Why hospitals keep choosing R/F rooms despite the upfront investment
Clay Selby: June 27, 2024
While naming the best type of portable for you comes down to numerous factors like usage, engineering knowledge, patient volume, budget, and service capabilities, we consistently see one type of portable in use and requested more than others: the GE Optima 220 and GE Optima 240 systems.
The GE Optima 220 and 240 are so popular because they are known for their reliability. Parts are readily available and there is always an experienced engineer to work on them, which translates to minimal downtime. As a result, the ROI is much higher for these systems.
Additionally, their portability makes them a favorite choice for X-ray techs. They’re easy to push from room to room and have a smaller footprint compared to other portable manufacturers, which makes them easy to maneuver inside a room and around a patient.
Here are some of the differences between these systems and detectors and why one may be a better option for your facility.
Note: Block Imaging provides refurbished X-ray equipment and parts. You can read about it in detail below or reach out to our sales team to learn more about how it can help improve diagnostic imaging.
- Eleven Years of Innovation: GE Optima 220 and 240 Features Over Time
- What Are The Biggest Differences Between The GE Optima 220 And 240?
- Choosing between the Optima 220 and 240
- Conclusion
Eleven Years of Innovation: GE Optima 220 and 240 Features Over Time
Released in 2011, the Optima 220 with the wireless FlashPad™ detector has been a mainstay of hospitals and clinics around the world for the last decade. This portable X-ray continues to be an outstanding option due to high serviceability, parts availability, and robust design.
In 2019, GE released the Optima 240 was released in 2019 and is the successor to the 220 model. With several of the same features as the 220 but a heady advantage due to the updated systems, the 240 has become a favorite. Check out GE’s video of hospital staff sharing what they love about the Optima 240’s features:
Finally, the latest release in the GE portable series is the AMX Navigate released in 2022. Although at this time, the Navigate is not available on the used market, we expect to start seeing these in the next year or so. This system appears very similar to the 240 with a few key differences being a larger screen and a fee motion telescoping arm.
What Are the Biggest Differences Between the GE Optima 220 and 240?
While they are visually and physically very similar, there are some definitive differences between these two options.
Generator size
Most 220 systems come with a standard 15kW generator. The 240 has a 30kW generator which significantly increases the power capabilities.
DR panel access
The 240 has an enhanced connection to the DR panel through an access point. It also has an enhanced charging system.
FlashPad™
One of the most significant differences between the 220 and 240 that does not actually have to do with the design of the portable but the detector that is used. The Optima 240 uses a second-generation HD GE FlashPad™. The easiest way to differentiate between these FlashPads is the size and handle. The first generation of the GE FlashPad™ is 16x16 in. The HD FlashPad™ is 14x17 in. and noticeably lighter. This size and weight difference make a significant difference in terms of transportation and handling for the techs. The HD FlashPad™ option also has a lower pixel pitch leading to a clearer image.
Choosing between the Optima 220 and 240
When customers looking for portable X-rays have to decide between the Optima 220 and 240, their decisions often come down to a few basic questions like cost, availability, and desire for upgrades.
Cost
Since the Optima 220 is older, you could find them on the refurbished market for around $75,000. Currently, the Optima 240 is selling around $115,000.
Availability
Parts for both systems are readily available on the market, which is a huge factor in buyer’s decisions.
Upgrades
Many customers opt for an Optima 240 in order to get some of the attractive upgrades. For example, AI technology has been a breakthrough in this space and is always an option for us to purchase from GE for a customer. In a recent story from GE in 2021, AI technology was added to mobile X-ray systems like the Optima 240. The new algorithm was able to quickly flag and then bump up in the queue the X-rays of patients with the most critical needs. This enabled radiologists to respond to those patients far quicker than before, meaning that lives were saved and will continue to be saved by this new technology.
Conclusion
Both the GE Optima 220 and the 240 are great choices on the market for a portable X-ray. If you’re looking to do a little more research on your own, check out our Portable X-ray Machine Price Guide.
However, if you’d like to talk to a real person, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Ultimately, it’s best to talk to an equipment specialist you can trust who is dedicated to helping you decide on what would work best for your facility, your budget, and your timeline.
