Development and Performance Evaluation of a Novel Mobile X-ray System for Use in Disaster Situations

Mobile radiography is useful for triaging patients during disasters. However, in the face of large-scale disasters, medical equipment, including X-ray systems, may be restricted because of power outages. Therefore, a novel mobile radiography system that can be used in any disaster was developed, and its basic performance was evaluated. This system is designed for use during power outages and can be recharged using both household and solar power sources. The reproducibility of the X-ray output of the system (irradiation dose, tube voltage, radiation quality and irradiation time) was excellent, confirming that radiography could be performed consistently. The entrance surface dose and scattered radiation during chest radiography were measured using a chest phantom. Both results were acceptable, verifying that the system is sufficiently safe from the viewpoint of radiation protection. This novel mobile radiology system is easy to carry and can generate solar power, making it useful during a power outage in the case of a large-scale disaster or when examinations need to be performed outside a hospital, such as at a first-aid station.