Designed with a small footprint and optimum versatility in mind, the Celex multi-purpose X-ray system combines state-of-the-art imaging with unique positioning flexibility to deliver optimum capacity utilization. The Celex is proving to be a perfect fit with many customers’ needs. VISIONS explores the success of the Celex as another new system was recently installed at the Alrijne, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Alrijne is part of Alrijne Healthcare Group, which includes three hospital locations in Leiden, Leiderdorp, and Alphen aan de Rijn, in the Netherlands. The hospitals have a combined total of 498 beds. Alrijne also has nursing homes at Leythenrode and Oudshoorn. It is staffed by more than 4,400 employees with 292 medical specialists. Martijn Zwarts, Physician Assistant, Lisanne Kamstra, Radiographer and MRI Lab Technician, have worked at Alrijne for many years and have welcomed the new Celex systems which have been installed at their Leiden and Leiderdorp locations.

“Our hospital is very focused on the future. In recent years, training has been on development and sustainability so that we remain as future-proof as possible,” said Lisanne Kamstra, Radiographer. “The fact that so many people work in this hospital, who have been working here for so long, says enough. We also have relatively little staff shortage and many students remain here after their training.”

“Our team comprises of 17 Radiologists and 85 Radiographers, 44 of whom work on the Celexes,” said Lisanne. “Most emergency care takes place at Alrijne in Leiderdorp, while more planned work is performed at Alrijne in Leiden. A Celex is installed at each location. We try to organize the care as close as possible to the patient’s own neighborhood, but like to keep the possibilities open in both hospitals.”

Exceptionally small footprint
Launched in 2023, the Celex X-Ray System offers an extensive range of static DR imaging capabilities. Due to its exceptionally small footprint, minimized installation space is required for the Celex, ensuring maximum space around the patient table for users to make better use of their work area.

“A multipurpose C-arm was our preference in connection with radiation safety, so we carried out extensive research that led us to the Celex, which features just this,” explained Martijn. “We visited another hospital to see their Celex system in use and were immediately struck by the small footprint of the Celex. It was ideal for our space. The Celex scored well on workability, space, and also maintenance.”

“Another reason why we really wanted to have a C-arm is the fact that you can move the C-arm around the patient, instead of the other way around,” he continued. “This of course, creates more comfort for the patient, but also saves time and effort for operators because they do not have to turn the patient themselves.”

“For us, the Celex has created more space for both employees and patients. There are also no large technical cabinets in the room, which means that other things get more priority,” said Lisanne. “We work more spaciously, and the patient has more space on the table. We also have an ultrasound device in the room, which is easy to use without any inconvenience. The patient can simply remain lying down. Sending the images to our PACS is also a lot faster than our previous situation. Turning the tube is very fast, even if we don’t use fluoroscopy or radiography. Moving the system is very quick, for example, from a supine position to a standing position.”

“Deploying the patient and making it workable is very easy because you select your patient, press the auto position, and you can continue,” said Martijn. “It takes some getting used to for new users with regard to the joysticks, but the interface is very intuitive.”
ERCP examinations are often performed at the Leiderdorp location.

“We have agreed with the endoscopy department to carry out ERCPs, and Celex works well for this type of examination because you have more workspace,” added Lisanne. “The image quality works very well. We use low-dose. We start on the lowest dose curve. And, overall, we have approximately halved the dose for ERCPs. We have also noticed that the dose has also decreased for the complete range of examinations. This is important for the patient and our employees.”

“The table is flat and wider, this works well for the patient,” she continued. “We can move the table, and can get closer to it but also pass it easily. It can also carry 300 kg.”

The user interface enables intuitive control of the system’s movements and exposure parameters. Simple, self-explanatory icons on the large touchscreen make the system operation efficient, yet easy to master. Depending on the user’s preferences, customizable buttons can be selected to ensure smooth operation that is tailored to each department’s needs.

“The detector is 42 x 42, it is nice to have such a large field of view to work with,” said Martijn. “You get used to it quickly! The controls on the detector itself are very nice, so you can move the system while keeping an eye on the patient. it is also nice that it can be optionally switched into safety mode after the examination, with the radiation and movement buttons held, because it can sometimes happen that the patient accidentally touches the buttons.”

“The Celex is fast, we experience the operation on the detector as pleasant, the wide table works well, it is a flat tabletop that can carry a lot,” said Lisanne. “We have more workspace, and we also have good experience with the optional sidebar as support. In combination with the 70cm wide table gives the patient confidence that they will remain lying down properly. The table is also a bit longer, so they can remain upright. The auto positions are really a big plus compared to what we are used to before, this contributes to the speed of work, ergonomics and the use of the Celex. This works very easily for us. As does the speed at which it starts up and shuts down.”

The InControl Console has only four touch-sensitive joysticks and features a clear touchscreen interface. The joysticks are not only color-coded but also have a distinctive shape, making them highly distinguishable from each other. The detachable table option enables users to detach and park the tabletop on a trolley in a few simple steps. This enhances the versatility and functionality of the system.

Attaching the table again is a quick process. This advanced feature provides optimal space for patients, for example in wheelchairs or on stretchers. It also supports any procedure that requires free space inside the C-arm. This means that an already vast Celex exam-ination portfolio can be expanded even further.

A safe option
In addition, the system has been designed with patient and user safety in mind. As well as its carbon fiber patient table, the Celex is entirely designed from material that allows minimum X-ray absorption for maximum dose minimization.

In addition, the grid can easily be removed from the detector housing to reduce the dose to the detector during pediatric and/or extremities examinations. Extensive movement ranges allow the patient table to be moved out of the X-ray beam. For example, this enables dose saving in swallow or standing examinations by maintaining space between the tube and detector.

Sophisticated software with specialized algorithms to reduce dose, specific programs for pediatric patients, and all areas of the patient procedure contribute to the dose minimization. The sophisticated algorithms include noise reduction, advanced edge enhancement and contrast boost.

“The low-dose approach works well for us, and it is safe for the patient,” said Martijn. “ The collimator works fine on the large detector. We have optimized the image quality together with the application specialist; there are many post-processing options, and this gives you good image quality and a range of features.”

A great collaboration
The team at Alrijne found personal contact with Canon was accessible, pleasant and personal.

“We can just send our application specialist a message and then our questions are quickly resolved,” said Lisanne. “We experienced the pre-system site visit as pleasant. We were able to ask the hospital staff in confidence how they experienced the Celex, this gave us their impartial feedback and trust. We experienced that as very pleasant.”

“Installation of the Celex went smoothly and was on time, and we had a tight schedule because our previous solution was end-of-life,” added Martijn. “It was certainly clear to us that Canon has been actively developing in recent years. We did have to get used to working with the joysticks, but now that we are used to it, it works fine. The application training was also pleasant and accessible. The Application Specialist really stayed with us until he felt that we had confidence.”

In addition, patients at the hospital appreciate the new system. “Our patients have noticed that we have a new device,” remarked Martijn. “We have even had feedback on how high-tech and new it looks!”

Click HERE to find out more about the Celex