In the early 1990s, researchers at Varian's Ginzton Technology Center began development work to bring together several new technologies combining speed, image quality, compactness and ease of use. In 1998, Varian became the first and only company in the world to deliver amorphous silicon flat panel systems capable of both fluoroscopic and radioscopic digital imaging. Varian has continued to refine and improve thier products and competencies in real time flat panel image receptor technology.

Varian's PaxScan products meld the best in amorphous silicon sensor panels, radiation-converting materials, low-noise analog and high-speed digital electronics, custom ASIC control and processing electronics, and compact packaging.

The PaxScan 1313 is Varian's smallest flat panel detector aimed at applications currently using 6" image intensifiers.

The high resolution receptor combined with a software-based command processor capable of 30 frames per second makes this an ideal imager for microfocus X-ray applications. Computer tomography (CT) applications also benefit from the high dynamic range and uniform image quality across a wide X-ray range.

The detector as an active area of 13.0 x 13.0cm, comprising of 1024 x 1024 pixels, with a pixel size of 127&mum. The detector can be supplied with a variety of CsI and Gadox screens, and can be used from 40 to 160kVp. Readout is via CameraLink, at 14-bit resolution, at 10 frames per second (unbinned), or 30 fames per second if binned 2 x 2.

The PaxScan 2020 flat panel detector aimed at applications currently using 8" image intensifiers. The high sensitivity of the CsI scintillator combined with proprietary noise management techniques allows for excellent lowdose imaging performance that rivals image intensifier tube devices.

The detector as an active area of 19.8 x 19.8cm, comprising of 1024 x 1024 pixels, with a pixel size of 194&mum. The detector is supplied with a CsI screen for optimum x-ray sensitivity, and can be used from 40 to 150kVp. Readout is via fibre optic, at 14-bit resolution, at 30 fames per second unbinned.

The PaxScan 2520 V is a second-generation X-ray imager designed for high-speed fluoroscopic and radiographic imaging.

The detector as an active area of 19.3 x 24.2cm, comprising of 1536 x 1920 pixels, with a pixel size of 127&mum. The detector can be supplied with a variety of CsI and Gadox screens, and can be used from 40 to 150kVp. Readout is via Gigabit Ethernet, at 14-bit resolution, at 7.5 frames per second (unbinned), or 20 fames per second if binned 2 x 2.

The PaxScan 4030 E is a digital X-ray imaging system designed for high-speed radiographic imaging in the field.

The detector as an active area of 29.1 x 40.5cm, comprising of 2304 x 3200 pixels, with a pixel size of 127&mum. The detector can be supplied with a variety of Gadox screens, and can be used from 40 to 150kVp. Readout is via Gigabit Ethernet, at 14-bit resolution, at 1 frames per second.