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How to Extend the Life of Your X-ray System with a DR Upgrade

If your X-ray room needs better imaging performance or efficiency, a full system replacement isn’t your only option. In fact, many hospitals and clinics extend the life of their existing equipment by upgrading only the detector. This cost-effective approach enhances image quality and enables access to advanced features—without disrupting existing workflows.

In this article, we’ll explore how detector upgrades work, when they make sense, and when a complete system replacement is a better option.

What Is a DR Upgrade?

A DR upgrade specifically replaces the detector while retaining the current X-ray source. This common practice is especially relevant when the detector approaches its end-of-life (typically 7–8 years).

With the right integration tools (e.g., PACS compatibility, wireless connectivity, or updated workstations), a new detector can often be installed with minimal workflow changes.

Why Detector Upgrades Make Strategic and Financial Sense

While integration can present challenges, an upgrade is often  the most practical, affordable path forward. It can significantly impact the diagnostic quality and speed of your imaging process, all at a much smaller cost than a full system replacement. 

The Financial Advantages of a DR Upgrade

  • Lower upfront costs: Only the detector is replaced, avoiding the cost of a full system overhaul.
  • Preserves original system value: Maximizes the return on your existing equipment investment.
  • Minimal downtime: Installing an upgrade is considerably faster and less disruptive to workflows, allowing you to maintain patient throughput.
  • Aligns with equipment lifecycles: Supports scheduled maintenance without unnecessary replacement.
  • Flexible and scalable: Gain access to dual-energy imaging without committing to a new X-ray suite.
reveal is a great choice for a DR upgrade or retrofit

Reveal 35C: The Only Upgrade that Unlocks Dual-Energy Imaging

Reveal 35C is KA Imaging’s flat panel detector, offering single-exposure dual-energy imaging powered by SpectralDR technology. It captures traditional, bone, and soft tissue images simultaneously, without requiring changes to your dose, grid, or workflow.

Clinical studies using Reveal 35C have shown:

  • 33% more pneumonia cases detected vs. standard X-ray4
  • 43% more lesion visibility with dual-energy images3
  • Up to 37% reduction in follow-up CT scans in ICU patients9

Reveal 35C fits into standard cassette trays and supports Automatic Exposure Detection (AED), automatically initiating image capture without needing a wired connection to the X-ray generator.

Read More:

Research Hot Topic: Emerging Applications

Independent investigators are exploring how single exposure dual-energy chest X-ray may contribute to cardiac imaging.

 

MGH (Boston): Researchers reported that sensitivity improved from 28% to 75% and accuracy from 67% to 87% compared to digital X-ray when assessing coronary calcium, with higher reader agreement and confidence. In another study, results approached CT performance, and the authors noted dual-energy X-ray may represent a more accessible, lower-dose tool for visualizing coronary calcium11,12.

 

UHN (Toronto): In one study, dual-energy X-ray with Reveal™ 35C demonstrated a 61.8% increase in sensitivity for coronary calcium compared to standard X-ray, with an AUC of 91% relative to low-dose CT10.

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The Reveal 35C is not cleared or approved for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.

When to Upgrade vs. Fully Replace

An upgrade is the right choice if:

  1. The X-ray source is still in good working condition. 
  2. You want access to dual-energy capabilities quickly. 
  3. You don’t want to disrupt patient workflow with downtime.
  4. You have a tight budget that prevents you from getting a full system upgrade.

A replacement may be necessary if:

  1. Your system is incompatible with modern detectors
  2. You’re prioritizing a full X-ray room workflow upgrade
  3. Your existing hardware or software is no longer supported.

Ready to Modernize Your Imaging Room?

A DR upgrade with Reveal™ 35C is a smart way to extend your system’s life, improve image quality, and access cutting-edge diagnostic capabilities, all with minimal disruption.

Contact us to explore upgrade packages or request a demo

References:

  1. S. L. Maurino, K. S. Karim, V. Venkatesh. Diagnostic value of single-exposure dual-energy subtraction radiography in lung lesion detection: initial results. European Congress of Radiology-ECR 2022, 2022.
  2. Sanchez F, Kandel S, May M, Ronghe S, Rogalla P. Diagnostic value of dual-energy chest x-ray in immunocompromised patients to rule out pneumonia: initial results. European Congress of Radiology-ECR 2021, 2021.
  3. Rogalla P., Karim K. Added diagnostic value of portable dual-energy chest X-ray in a non-radiological reviewing environment. Radiological Society of North America-RSNA 2022, 2022
  4. Kuhlman, Janet E., Jannette Collins, Gregory N. Brooks, Donald R. Yandow, and Lynn S. Broderick. “Dual-energy subtraction chest radiography: what to look for beyond calcified nodules.” Radiographics 26, no. 1 (2006): 79-92.
  5. Manji, Farheen, Jiheng Wang, Geoff Norman, Zhou Wang, and David Koff. “Comparison of dual energy subtraction chest radiography and traditional chest X-rays in the detection of pulmonary nodules.” Quantitative imaging in medicine and surgery 6, no. 1 (2016): 1.
  6. Karim S Karim, “Single Exposure, Digital Dual-Energy Subtraction X-Ray Ushers in a New Era of Diagnostic X-Ray Imaging,” Radiology Management, Mar/Apr 2021.
  7. Venkatesh V., Patel N., Clarke K., Karim K. (2024). Implementation experience of a portable single exposure, dual energy X-ray detector for use in the ICU of a community hospital. American Society of Emergency Radiology Meeting.
  8. Rogalla P, Dos Santos JFP, Wintersperger BJ, et al. Opportunistic Identification of Coronary Artery Calcium and Valve/Vascular Calcifications on Chest X-Ray: Improvements With Single-Exposure Dual-Energy Imaging. Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal. 2024;0(0). doi:10.1177/08465371241291699
  9. Utarat Kaewumporn, MD, DMRD, Joel K.R. Samuel, MD,MBBS, Brian B. Ghoshhajra, MD, MBA, Nathaniel D. Mercaldo, Rajiv Gupta, PhD, MD, Michael H. Lev, MD, Michael Hood, MD. Accuracy ofdual-energy compared to standard chest X-ray for detection of coronary artery calcifications as an opportunistic screening tool. Radiological Society of North America-RSNA 2025,2025.
  10. Utarat Kaewumporn, MD, DMRD, Joel K.R. Samuel, MD,MBBS, Nathaniel D. Mercaldo, Rajiv Gupta, PhD, MD, Brian B. Ghoshhajra, MD, MBA, Michael H. Lev, MD, Michael Hood, MD. Performance of Dual-energy chest X-ray, compared to standard CXR and CT, for diagnosis of clinically confirmed coronary artery disease. Radiological Society of North America-RSNA 2025,2025.