The idea of a portable medical X-ray machine become more commonplace during World War 1 when Marie Curie joined the war effort. As a nurse at the front of the battlefield, she went around with a small car treating wounded soldiers. Each car contained X-ray equipment which would help take images of the soldiers to aid in giving better medical treatment.

While many of the 150 women who helped Marie Curie done an amazing job, many, including Marie, developed cancer as a result of her exposure to radium. However, it was these key moments in the history of portable X-ray machines that helped develop the technology to make it safer and more effective moving forward. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about portable X-ray machines for the medical, dental and veterinary industries – including why your facility needs one.

What is a portable medical X-ray machine?
Essentially, a portable X-ray machine is an X-ray unit that’s smaller than a fixed one and can be moved. It allows radiographers, vets and dental professionals to take X-ray images of patients without having to call them into a special lead-lined room.

The principle is still the same, whereby it emits X-rays through a person or animal’s body, and it’s reflected back, showing up on the image as white.

Portable X-ray machines are often used by professionals who have mobile practices or in busy medical facilities where space is an issue or there’s a distinct lack of access to equipment.