X-Ray Table Types and the Factors Behind Their Price

Types of X-ray tables

The simplest design is a fixed-height table with a bucky tray and a floating top. An elevating table adds motorised height adjustment, making transfers from wheelchairs and stretchers easier and safer. Tilting tables used for fluoroscopy belong to a separate R/F class and are covered in our article on fluoroscopy versus radiography.

Table height, load capacity, tabletop length and width and the range of top travel should be matched to your patient mix. Rooms handling bariatric, trauma or paediatric patients have different needs; see also table weight limits.

Also consider hygiene details: resistance of the surface to disinfectants, the absence of gaps where dirt collects and the availability of spare parts. These affect the table lifetime as much as the mechanics.

Floating tabletop and bucky explained

A floating tabletop moves longitudinally and transversely with light effort when the brakes are released, so the radiographer can centre the anatomy to the beam without moving the patient. Brakes can be operated by a foot pedal or a handle, or, in modern designs, a photocell system.

The bucky is the tray under the tabletop that holds the anti-scatter grid and the detector. With digital radiography a flat-panel detector replaces the cassette, either built in or wireless. A smooth top surface with no protruding edges helps transfers and cleaning.

Example: Moviplan iC and Moviplan iC DR

Villa's Moviplan iC is a modular bucky room whose floating tabletop has a smooth surface without protruding edges. Its movements are released by a light-beam photocell system instead of conventional footswitches, and cables are hidden while floor rails are low-profile to reduce tripping hazards. It is available with a floor-mounted column or a ceiling tubestand, from an entry-level version with LCD display to an advanced version with touchscreen, motorised movements and electronic tomography.

Moviplan iC DR is the flat-panel version of the same room, where the table bucky and chest stand can be configured with fixed and wireless detectors.

What drives the x-ray table price

Price differences usually come from a short list of choices rather than from the tabletop alone. When you request an offer, ask for each of these items to be quoted separately so that two proposals can be compared line by line.

Remember that the table is only one part of the room: tube support, generator, detector, workstation, installation, shielding and service all form the total cost of ownership, and a low table price may hide costly options.

• Height adjustment: fixed or motorised elevating
• Control: manual, photocell or touchscreen with motorised movements
• Detector: cassette bucky, built-in flat panel or wireless panel
• Tabletop material: standard or carbon fibre, load rating
• Options such as electronic tomography, auto-tracking and accessories
• Installation, training, warranty and service terms

Buying checklist for an x-ray table

Confirm the maximum patient weight, tabletop dimensions, lowest and highest table heights, grid ratio and focus distance, compatible detector sizes and the DICOM or workstation options. Ask which parts are covered by warranty and what local service is available in the UAE; our maintenance services page describes what can be arranged.

Check the current UAE registration requirements for the device with the relevant authorities before ordering. For a quotation, contact Beckfinity with your room dimensions and expected workload.