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Posts tagged Digital X-Ray

Repairing Digital Xray Sensors In House

Dec29th
2011 8 Comments Written by DentalTechGuy

Dexis PCMCIA Sensor Board

Ever since my last post about repairing a Kodak RVG 6100 sensor for a customer we have been getting at least one phone call a day from doctors around the WORLD looking to have their sensors repaired.  There are of course some sensors that we are unable to repair but more often than not we can fix nearly any issue with any sensor on the market.  We also have the means to test the sensors we repair with a tube head and imaging software.

It doesn’t really surprise me that most, if not all, sensor companies do not repair sensors for their customers.  Repairing sensors is a time consuming and tedious process most of the time.  Sensors have intricate circuit boards, custom connectors like the Swedish made Scher connector that the old Dexis PCMCIA sensors use, and very small gauge wires within them making it difficult to replace wires or fix solder points.

Every sensor that we receive gets at minimum 4 hours of man hours into each repair.  Sometimes it takes even longer because finding the fault in a sensor can be very difficult at times.  Generally our process for a sensor is:

  1. Dr ships sensor to us at his expense
  2. We receive sensor and troubleshoot, finding the fault
  3. We send Dr and estimate for repair via email or fax
  4. Dr approves repair estimate
  5. Repair is complete
  6. Sensor is tested
  7. Payment is accepted
  8. Sensor is shipped back to Dr

Broken Trigger Wire On Eva Sensor

This process works very well and allows the Dr to get an idea for the cost of repairs before paying any money.  Although repairing sensors is time consuming, the cost of repair is fractional compared to purchasing a replacement sensor and our turn around time is usually only a few days.

Since my original post, We Fix Out Of Warranty Sensors, we have repaired nearly 40 sensors for doctors in the USA, Canada, Australia, and Germany.  Out of the 40 sensors 37 of them have been fully repairable and are back in use at the doctors practice.

If you have a broken Schick, Dexis, Suni, MyRay, Eva, Camsight, or any other sensor than give us a call @ 800-821-8962, drop us an email @ support@sodiumsystems.com, or leave a comment below.  We can help you get your sensor back in use!

Or fill out the submission form at this link and follow the shipping instructions.

Sensor Repair Submission Form

Dental Technology, Sensor Repair    ,

What to do with old equipment after going digital

May5th
2011 Leave a Comment Written by HelpingHandInTech

We have been having a lot of my clients come to me with the issue of getting rid of their old working equipment when they make the move to digital.

There are a whole bunch of options and few of them work well.

Craigslist, Ebay, Hoping and Praying and donating.

I know of lots of offices that have tried all four options. The problem in most cases is the dentist does not have time to sit around answering the constant craigslist and ebay questions that come through every day.

Questions like:

“Will you guarantee it working when I get in my office?”

“Will this unit work with XYZ other unit or software?”

“Can I pick up the unit at your office?”

The problem with it is that you have to keep up on these questions or you will never sell the item because everyone has a question even good purchasers. Also, no one wants someone showing up at your practice after the sale to complain this or that doesn’t work. Charities are also often difficult to donate to because they will often need  you to bring the equipment to them which can be very inconvenient for the doctor, because it means he has to pay to get rid of the equipment.

I don’t know how many other companies do this, but we have started offering the service of helping dentists resell their equipment. We certify the equipment in a working state and handle the sale through our office so that all of the question and possible complaints come to us and don’t show up at the dental offices door. We think the fairest way to do this is to handle the whole sale and take a percentage of the sale. We then handle all the packing and shipping of the items. In some cases we are able to get much more value for the equipment by offering installation services with the sale.

We started doing this because far too many usable pieces of equipment were just getting scrapped. For dentists that need parts to repair their existing equipment or are just in a location where the practice can’t support new equipment purchases these sales can save a practice.

We feel this can be the best solution to recycling your old equipment. Taking a perfectly good film pano and turning it back into a lump of steel is no way to get the value back out of your old equipment.

We also provide this service for digital X-Ray units, Intra Oral Camera Units, film processors and other high tech devices.

Call 800-821-8962 Ext 2 and ask for refurbished equipment and they can take care of you.

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Week 4 – Digital Intra Oral X-Ray Sensors – The Good The Bad And The Ugly – Part 4

Apr21st
2011 3 Comments Written by HelpingHandInTech

Digital Intra Oral X-Ray Sensors

-Good Image Quality – Part 1
-Reliability – Part 2
-Price – Part 3
-Functionality – Part 4

Part 4 Functionality

Reviewed Sensors:
-Eva by Dent-X (AFP Imaging)
-SuniRay-Suni Corporation (Orange Dental)
-Dixi 3-Planmeca
-Dexis Platinum-Dexis
-CDR Elite-Schick
-Kodak RVG6100- Kodak (Owned By Carestream Now)

Part 4: Functionality

In this article I wish to discuss how a sensor can be connected into your computer systems, what software the sensors will work with and any particular data that might be of interest as far as the sensors use.
-Eva by Dent-X (AFP Imaging)


This sensor connects to an inexpensive and durable interface that can be mounted on the wall or under a counter. The interface connects to your computer through USB. The interface in this design is not intended to be moved from room to room and because of this the interface is sold rather inexpensively at around $300. The interface itself can be 16 feet from the computer because of the limitations of USB. I have not had good luck with attaching this interface through a powered extension. To be sure of good reliability I would advise to limit yourself to mounting the interface within the 16ft limitation. The sensor then plugs into the interface and give you roughly 6 feet of cable to work with. If your room has pass through xray tube heads I would advice running the usb cable through the wall or floor into your pass through so that when you plug in the sensor, the sensor and sensor cable follow the same path as the xray tube arm. This will prevent you from tripping over the cable and damaging your sensor during use. If 16 feet will not get you to the pass through you may need to mount the unit at your 12 o’clock. If you do not have a pass through than try to route your usb cable over to the xray tube wall mount and locate your interface there. The idea is that if you are using the sensor, the tube head is pulled out and the arm of the tube head keeps you from walking across where your sensor cable is.

The sensor is of similar size to a Suni Ray or Schick sensor and has rounded corners. I would expect this sensor to be as comfortable as most sensors on the market.

Eva sensors come with their own included imaging software that is okay to use or if you would like they also work great in Xray Vision. I prefer Xray Vision in most cases, because of its ability to work with lots of different sensors, panos and phosphor plate systems.
-SuniRay-Suni Corporation (Orange Dental)

The Suni Ray is a direct in line USB sensor similar to the Kodak sensor. The sensor is attached to its own in line interface and has about 3 feet of cable here. The small interface about the size of a tin of mints has a mini USB female connection and comes with a 16 foot usb cable to plug into the interface. This sensor design is intended to be plugged into a powered hub located near your computer. In most of my installs I suggest having enough USB cables to have one plugged in in every room and simply move the sensor with its short cable and interface around. This is much easier than using the long 16 foot usb cable and moving it from room to room.

The sensor has rounded corners and a composite body. I have found the sensor to be comfortable to use and position.

Suni Ray sensors work in Prof Suni and Xray Vision. This is kind of redundant because Prof Suni is an OEM release of Xray Vision

-Planmeca ProSensor


The Planmeca sensor has an interface that the actual sensor plugs into. The interface has many different ways to be connected to the computer including USB and a network interface. The network interface is an excellent choice because you can place your interface any distance from the computer you choose. If you used the correct wireless device in conjunction with the interface and you know a computer guy who can set it up you wouldn’t even need to run a cable from your network to the interface.

The sensor itself is waterproof and of similar size to the other sensors in this review except for the Dexis which is smaller.

Planmeca sensors work in their own Dimaxis software and can also be utilized in Xray Vision

PLANMECA CORRECTIONS

“

Its called the Planmeca ProSensor…. The picture you use even shows that. :) Dixi was replaced by it.

The warranty program is 10 years. 3 years 100% 3 years 50% 4 years 40% no fees. We have a 24 hour replacement after a dealer tech has confirmed the problem with our support (or even the office with them on the phone depending on the issue)

We are integrated directly into Romexis (our SW that replaced Dimaxis awhile ago for 2D and 3D in one) Eaglesoft, MacPractice, Dolphin, and others.

The images are on a few of our websites. Also I have posted images on Dentaltown in the past comparing it to SUNI sensors in MacPractice. From the same office, same computer, tubehead, anatomy, etc. If you would like some images let me know.

The pricing is adjustable. We have trade-ins for current digital users, we bundle them with Pans, we bundle them with Intra X-Rays, we offer buy 2 get one… etc. Also Pricing is determined by the dealer, and we do have a few distribution partners therefore we cannot post pricing.”

-Anonymous

-Dexis Platinum-Dexis

The new Dexis Platinum has no interface. It has a cable that comes directly out of the sensor and ends in a standard USB B Connection that can be plugged into the computer USB ports. The downside of this is that the connector is only good for about 1000 disconnects meaning after about 1000 patients you will probably start having problems with the sensor plug if you are unplugging it and moving it after each patient. The cable is pretty long and most likely would need to be plugged in wherever your computer is and draped across the floor to your patient when in use.

Dexis sensors only work in Dexis Image from what I have been told although I know that drivers were made for it to work in Xrayvision for when the sensor is used in conjunction with the US military.

-CDR Elite-Schick

Schick Sensor Interface

Schick Sensor Plug For Interface

This sensor plugs in through its own interface that has another cable that comes out of it and plugs in through USB to the computer. As far as placement of the sensor you will probably want to place the interface at the computer location because you wouldn’t want to damage the cable going to the interface by running it through your walls. The interfaces for these schick sensors are close to $2K a piece so be careful with them.

Schick sensors work in Dentrix Image through a module you download, through eaglesoft image and with xray vision. I have only used the sensor in eaglesoft and xray vision. If you use eaglesoft image you may want to go into the settings and change the acquisition timer. By default I believe it is set to less than a minute so if you hit the acquire button before positioning the sensor the acquisition may time out before you take the xray.

-Kodak RVG6100- Kodak (Owned By Carestream Now)

Kodak RVG 6100 Sensor

Kodak RVG 6100 Sensor

Kodak sensors are very similar to the Suni Ray as to how they plug in. They have an interface that is very small that is attached directly to the sensor through a cable. Then you use a USB cable to plug into the interface. As far as functionality the Kodak works similar to the Suni Ray.

Kodak sensors work in Kodak Image and in Xray Vision. Kodak only recently released the drivers to interface with Xray Vision so if you have Kodak Image and don’t like it feel free to buy Xray Vision and switch over.

If you have any questions or comments please either comment on the post or visit http://www.sodiumsystems.com/dental-technology-integrators-contact-us/

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Week 3 – Digital Intra Oral X-Ray Sensors – The Good The Bad And The Ugly – Part 3

Apr20th
2011 2 Comments Written by HelpingHandInTech

Digital Intra Oral X-Ray Sensors

-Good Image Quality – Part 1
-Reliability – Part 2
-Price – Part 3
-Functionality – Part 4

Part 3 is a very simple premise. It is an attempt to give doctors an opportunity to see digital X-Ray sensor pricing before they talk to sales reps from all of these companies.

Reviewed Sensors:
-Eva by Dent-X (AFP Imaging)
-SuniRay-Suni Corporation (Orange Dental)
-Dixi 3-Planmeca
-Dexis Platinum-Dexis
-CDR Elite-Schick
-Kodak RVG6100- Kodak (Owned By Carestream Now)

Part 3: Price

This is an easy blog to do except that it is going to require an incredible amount of Anecdotal data which is my least favorite kind of data. Sadly in this case it is the only data I am legally allowed to use. It seems that salesmen do not appreciate you taking sales sheets at a dental show and then listing all of the show prices on a website. So I am going to use figures that are rounded and if anyone has any more current corrections that are coming from actually seeing the numbers on an invoice or an estimate please comment on my blog and I’ll make the corrections. None of this data has come from any of my sales experience or personal price knowledge. All of this data has come from doctors that have been willing to show me estimates or invoices they were given for sensor pricing. I would never use actual sales data provided to me while I was working for a company.(It just wouldn’t be right and I am pretty sure it might be illegal)

-Eva by Dent-X (AFP Imaging)

$15,500- 2 Sensors, 2 Interfaces and AFP Imaging’s Image Software

0$ -3 Year Warranty
-SuniRay-Suni Corporation (Orange Dental)
$15,595  Sensors With Inline Interfaces Comes with Profsuni and one License Additional licenses are 250$ per computer you want to be able to take or view Xrays from

0$-2 Year Warranty

-Dixi 3-Planmeca

At this point the only information I have is a single sensor price quote of $9500

Dexis Platinum-Dexis
I have seen Dexis sold at different price ranges all from about $11,000 to $14,000 new

The software I have seen a variety of pricing but it looks like it runs from $8,000 to $11,0000

The warranty on the sensor is a per year warranty that is about $1,800 a sensor

-CDR Elite-Schick

Sensors run about $9,000 and interface boxes run at about $1,900 The warranty package is actually like a support package. It is a 160 a month or so per sensor and it doesn’t get you a free replacement sensor necessarily. From reading the document it actually provides you with just cheaper prices on replacement sensors but a replacement would still run you about $3,000. They are a good company though so I assume manufacturers defects would be covered and replaced at no charge.
-Kodak RVG6100- Kodak (Owned By Carestream Now)

Pricing from $8,000 to $9,000 a sensor, this sensor can be integrated into Xrayvision if you do no want Kodak Image

There are some large price differences here but I choose not to make any comments on them. If you read part 1 and part 2 you’ll see that you will not take an image quality hit going with the less expensive options and in some cases the warranties are much better in the less expensive options. I have personally called about warranty service on all of these products and have had no problems getting service if the product is covered under its warranty. Though in some cases you will pay substantially more for warranties on some sensors as I have listed above.

 

If you have any questions or comments please either comment on the post or visit http://www.sodiumsystems.com/dental-technology-integrators-contact-us/

 

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Week 1 – Digital Intra Oral X-Ray Sensors – The Good The Bad And The Ugly – Part 1

Feb24th
2011 7 Comments Written by HelpingHandInTech

The topic is Digital Intra Oral X-Ray Sensors

-A device with either a CCD or CMOS sensor (just like in your digital camera except bigger) and then a coding or solid filter that converts X-rays to light that the sensor can read. Some medical digital X-Ray uses a specially charged plate that can read the X-ray directly without conversion. I do not believe any company is currently using this technology in dental.

I don’t intend to go into great technical detail about the sensors instead I will be discussing some important features of the different manufacturers. Hopefully arming you with some information that will be helpful in your buying or re-purchasing decisions.

If you would like a very technical discussion on digital X-Ray I suggest you refer to

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_radiography

First of all lets discuss options. There are lots and lots of options. Through selling and servicing Digital X-Ray and repairing many other manufacturers products I have come by quite a bit of “insider knowledge” about dental products, but sometimes I still feel terribly confused. Not because the technology is complicated but because the way it is sold is so complicated. Some sensors only work with specific imaging software, some imaging software only works with specific sensors. Why can we not just have a standard software protocol that all sensors use and all imaging software use.

The closest you will come to this in dental is Apteryx Imaging, I suggest taking a look through its sensor driver section. You’ll see just about every product out there is on the list, minus Dexis, The most expensive and fattest (As in thick, not cool or good) sensor on the market.

http://www.apteryxware.com/dental/downloads/xva3_5/xv-imaging.html

So now lets figure out what merits a doctor most wants in a sensor (in no particular order).

-Good Image Quality – Part 1
-Reliability – Part 2
-Price – Part 3
-Functionality – Part 4

Now lets get a list in here, I am sure I will miss some sensors in this list, but I’ll do my best.
-Eva by Dent-X (AFP Imaging)
-SuniRay-Suni Corporation (Orange Dental)
-Dixi 3-Planmeca
-Dexis Platinum-Dexis
-CDR Elite-Schick
-Kodak RVG6100- Kodak(Owned By Carestream Now)
-Lots of others but I got bored just putting these on the list

I will now give my opinion on each of these products in each of these categories.

Good Image Quality
I believe this category has been over complicated on purpose. Why do we need to know all of these things about sensors? Why can’t the manufacturers just put up full resolution and undoctored or filtered images on their site. Then you could simply download the images and see which one you liked. Sadly while trying to collect images for this little blog I found that no one seems to post any images to their website in full resolution. So here goes with what I found.

SuniRay
-CMOS Sensor
-15 line pairs per millimeter

The image quality is not as good as some of the competitors. it is diagnostic though and the image quality is understandable when utilizing a cmos sensor.

Eva Sensor
-CMOS Sensor
-16 lp/mm

DIXI 3-Planmeca
-CCD Sensor
-26 LP/mm

No Image I could Find

Dexis Platinum
-CMOS Sensor
-No Advertised LP/mm

CDR Elite-Schick
Not Much info on their site. I don’t like this. I feel like anything that isn’t on your website means that you don’t want to advertise your numbers.

Kodak RVG6100
-20 lp/mm

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