Australian-made Rover mobile x-rays have been included in an Australian Government $20m assistance package to Ukraine.
The Australian Government’s $1.5m purchase of Rovers will join the 13 systems already in use in Ukrainian frontline and civilian hospitals, sent last year by US-based charitable organisations. The company’s x-ray systems are in use in more than 35 countries, including for humanitarian use.
Micro-X Chief Executive Officer Kingsley Hall said the Rover’s inclusion in the package to Ukraine delivers on the company’s purpose to make lives better.
Rover carts at the Tonsley factory to be sent to Ukraine
“These Rovers will join more than a dozen already on the ground in Ukraine, helping to save lives by bringing high quality and reliable x-ray imaging to patients in frontline and civilian hospitals,” Mr Hall said.
“The Australian Government’s support for sovereign capability helped us to develop our world-leading x-ray technology and they are now supporting us to get our x-ray systems to patients in need.”
In a statement, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the package demonstrated Australia’s continued support for Ukraine.
“This contribution will provide Ukraine with some of the best capabilities in the world, while investing in Australia’s sovereign defence industry and technology sector,” the Prime Minister said.
Micro-X’s Rovers are portable and deliver hospital-grade diagnostic imaging in any treatment area. The Rover is around 100kg and designed for easy manoeuvrability across a variety of terrains. Its lithium iron phosphate batteries have a long life and are fast recharging, making them ideal for circumstances where there is intermittent electricity availability.
Rovers are currently used in Ukraine across frontline and civilian hospitals
A 2015 Australian Department of Defence capability development contract partially funded the early development of the x-ray systems. Rovers are included in the Australian Defence Force’s new deployable field hospitals being delivered by SAAB, which are designed to meet international military health standards.
The Rover mobile x-ray system uses world-leading cold cathode carbon nanotube x-ray technology, removing the weight and size of a comparable conventional x-ray tube. Micro-X’s cold cathode tubes are electronically switched, delivering instant and precise x-rays. As the first in the world to bring this technology to healthcare, Micro-X tubes are smaller and lighter without sacrificing image quality.