Skip to main content

Spine Centers Adopt Dynamic Digital Radiography to Facilitate Fast, Accurate Diagnosis

KDR Primary with DDR

Wayne, NJ, September 29, 2021 - Dynamic Digital Radiography (DDR) from Konica Minolta Healthcare Americas, Inc, is
rapidly gaining acceptance in spine centers across the US due to its ability to capture the physiological motion of the
cervical spine (C-spine) and lumbar spine (L-spine) as a patient moves through the full range of motion.

Wayne, NJ, September 29, 2021 - Dynamic Digital Radiography (DDR) from Konica Minolta Healthcare Americas, Inc, is
rapidly gaining acceptance in spine centers across the US due to its ability to capture the physiological motion of the
cervical spine (C-spine) and lumbar spine (L-spine) as a patient moves through the full range of motion. More than 10
spine and orthopedic centers have implemented DDR on the KDR® Advanced -arm System in 2021. DDR first gained
acceptance in hospitals as a tool for pulmonologists to assess and quantify lung function. As orthopedic and sports
medicine specialists gained exposure to the technology, DDR has been adopted in all types of facilities, from academic
centers to community hospitals and large and small orthopedic and spine practices, Konica Minolta will be highlighting
DDR and its capabilities in dynamic spine imaging at the North American Spine Society 36t Annual Meeting being held
in Boston September 29-October 2.


The lack of stability in the cervical spine may affect neurological health and cause pain and irritation to the spinal cord or
nerve roots'. According to researchers, dynamic radiography is more reliable than any other clinical test used to
diagnose spine instability?. In trauma imaging, the incidence of delayed diagnosis of C-spine injuries ranges from 5-20%3.
Neil Wright, MD, à cervical spine expert and neurosurgeon with Blessing Physician Services, part of Blessing Health
System (Quincy, IL), says DDR is filling an important diagnostic need in patients with injuries to their neck, "There are
limitations with static X-rays, as we may not get a very accurate picture ofwhat their neck is doing in motion," Dr. Wright
explains. "In patients complaining of significant neck pain where all traditional imaging has failed to show any problems,
we are seeing with DDR what was not otherwise diagnosed. The exam is seamless, cost-effective and readily available as
part of our normal radiographic workup."


DDR is not fluoroscopy, it is a series of individual digital images acquired at high speed and low dose on the KDRE
Actvanced U-Arm, a fully automated digital radiography system that can be used for all standard X-ray studies. In the
same study, clinicians can acquire static and dynamic images. The resulting cine loop provides visualization of the
dynamic relationship of anatomical structures in a diagnostic-quality view. Motion quantification is possible with
advanced image processing from Konica Minolta.

About Konica Minolta Healthcare Americas, Inc.

Konica Minolta Healthcare is a world-class provider and market leader in medical diagnostic imaging and healthcare information technology. The company’s focus is to contribute to life changing advances through the transformation of primary imaging, allowing the invisible to be seen. Primary imaging, the most commonly used medical imaging technologies, include X-ray, ultrasound and imaging management systems. By advancing these readily available technologies, we can bring greater diagnostic capabilities to the greatest number of people.

With nearly 150 years of endless innovation, imaging is in Konica Minolta’s DNA. From roots as a camera and film manufacturer, the company has cultivated its own technologies and continues to evolve techniques for visualizing what is not visible. Innovation allows the company to be a strong strategic partner, understanding what value means to customers and how Konica Minolta’s innovations can address specific needs and lead to better decisions, sooner.

Konica Minolta Healthcare Americas, Inc., headquartered in Wayne, NJ, is a division of Konica Minolta, Inc. For more information on Konica Minolta Healthcare Americas, Inc., follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, or visit https://healthcare.konicaminolta.us.

Media Contact:
Mary Beth Massat
Massat Media
224.578.2388
https://healthcare.konicaminolta.us