Introduction to LEXID

Recently, there has been progress made in the field of x-ray technology. There are many prototypes and models out at the moment, and even a few new x-rays have been put into use. The LEXID x-ray is currently still going through testing and not available for purchase, but when it is, it will spark many changes. The LEXID handheld x-ray has intent to be used by Homeland Security personnel, law enforcement, customs and border agents, and Coast Guard boarding parties (Drzymkowski). This x-ray will make their jobs easier by far, but it will also begin a great controversy. The recent uproar over TSA’s x-raying procedures has left a sour taste with many American’s and it is likely they will have the same reaction again.

Introduction to NOMAD

On the other hand, innovation of the x-ray has also taken place in the medical field. Aribex’s NOMAD x-raying device is now available for purchase to dentist offices. The NOMAD is also a handheld, wireless, battery powered device that offers quick and easy x-ray images. There are almost no disadvantages to using this x-ray as opposed to a typical wall mount x-ray that is seen in most dental offices today. It is ironic that Americans can receive two extremely similar devices with such polar opposite attitudes. The LEXID handheld x-ray is almost completely rejected by Americans, while the NOMAD is almost completely accepted. Examining American’s concerns more thoroughly will allow one to see that due to the preexisting controversy, it is best that handheld x-rays are used for medical purposes only.

LEXID’s Advancements

            LEXID’s new x-ray enhances the original in three main categories: 1) standoff distance, 2) material thickness penetration, and 3) radiation to operator. The original standoff distance of the LEXID x-ray was 0.3-0.5 meters while the new LEXID is one to three meters (Drzymkowski). This allows officers to maintain a greater distance from potentially dangerous people or objects. Originally, the LEXID could only penetrate through steel by 0.4 millimeters, aluminum by 0.6 millimeters, and cardboard by 12.7 millimeters (Drzymkowski). If criminals only ever used three materials to hide paraphernalia, this x-ray would be suitable for any job, except for any job in which the criminal used more than the bare minimum of materials, which would not allow penetration from the x-ray. Currently, the LEXID can penetrate steel up to 1.6 millimeters, wood up to 150 millimeters, aluminum up to five millimeters, fiberglass up to seventy-five millimeters, soil up to ten centimeters, and liquid up to fifteen centimeters (Drzymkowski). The greater number of materials allows more accessibility among officers. The improved thickness also allows them to penetrate objects that were previously too dense. Lastly, the original radiation to operator was measured at less than 1.5 milliroentgen per hour (Drzymkowski). This level of radiation is relatively low according to acceptable levels of exposure, but when one accounts for the fact that the officers are likely to use the x-ray multiple times, daily, over several years, this level of radiation suddenly seems quite high. The current LEXID gives 0.5 micro Sievert per hour (Drzymkowski). This level is extremely low, even for someone who uses it multiple times daily, over several years.

NOMAD’s Advancements

            The NOMAD improves in the same general areas as the LEXID, excluding material penetration, since it only serves the purpose of x-raying human mouths. The NOMAD does the work of two to three wall mounted x-rays (Aribex, 2007). This greatly reduces space in the dentist office. If an office has an entirely separate room for x-rays, this room is completely eliminated and can be used for something else. The NOMAD weighs less than four kilograms (Aribex, 2007). The little weight of the NOMAD allows for it to be transported easily and used multiple times without the dentist become exhausted. Radiation is greatly controlled through the NOMAD, where as typical wall mounted x-rays cause for the dentist to leave the room. Even still, the radiation can pass through the wall and cause harm to others working in the office. The NOMAD has internal shielding and a backscatter shield, which protects both the patient and the user (Aribex, 2007). This is perhaps the NOMAD’s best quality, since it protects both the patient and the dentist extremely efficiently. Even still, the NOMAD releases radiation several orders of magnitudes below what is allowed by standards (Aribex, 2007). NOMAD’s greatest advantages over a wall mount x-ray are its ability to control and release less radiation.

X-Ray Controversy within the TSA

            It is easily understandable why everyone is not particularly fond of being x-rayed. It is also easily understandable why law enforcement officers find it necessary to x-ray the public. Both of these facts lead to quite a controversy within the TSA. The appearance of full-body scanners brought about a great uproar in traveling Americans. To heed this uproar, the TSA allowed for flyers to opt out of the scan, in which they would have to be patted down by various other TSA members. Of course, many flyers chose to be patted down instead. Historically, pat downs are not as invasive as what Americans came to find out. “A flight attendant and breast-cancer survivor who was asked to remove her prosthetic breast, and a bladder-cancer survivor whose urostomy bag (a device used to store urine) was broken when an agent failed to heed the passenger's warnings” (Altman, 2010). It is evident that this woman and man had extremely valid reasons for not wanting to participate in the full-body scan, and it is humiliating that the pat down option they were given resulted in these actions. Stories such as these are what have turned Americans completely against x-rays all together. It is no wonder that Americans will be even more up in arms about a portable x-ray device, involuntarily used on them if suspected of crime.

Radiation Concerns with LEXID

            While it is evident that there is a drastic decrease in exposure to radiation between the current LEXID and the original, when one takes a closer look, it is noticed that there is no measure of radiation given for the suspect. “The FDA has little authority to regulate the use of electronic products emitting radiation. Because security scanners are not classified as medical devices, the agency doesn't approve them for safety before sale” (Grabell, 2012). The fact that the radiation of these x-rays cannot be controlled is extremely dangerous. There is no viable reason why, if an x-ray is being used on a human, that its radiation should not be controlled to a healthy amount for human consumption. If LEXID puts forth the effort to protect the user, they should also protect the recipient. Whether or not this person is a potential suspect, they are still a human and should be treated with the same decency.

Freedom of LEXID Use

            One must take into consideration how these handheld x-rays will be used. If every patrol car has an x-ray gun, then those cops are liable to use those x-rays at any given moment. This places significant trust into the hands of several individuals.  For example, the NYPD has about 35,000 uniformed officers (Sexton, 2012), trusting 35,000 people with your health is an awful lot of trust. The possibility of what any one cop could do is endless. Since the radiation is uncontrolled and dangerous, a cop could purposefully harm someone. When cops are on patrol for long periods of time, they could end up using the x-ray guns for looking into inappropriate things. These x-ray guns would not be monitored at all times and this places incredibly way too much freedom and responsibility into the hands of law enforcement officers everywhere.

Using NOMAD in Emergencies

            Using this technology in the medical field as opposed to the criminal one seems to offer many more benefits to Americans. In emergency situations, it is much easier to x-ray someone with a handheld device rather than have them lay down for an extended period of time while they are already in pain.  The handheld device is also faster, and produces multiple images quicker than wall-mounted x-ray machines. Ultimately, in emergency situations when a fast response is needed, a handheld x-ray gun is crucial to aiding the patient.

Radiation Concerns with NOMAD

            Since the NOMAD is a medical device, its radiation levels must be controlled. This is the major difference between using a handheld x-ray gun for criminal and medical purposes. The NOMAD has a primary protective shielding which encompasses the x-ray source focal spot, thus shielding radiation from the very beginning of the process. Next, there is a permanent filtration system that the beam must pass through before it even exists the gun. This provides constant filtration of the radiation. Lastly, there are fixed beam-limiting devices, which surround the barrel of the x-ray gun. This allows for any last minute filtration of the radiation before it completely exits the gun. The NOMAD has extremely controlled levels of radiation that allow it to be a safe way to x-ray patients.

Replacing Wall-Mounting X-Rays with NOMADS

            Replacing wall-mounted x-rays only seems like common sense when one compares the two machines. “X-ray tubes in today's medical imaging devices last less than a year” (Ball, 2002). This means that those x-rays must be replaced annually when all that needs to be done for the NOMAD is have its battery charged after about one hundred hours of continual use.  The most evident difference in handheld x-ray guns and the typical wall-mounted x-ray is the difference in their sizes. Having handheld x-ray guns would free up space within dental offices everywhere. Lastly, again, and most importantly, these guns greatly reduce the levels of radiation exposure in dental offices.

Conclusion

            It is important that America continue on its journey of technological advancements, but at the same time, the thoughts of other Americans must be taken into consideration. Technology improves at an extremely rapid rate, so Americans must be sure that these improvements are necessary and beneficial to everyone involved before they are put into use. If x-ray guns are to be used in the criminal field, more limitations and regulations must be set forth. For now, it is more beneficial to use handheld x-ray guns for advancements in the medical field.

References

Altman, Alex. (2010). TSA Chief Faces Outrage as He Defends Screening Procedures - TIME. (n.d.). Retrieved February 29, 2012, from http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2032786,00.html

Aribex. (2007). NOMAD Handheld X-Ray System Intro Video - YouTube. (n.d.). Retrieved February 29, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydDETERsrNU&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL25EC9E4F8FFB2115

Ball, Phillip. (2002). Hand-held X-ray gun : Nature News. (n.d.). Retrieved February 29, 2012, from http://www.nature.com/news/2002/020716/full/news020715-1.html

Drzymkowski, Mark. LEXID® - X-ray Imaging Device. (n.d.). Retrieved February 29, 2012, from http://www.poc.com/emerging_products/lexid/default.asp

Grabell, Michael. (2012). Drive-by Scanning: Officials Expand Use and Dose of Radiation for Security Screening - ProPublica. (n.d.). Retrieved February 29, 2012, from http://www.propublica.org/article/drive-by-scanning-officials-expand-use-and-dose-of-radiation-for-security-s

Sexton, Buck. (2012). Police Want X-Ray Gun Scanners To Deploy on New York City Streets | Video | TheBlaze.com. (n.d.). Retrieved February 29, 2012, from http://www.theblaze.com/stories/report-police-want-to-use-these-x-ray-scanners-on-new-york-city-streets/