Medical imaging diagnostic equipment characterized by non-invasive, efficient, and intuitive features is one of the most important means for disease screening and auxiliary diagnosis in clinical departments. Imaging data accounts for the largest proportion of medical information, including ultrasound diagnostics, DR (digital X-ray imaging devices), CT (computed tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), endoscopy, and nuclear medicine devices. Among these, ultrasound diagnostics and DR have the widest coverage in China, and in recent years, they have been steadily increasing at a rate of about 10%.
Common outpatient imaging examinations usually require visiting fixed ultrasound and radiology departments, where these devices are large, floor-standing units fixed in the department, like this:
However, in some special diagnostic scenarios, such as critically ill patients who should not be moved, remote emergency situations lacking medical resources, temporary field hospitals, outdoor disaster rescue sites, and large animal husbandry treatment, the demand for mobility and flexibility of imaging diagnostic equipment has driven the trend towards portable design.
In recent years, leading global brands of medical imaging diagnostic equipment have launched portable products with different functional features, such as handheld ultrasound diagnostic devices suitable for tiered diagnosis and emergency care, mobile X-ray machines adaptable for bedside and departmental allocation, portable X-ray machines for orthopedics and dentistry, and handheld ultrasound diagnostic devices for home use, all of which have become indispensable aids for improving digital diagnosis efficiency and enhancing patient experience.
To further enhance the development of medical information technology, ensuring the synchronization of diagnostic information within the hospital system, as well as the deployment needs for tiered diagnosis and remote consultations, real-time data transmission from devices and remote management of instruments have become necessary conditions. In the hospital environment, whether fixed or mobile, imaging data must be transmitted in real-time to imaging or imaging analysis systems, and simultaneously connected to the hospital PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System), RIS (Radiology Information System), and patients’ EMR (Electronic Medical Records).
Typically, wired networking is the basic configuration for devices, but it is more suitable for large fixed imaging devices like C-arm DR and CT. For mobile ultrasound diagnostic devices and X-ray cameras, wireless transmission is more flexible and convenient.Recently, Zhilian launched the ALX855 Wi-Fi 5 and ALX856 Wi-Fi 6 series modules, featuring a dual-antenna MIMO design, multiple interface applications, roaming capabilities, and enterprise-level security encryption, suitable for medical imaging devices requiring relatively high data volume transmission, addressing optimization of transmission latency, enhancing stability, and ensuring data security.
Additionally, for traditional mobile ultrasound diagnostic devices and X-ray machines that only have Ethernet connection, Zhilian’s plug-and-play ALXB15 dual-band Wi-Fi 5 bridge tool can meet the needs for wireless upgrades of existing devices and enhance data transmission speeds.
Moreover, from the perspective of safety protection, according to the operational specifications for radiation diagnostic equipment, medical staff, where possible, need to operate the equipment from a distance, especially for large devices with high radiation doses or those requiring remote control from a separate room; in environments with infectious diseases, non-contact remote control/diagnosis is even more necessary.
Zhilian’s ALX412 Bluetooth 5.0 controller can meet the demands for higher transmission rates and wider coverage in such scenarios. Medical staff can use remote control devices to connect via Bluetooth for remote operation of radiation imaging equipment from a separate room. Additionally, this product has the feature of connecting multiple slave devices simultaneously in the main mode, allowing real-time imaging data sharing while connecting to a remote control device. If the equipment needs to support both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for system integration and remote control, Zhilian’s ALXC29 and ALXC2A Combo series modules would be suitable options.
