REMOTE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

USER INFORMATION MANUAL

TechSwitch
Remote Exposure Switch for GE AMX-4+

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PRINTED IN THE USA

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TechSwitch User Information Manual

Documentation Issue Number:TS-UIM(GE4)

(Revision 5)

Remote Technologies, Inc. PO Box 1185 Greenwich, CT 06836 USA Telephone: (203)661-2798 Facsimile: (203)661-5443 Email: questions@remotetechnologies.com 1997, 1999, 2004, 2006 Remote Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TECHSWITCH SYSTEM TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Transmitter Unit
Construction:
Durable ABS flame-retardant thermoplastic; high-impact to withstand abuse and drops; resistant to water, oils, organic acids, and alcohol.

Compatibility: Compatible with all TechSwitch Receiver Units.

About TechSwitch Parts Checklist Transmitter Unit Receiver Unit Operating TechSwitch Making an exposure Deactivating the system Remote Finder Common Questions Maintenance Warranty Technical Specifications

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Deactivation: Technology:
Infrared light beam, line-of-sight operation; will operate through glass and lead glass; will not operate through doors or walls.

Power Source: 9-volt alkaline battery included; 25,000+ exposures; Low Battery Indicator illuminates when battery needs to be replaced. Power Output: Less than 5 milliwatts. Activation:
Press Field Light Button to turn on collimator light; press and release Radiography Button to prepare rotor; press and hold Radiography Button to initiate exposure. Collimator light automatically deactivates with rotor prep; rotor automatically drops out and returns to standby if exposure is not initiated within 15 seconds of prep, or if collimator lamp is turned on; exposure-in-progress is aborted by releasing Radiography Button during second activation (dead-man); mobile unit and TechSwitch system return to standby after exposure is completed.

Remote Finder: Repeats a series of beeps if transmitter is left uncradled after use.

Receiver Unit
Construction:
ABS flame-retardant thermoplastic.

Compatibility: Compatible with all TechSwitch remote Transmitter Units. Power Source: Automatically powers on when X-ray unit is turned on. Power Less than 2 watts; does not affect X-ray unit specifications. Consumption: System Status: LED indicator lamps; confirm power on, IR beam received, rotor on, exposure start.

Questions? Call Us Toll-Free at 1-800-733-XRAY (9729) (From outside the USA, please call 1-203-661-2798) Email Us at questions@remotetechnologies.com

Operating Distance: Operating Radius: Signature Recognition:

36+ feet/11 m. 360 degrees; four infrared detectors on panels. Proprietary coding. No other known infrared Transmitter Unit will activate the Receiver Unit. 10.

TECHSWITCH SYSTEM WARRANTY

What the TechSwitch warranty covers The TechSwitch system warranty covers your TechSwitch against any defect in material and workmanship for a period of 1-year after purchase. If your TechSwitch remote exposure switch system is defective and returned within 1-year from the date of the sellers shipment, we will repair or replace it at no charge. The repaired or replacement TechSwitch system will be warranted for the remainder of the original 1-year warranty period, or from 12 months from the date of installation, whichever is longer. All returns should be sent freight prepaid, together with a statement describing the respects in which the warranty was not met, to: Remote Technologies, Inc. Attn.: Warranty Service 57 Old Mill Road Greenwich, CT 06831 USA If you have questions regarding warranty service, please call toll-free 1-800-733-9729. (From outside the USA, please call 1-203-661-2798.) Note: Before deciding that your system is inoperable or defective, please review all of the information printed in this manual. What the TechSwitch warranty does not cover The TechSwitch system warranty does not cover the following: damage caused by modification or repair other than by Remote Technologies, Inc.; damage to the equipment resulting from improper installation; or damage caused by fire, flood, and acts of God.

INTRODUCTION
About Your New TechSwitch Remote Exposure Switch System Thank you for choosing TechSwitch, the easy-to-use remote exposure switch system for mobile X-ray units. TechSwitch has been designed for the utmost in safety, convenience, and reliability, and offers many benefits not found with the conventional corded handswitch. In order to operate your new system properly, please follow the instructions in this manual.

Parts Checklist Your new remote exposure switch system includes: Two Remote Transmitter Units (described on page 3), One Transmitter Unit Cradle (not described), and One Receiver Unit (described on page 4).

Questions? Call Us Toll-Free at 1-800-733-XRAY (9729) (From outside the USA, please call 1-203-661-2798) Email Us at questions@remotetechnologies.com 9. 2.

TRANSMITTER UNIT
This illustration shows the key parts found on the TechSwitch remote Transmitter Unit.

MAINTENANCE
TechSwitch System Maintenance Your TechSwitch remote exposure switch system has been designed to provide years of trouble-free service with minimal maintenance. To replace the Transmitter Unit battery... Remove the six screws from the gray back cover of the Transmitter Unit. Place a new 9-volt alkaline battery in the direction shown on the inside top cover. Replace the gray back cover by securing the six screws. To clean the TechSwitch Transmitter and Receiver Units... The TechSwitch remote Transmitter Unit and Receiver Unit have durable plastic casings that should retain their appearance for many years. Both should be periodically cleaned with a soft cloth slightly dampened with water, and a mild soap or detergent.
Low Battery Indicator. Illuminates when battery is low and needs to be replaced. Radiography Button. Press once to prep rotor. Press again and hold to make the exposure.

Field Light Button. Press to turn on collimator light. Remote Finder. Built-in feature locates Transmitter Unit if left out of cradle.

Infrared Window.

Battery Compartment (9-volt alkaline included).

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COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT TECHSWITCH

Below are questions commonly asked about the TechSwitch remote exposure switch system. How far away from the machine can I stand?
Up to 36 feet/11 m away.

RECEIVER UNIT
This illustration shows the key parts found on the TechSwitch Receiver Unit. The TechSwitch Receiver Unit must be installed on the X-ray unit by an X-ray service engineer or bio-medical technician who is familiar with the X-ray machine.

Can I make an exposure from behind a door or wall?

No. The TechSwitch system operates on an infrared light beam just like a TV remote. You can, however, operate the system from behind a window or lead glass.

Does the X-ray machine function in the same way with TechSwitch installed?
Absolutely. TechSwitch works much like a regular handswitch. The system does not alter the operating specifications of the machine in anyway.

ON Indicator. Illuminates when the system is powered.

Detector Windows (4). EXP Indicator. Illuminates when the exposure command is activated.

What happens if I prep the rotor and decide not to make an exposure?
You can do nothing and the rotor will automatically drop out after 15 seconds, or you can press the Field Light Button and the rotor will immediately drop out and the collimator light will illuminate.

How do I interrupt an exposure?

The TechSwitch is a dead-man type switch, just like the corded handswitch. You have to keep your hand on the Radiography Button until the machine completes the exposure. If you release the button during an exposure, the exposure will be discontinued.
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How will I know when to change the battery in the remote transmitter
The red Low Battery Indicator on the TechSwitch Transmitter will illuminate.

Can I still use the corded handswitch?

Yes. Since you dont have to disconnect the corded handswitch in order to use TechSwitch, you always have the option of using either TechSwitch or the corded handswitch at any time.

REC Indicator. Illuminates when the infrared beam is being received.

ROT Indicator. Illuminates when the rotor/prep command is activated.

My hospital has multiple mobile X-ray units, and each machine has a TechSwitch system. Can I use the same remote Transmitter Unit with both machines?
Yes. All TechSwitch Transmitter Units are compatible with all TechSwitch Receiver Units.

What happens if there are 2 mobiles in the same room, or 2 mobiles in line-of-sight and both have a TechSwitch?
Its unlikely for 2 mobiles to be used simultaneously in the same room, or in line-of-sight of each other. However, in this rare situation its best to power down one mobile while operating the other.

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OPERATING YOUR TECHSWITCH REMOTE EXPOSURE SWITCH SYSTEM

The TechSwitch remote exposure switch system is as simple to use as a television remote control.
Making an exposure with TechSwitch Set up the X-ray unit as required, observing all necessary guidelines for radiation safety and protection. Note: Make certain there are no other mobile units with a TechSwitch in lineof-sight. This includes any units behind a window or lead glass. If there are other mobiles in line-of-sight, power down those mobiles while operating the other. Verify that the green ON light on the front of the TechSwitch Receiver Unit is illuminated. (The TechSwitch Receiver Unit automatically powers on when you turn on the X-ray unit.) Take the TechSwitch Transmitter out of its cradle, step back from the X-ray unit (up to 36+ feet/11 m), and aim the TechSwitch remote Transmitter Unit at one of the four red detector windows on the TechSwitch Receiver Unit. Detector windows are on the front, back, left and right sides of the Receiver Unit. To turn on the collimator light... Press the Field Light Button on the Transmitter Unit. That turns on the collimator light so you can double check your alignment. To prep the rotor... Press and release the Radiography Button on the Transmitter Unit. When both the Ready light on the X-ray machine control panel and the ROT light on the TechSwitch Receiver Unit have illuminated, you can make an exposure. To make the exposure... Press the Radiography Button on the Transmitter Unit a second time, and hold it down until the X-ray machine completes the exposure. When the exposure is completed, an audible tone from the machine will sound, the X-ray indicator light on the control panel will illuminate, and all lights on the TechSwitch Receiver Unit will be lit. When the exposure is completed, both the X-ray unit and TechSwitch system will automatically return to standby mode. Return the TechSwitch Transmitter back to its cradle on the X-ray unit. Note: If the Transmitter Unit is left uncradled, the Remote Finder feature will activate causing the transmitter to beep.

DEACTIVATING THE TECHSWITCH SYSTEM

The Collimator Light automatically deactivates upon rotor prep. The Rotor Prep Cycle automatically drops out and returns to standby if an exposure is not initiated within 15 seconds of prep, or if the collimator lamp is turned on. The Exposure is automatically discontinued if the Radiography Button is released while making an exposure (dead-man).

ABOUT THE REMOTE FINDER FEATURE

The TechSwitch Transmitter Unit has a built-in remote finder. This feature is useful for locating the Transmitter Unit should it become misplaced. How the Remote Finder works If the TechSwitch Transmitter Unit is not returned to its cradle within three minutes after use, the transmitter will repeat a series of beeps. This series of beeps will continue indefinitely until the transmitter is located and put back in the cradle.

Questions? Call Us Toll-Free at 1-800-733-XRAY (9729) (From outside the USA, please call 1-203-661-2798) Email Us at questions@remotetechnologies.com 6.

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