Answer to Question #14879 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Medical and Dental Equipment and Shielding — Equipment

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

Q

I would like to invest in the purchase of a transmission x-ray body scanner for research purposes. My purpose is to help women navigating undiagnosed conditions due to poor imaging quality of standard methods. These include x rays, computed tomography, thermography, and ultrasound. The scanner would be used for private, nonpublic purposes. Do I require any permits to purchase and store this scanner in a storage location of my choice?

A

The Smiths Detection B-Scan is a transmission x-ray unit designed for screening persons (usually prisoners) for objects such as weapons, explosives, and narcotics. It is not designed for medical imaging and should not be used for that purpose. The best equipment to use for medical imaging is the equipment that is designed for medical imaging, has been approved for use on humans, and has been installed, tested, and operated following local regulatory standards, with images that are interpreted by licensed practitioners.

For any x-ray equipment that you would want to use, you would need to contact the appropriate regulatory authority to obtain information required for licensing and use.

Kennith "Duke" Lovins, CHP

Answer posted on 16 March 2023. The information posted on this web page is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may affect the applicability of concepts, materials, and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice. To the best of our knowledge, answers are correct at the time they are posted. Be advised that over time, requirements could change, new data could be made available, and Internet links could change, affecting the correctness of the answers. Answers are the professional opinions of the expert responding to each question; they do not necessarily represent the position of the Health Physics Society.