X-Motion in the X-ray room

Solutions for the X-ray room have recently been the focus of Ewellix's Medical Technology Team. (Image: Ewellix Group)

Thanks to the Drive Assisted Motion (X-Motion) in the five-stage telescopic column, users can easily move and position ceiling- or wall-mounted X-ray tubes. The telescopic column moves from ground level (left) to head height in two to three seconds without the operator even noticing that they are moving 50 kilograms. (Image: Ewellix Group)

Thanks to the Drive Assisted Motion (X-Motion) in the five-stage lifting column, users can easily move and position ceiling- or wall-mounted X-ray tubes. The lifting column moves from ground level (left) to head height in two to three seconds without the operator even noticing that they are moving 50 kilograms. (Image: Ewellix Group)

SmartX telescopic columns are also used in the synchronized patient table. The two TLT columns are synchronized by a SmartX control unit integrated into each lifting column, which communicates via a digital bus system. This ensures that the two TLTs extend and retract in parallel and uniformly under all conditions. (Image: Ewellix Group)

The Ewellix Medical Technology Team has developed a trio of clever solutions for the X-ray room. Thanks to the patented Drive Assisted Motion (X-Motion), both medical staff and patients benefit from increased comfort, safety, and precision.

"Specifically, we are talking about fully electric and synchronized motion profiles for the patient table, grid wall device, and ceiling-mounted X-ray system, which utilize our SmartX control technology and a modular five-stage telescopic column," explains Manuel Doppler, Business Development Manager Medical Sector at Ewellix. "The highlight of the telescopic column is the patented 'Drive Assisted Motion,' which allows the user to easily move and position X-ray devices weighing up to 50 kilograms."

Height-adjustable X-ray tubes are usually equipped with counterweights and are positioned vertically either manually or with a motor. Ewellix's approach requires no counterweights. The linear technology specialists integrate all components—servo drive and necessary sensors—into a five-stage telescopic column, transforming it into an intelligent telescopic column. The user can move the heavy device effortlessly with just one finger. "The column travels at speeds of up to 600 millimeters per second, depending on the user's impulse," says Marcel Soltermann, Product Development Director at Ewellix. "This allows the X-ray or grid wall device to be extended from floor level to head height in two to three seconds without the operator noticing that they are moving 50 kilograms. And how does X-Motion work? "The sensors detect the speed and strength of the user's movement. The column supports this accordingly, overcoming the mass and inertia of the load," explains Doppler.

Natural appearance and safety in focus

Two aspects were essential in development: the natural feel of the interaction, where the user doesn't notice that an electric motor is supporting their movement, and above all, safety for both the user and the patients. "After all, up to 50 kilograms are floating just above the person," Soltermann emphasizes. "Therefore, all sensors are designed redundantly and are constantly benchmarked against each other." Additionally, the control software monitors all movements. Movements that are defined as impossible are not permitted by the system. It is also prevented that the X-ray device hits the ceiling mount or the patient bed due to unsteady pushing or pulling. The sensors ensure this. "We deliberately did not integrate the sensor package into the handles, as is common in industrial systems, but directly into the telescopic column," adds Doppler. "The column immediately detects an obstacle upon contact. This results in a counter-impulse— it steers against. Every contact with an obstacle results in a counter-impulse that moves the column away from the obstacle. The user does not need to intervene."

Smart telescopic columns for patient tables

The synchronized patient table also uses SmartX telescopic columns. In Ewellix's new generation of linear technology products in this series, all necessary smart digital control, sensor, and communication technologies are already integrated into the components. The TLT series is compact, fast, and powerful, equipped with two DC motors for loads up to 5,000 Newtons. Its low installation size ensures an optimal ratio between retracted length and maximum stroke. Thanks to its torsion-resistant aluminum profiles and precision sliding system, it can lift high off-center loads without bending. The efficient gear technology is quiet and capable of handling pressure loads. "They are synchronized via a SmartX control integrated into each telescopic column, which communicates via a digital bus system," says Doppler. "This ensures that both TLTs extend and retract in parallel and evenly under all conditions." This allows the user to always keep control of the movements, ensuring patient safety and comfort.

Flexibility thanks to modular design

In addition to their use in the X-ray room, Ewellix's robust, reliable, and ergonomic products are used in systems for nearly all imaging procedures, including CT, SPECT, PET, MRI, angiography, mammography, mobile C-arms, and oncological treatment devices. "We don't have to reinvent the wheel for each of these applications," says Doppler. "Thanks to our modular system, we find the right solution for every application, from purely mechanical to fully digitized and controlled by SmartX."