The American government intends to use the Orex units in battlefield situations, including any conflicts that may arise as a result of current tensions in the Middle East. The U.S. military has purchased more than 50 radiological systems, manufactured by the Israeli company Orex, which will better enable medical personnel in the field to immediately assist those injured in battle.

Orex’s computerized radiography units provide digital diagnostic X-rays without the need for film or developing. The American government intends to use the units in battlefield situations, including any conflicts that may arise as a result of current tensions in the Middle East.

“The Army will be able to take X-rays on the battlefield and get digital images, copy them to a CD and send them back with the patient to a field hospital. The Orex units will accelerate the diagnosis process. They also will eliminate the need for film and chemicals. It’s just going to make things easier,” said Jerry C. Cirino, president and chief executive officer of SourceOne, the largest distributor of imaging equipment, supplies, accessories and service in the United States, which organized the sale of the Orex equipment.

Computed radiography (CR) is a new practical, efficient and economical method of capturing and converting radiographic images into a digital form. The military chose Orex’s PcCR 1417 CR because its high image quality, fast processing speed and desktop size make it particularly adaptable for use in a wide range of clinical settings, according to Hillel Bachrach, Orex president and CEO.

“Orex is very proud to have been selected by the U.S. government based on an in-depth examination of our performance and features,” said Bachrach. “The Orex desktop closed system appealed to the military buyers because, unlike competing CR systems, the Orex re-usable plate is never exposed to the clinics’ working environment. This increases CR system reliability, extending plate life and resulting in more accurate and reliable clinical information.”

SourceOne Healthcare Technologies sold the equipment to the military after a rigorous one-year selection process. The units are distributed computerized radiography (D-CR) units, which provide immediate diagnostic X-ray studies in digital format, eliminating the need for film and developing. The military purchase totaled $5 million.

Orex, headquartered in Yokneam, Israel, with U.S. headquarters in Auburndale, Mass.
Orex CR is a complete system that combines filmless laser scanners and erasable phosphor plates, advanced image management software and a personal computer-based review station. The plug-and-play D-CR line scans phosphor CR plates directly to the workstation without any special connections. The compact desktop systems are designed for small spaces and are affordable to purchase and maintain. To date, over 2,000 Orex D-CR medical and dental systems have been sold and installed in over 20 countries around the world, including the U.S. Europe, Japan and China.

Orex was founded in 1996 as Digident with a focus on developing innovative CR solutions for general dental and orthodontist practices. In 2000, the company was renamed Orex Computerized Radiography with an expanded mission to address the wide range of medical applications for D-CR.