Mobile facilities to help UK radiology departments meet expected increase in imaging capacity requirements after immediate COVID-19 response
The first orders of Canon Medical’s relocatable CT scanners that can work outside the normal healthcare environment, for example, in hospital car parks or in newly created arena field health centres, have been received. The CT Scan Units can tackle routine imaging diagnostics in the areas of cancer and heart disease that were put on hold during the initial response stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Drawing on its close partnerships with bespoke modular buildings and mobile trailer manufacturers, Canon Medical has quickly and collaboratively developed a new fast build mobile CT Scan Unit. The first units are nearing completion and will provide a clinically safe environment to meet increasing imaging capacity demands or to keep highly infectious patients separate from normal routine CT examinations.
The relocatable scanning units are equipped with Aquilion Prime SP, Aquilion Lighting SP, or the top of the range Aquilion One Genesis CT scanners and include control room and small changing/storage areas. They can be easily transported to locations that need them by road. Designed with the correct clinical flooring, hospital grade heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) requirements plus datalink connectivity, the system can be deployed as a fast response to high dependent patients in the current crisis and can be operational within hours. All CT scanners inside the CT Scan Units feature ‘InnerVision™’ a remote diagnostics software that can predict, diagnose or fix system issues fast without the need for engineers to visit sites.
“For many years, we have worked closely with UK customers in flexing-up imaging requirements during winter pressures, emergency incidents, or building works, by providing our best-of-breed CT scanners in mobile trailers or relocatable units,” states Mark Hitchman, Managing Director at Canon Medical Systems UK. “Today, we put that imaging versatility into rapid and scaled-up production to meet the needs of front-line UK radiology teams following the initial response stages to the COVID-19 crisis. As medical technology innovators, it is our duty to react quickly and be there to support the needs of our NHS at this unprecedented time.”
Photo caption: The first orders of Canon Medical’s CT Scan Units that can work outside the normal healthcare environment have been received.