BY BRENDA TILKE

Kodak is putting a strategic alliance with Analogic Corporation to good use, introducing at the RSNA meeting three digital radiography systems that will be manufactured by Analogic. The units are scheduled for commercial availability by mid-2000.

The Kodak DR 9000 System is a full room system for general-purpose radiology, designed for customers installing new x-ray rooms or converting to completely digital technology. The Kodak DR 7000 is designed for those who want to convert an existing x-ray room to digital capture. With the DR 7000, customers can keep their current x-ray generators and tube hangers. The Kodak DR 5000 was developed for dedicated chest exams.

All the systems use flat-panel detectors consisting of an amorphous selenium semiconductor x-ray-absorber coating over a thin-film transistor array. Kodak officials believe this type of digital capture technology delivers higher standard DR image quality and has potential for use across a wide range of current and future clinical applications.

Kodak's strategic alliance with Analogic extends beyond the three systems unveiled at the RSNA meeting. The two companies will work in tandem to develop a full line of digital radiography products, according to officials at both companies.

"We think this is an excellent combination," said Dr. Gary Keyes, general manager of digital capture products and vice president for Kodak's Health Imaging Division. "Kodak and Analogic bring complementary technical expertise into the relationship to increase the utility and value of Kodak's digital radiography systems for our customers."

Analogic will develop products for Kodak and also work with tested and approved technology and components from other manufacturers, including Anrad Corporation and Fischer Imaging. Direct Radiography Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hologic, will produce some of the flat-panel detectors.