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Purchase Options
When purchasing bone
densitometry equipment, it is important to choose
a knowledgeable
supplier. Integrity Medical has the best knowledge-based
sales team in the industry. We have the expertise
to advise practitioners and purchasing managers
on the best technology for specific needs. We
have access
to superior quality equipment at prices tens
of thousands of dollars below manufacturers’ new
prices. With Integrity Medical as a purchasing
resource,
price
will never be an obstacle to making bone densitometry
a part of your practice.
But before you call us,
please take the time to read the information
we gathered for you on this
website. An educated customer is an empowered customer. The
more you know, the better we will be able to
serve you. Also, see "Terms
of Use".
The three largest companies producing
bone densitometry equipment are GE-Lunar, Hologic, and Norland,
followed by Schick Technologies, DMS, and Osteometer Meditech.
The equipment ranges from smaller, less expensive peripheral
diagnosis units, to larger DEXA tables that provide the gold
standard in BDM. When choosing among DEXA systems, beam shape
should be considered. While systems using fan-beam technology
offer shorter scan times and higher patient throughput by performing
a single sweep across the patient, this technology exposes the
patient to higher radiation, and is thought by some authorities
to be less accurate than pencil-beam systems. Scan times for
fan-beam densitometers range from 10 to 30 seconds, as opposed
to 5 to 10 minutes for typical pencil-beam systems. Pencil-beam
systems, however, offer lower exposure to radiation and typically
cost less than fan-beam systems.
Installation of a table-based
DEXA system typically requires an examination room
that can accommodate the scanner table as well as
the operator console. Depending on the size of the
table and operator console, a room measuring 244
x 244 cm (8 x 8 feet) or greater may be necessary.
Peripheral units typically can be accommodated into
very small spaces, with many of the models being
fully portable for mobile usage. Integrity also offers
fully mobile table-based configurations mounted in
vans and buses. Call for more details on building
a fully mobile Bone Densitometer system.
Further information regarding the
logistics of shipping, installation and space requirements is
available from Integrity Medical's sales, shipping and technology
specialists. If you choose one of Integrity's "turn-key" sales
packages, we will take care of these logistical details for you.
We also offer attractive lease and financing rates through selected
companies specializing in preowned medical equipment financing.
We address the issue of operator requirements near the end of
this section.
Here is a sampling of Integrity's
best-selling refurbished and new units. It is by no means an
all-inclusive list of the units available on the market. View
our online catalog of "Equipment
for Sale" at Integrity's homepage for
our current listings, updated daily.
GE- Lunar
DPX Series : Full table based, pencil-beam
DEXA system. Available in six-foot and eight-foot table sizes.
Perhaps the most popular choice among our clients. Models include:
DPX, DPX-a, DPX-L, DPX-MD, DPX-IQ,DPX-NT, and the current version,
DPX-Pro.
Expert XL : First generation table
based DEXA fan-beam system.
Prodigy : Full-size, current-generation,
quality fan-beam, table based DEXA system. Uses advanced digital
detector technology, and upgradable to Instant Vertebal Assessment
(IVA), and DICOM connectivity. Most available of the current-generation
as a refurbished system.
Pixi : A true DEXA peripheral system,
offering the unique ability to measure both forearm and heel.
Can be set up on a table or desk for forearm scanning, or placed
on the floor for heel scanning.
Achillles Series : A lightweight
ultrasound peripheral system which produces "Z" and "T" scores
by measuring the heel (calcaneous). Available refurbished
in several styles, including Achilles Solo, Express,
and Plus. Current production models are the Achilles
Express and Achilles Insight.
Hologic
QDR - 1000 Series : Table-based, pencil-beam
system which includes the QDR-1000, and QDR-1000 Plus. See current
model QDR-4000, which is simply a re-packaged QDR-1000 Plus.
Very popular choice.
QDR - 2000 Series : First generation
fan-beam, table-based technology, which offers the option of
supine-lateral scanning and wholebody scanning. The budget-choice
for fan-beam scanning.
QDR - 4500 Series : A full-size, high-quality
fan - beam system which includes the QDR-4500C, 4500W, 4500SL,
and 4500A, all current production models. The 4500SL and 4500A
are both upgradable to current generation Delphi systems.
Delphi
Current model fan-beam table-based
DEXA system, which offers Instant Vertebal Assessment (IVA),
as well as DICOM connectivity. May be purchased in Delphi-C,
Delphi-W, Delphi-SL and Delphi-A configurations, which include
wholebody and supine lateral options.
Sahara : Small, light-weight ultrasonic
bone density system, for heel (calcaneous) scanning. An excellent
choice for mobile usage due to its small size and rugged construction.
Single-button operation; waterless ultrasound; test results available
immediately.
Norland (Cooper Surgical)
Eclipse: A six-foot table
based system that comes with capabilities to do DEXA
studies of the hip, AP spine, and forearm, as well
as custom software for dealing with implants and
scoliosis.
Eclipse: An entry-level six-foot DEXA
table in current production.
XR-36 and XR-46: The eight-foot table
adds to the excellence of the Eclipse by adding body composition
and body fat calculations to its whole body scanning capabilities.
Apollo: Peripheral DEXA scanner for
heel scanning.
Schick Technologies Inc.
accuDEXA: Small, counter-top DEXA,
for assessing the phalanx of the middle finger. Inexpensive.
Osteometer Meditech
DTX Series: The current model, DTX-200
DexaCare is a forearm DEXA scanner with a unique floor-standing,
wheeled design.
DMS
Ubis 5000: A high-quality peripheral
French product which uses ultrasound scanning to assess the calcaneous,
and produces a real-time image of the Region of Interest (ROI).
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New or preowned?
According to MEDICAL IMAGING MAGAZINE, "generally,
refurbished equipment sells for between 40 percent and 60 percent
of the cost of new." Obviously the dollar-for-dollar values to
be found in purchasing preowned equipment have contributed to
the soaring rise in preowned sales. In an article entitled "Refurbished
Equipment: Knowing When It's the Best Option," [April 2001, vol.16,
no. 4], industry specialists report that "a steadily growing
demand over the past 10 years has spawned an increase in the
number of refurbished equipment vendors and the variety of equipment
available.
The article quotes David Denholtz, President and CEO of Integrity Medical
Systems, on the prime motivation behind burgeoning preowned diagnostic
imaging sales:
"If you ask any customer why he bought refurbished, he will say, to save money.
If I could buy new, I would buy new," declares David Denholtz, president and
CEO, Integrity Medical Systems, Inc. (Ft. Myers, Fla.)."
The economic advantages of preowned
equipment can make it easier for a practitioner or health care
organization to introduce a new diagnostic modality, or offer
a new service. Buying a preowned bone densitometer can make it
feasible to offer this service to patients, or to upgrade from
a peripheral unit to a table DEXA.
Integrity Medical has the most extensive inventory of preowned bone densitometers
of any dealer in the US. Many of these units are fresh from manufacturer's
leases. Integrity Medical has a limited number of "In the box/like new" units
straight from major manufacturers Ð an unparalleled opportunity to purchase
top-of-the-line technology at less than 50% off of brand new prices.
Operator Requirements
Who may become qualified to operate
bone densitometry equipment in your practice, and what are the
requirements?
As with the purchase and operation of any kind of diagnostic imaging
equipment, Integrity Medical recommends that you contact your state's
Department of Health, which will refer you to their Bureau of Radiation
Control. For example, in the State of Florida, all radiation machines
must be registered with the radiation machine program office within thirty
days of installation and will be inspected annually. Radiation Control
personnel can aid you in identifying one or more qualified training candidates
in your practice or organization. Once you have identified your training
needs, no matter where your practice is located, Integrity Medical can
arrange on-site instruction by a factory authorized trainer. Integrity
Medical also offers "turn-key" bone densitometry package programs {clickable}
that include factory-authorized training free of charge.
The following information pertains to State of Florida regulations. Most
states have similar requirements; again, check with your State Department
of Health before purchasing a bone densitometer:
Examinations must be authorized by a State of Florida licensed practitioner
of the healing arts. Only examinations for healing arts purposes are
allowed.
Any State of Florida licensed physician can operate the equipment. Integrity
Medical recommends that the physician undergo initial on-site training
by our factory authorized trainer. Any state certified RT (Radiographic
Technologist) can operate the equipment after initial on-site training
by our factory authorized trainer. In most states, basic x-ray machine
operators, nuclear medicine technologists and general radiographers may
operate bone densitometry equipment after machine-specific training.
In some states, any person trained on-site by our factory authorized
trainer can operate the equipment provided they are scheduled to take
a State Board of Health approved sixty (60) hour limited X-ray certification
course. Some states allow operators to begin running the equipment immediately
even if they have not taken the course or received a limited X-ray certification.
In most states, the bone densitometer's low levels of radiation require
no additional shielding, and a distance of three feet away from the edge
of the operating table is a sufficient background area.
In the state of Florida, contact: Department of Health, Bureau of Radiation
Control, Radiation Machine Program, P.O. Box 210, Jacksonville, Florida
32231 Phone: (904) 359-6363, Fax: (904) 359-6362. Specifically request "Information
Notice Number 22 (October 1998)."
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