Eastman Kodak Company announced the development of a new medical imaging x-ray film that will produce the same excellent image quality available today but from half the radiation dosage currently required.
This new general purpose film will be the first radiographic film in 20 years to provide high-resolution imaging from a significantly reduced radiation dose.
The film also will feature an increased "speed" that will reduce the need for retakes due to patient movement during exposure, further contributing to reduced radiation for patients.
More than 60 percent of U.S. hospitals and imaging centers continue to use radiographic film as the primary method of capturing x-ray imaging exams, according to a recent Kodak survey of more than 400 healthcare providers.
"In the past, a decrease in radiation dose usually involved a sacrifice in image quality. This new film is designed to work with less radiation while maintaining high standards for image quality," said Betsy Guffey, Product Line Manager, Film Systems, Kodak's Health Imaging Group.
The new film will be tested at healthcare facilities in the United States and several European countries in August.
