventional and digital X-ray technologies and, with its laptop sized digital consolve, makes superior quality imaging affordable for small diagnostic centres and hospitals, according to him.

The X-ray systems currently available in the Indian market are low powered, bulky and employ very old technology, company officials said.

V Raja, President and CEO, GE Healthcare Technologies, South Asia, said globally, radiography technology standard has evolved to high frequency and has replaced conventional X-ray standards.

"The HF Advantage helps us realise our goal of upgrading the level of technology available today to global standards in developing markets like India", Raja said.

Company executives said at the heart of HF Advantage is a x-ray generator that has already been deployed in 20,000 installations worldwide.

By launching the product, GE has created a new segment in India, Raja said. GE has already invested US$ 100 million in the John F Welch Technology Centre in Bangalore , which currently employed 2,500 scientists and engineers.