GE Amx 4 Instruction Manual

							AMX-4+ OPERATION
GE Healthcare (MODEL 2169360, 2236420 & 2275938 SERIES)
REV 15 om 2166913-1EN
1-1
SECTION 1
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
The instructions in this operation manual are for use with the AMX-4+ Mobile X-ray 
Unit , 
Models 2169360 2169360-2 2169360-3 2169360-4
2169360-5 2169360-6 2169360-7 2169360-8
2169360-9 2169360-10 2169360-11 2169360-12
2169360-13 2169360-14 2169360-15 2169360-16
Models 2236420 2236420-2 2236420-3 2236420-4
2236420-5 2236420-6 2236420-7 2236420-8
2236420-9 2236420-10
Models 2275938 2275938-2 2275938-3 2275938-4
2275938-5 2275938-6 2275938-7 2275938-8
2275938-9 2275938-10 2275938-12 2275938-13
2275938-14 2275938-15 2275938-16 2275938-17
Your AMX-4+ is designed for ease of operation and years of reliable service. Each 
time you push a button, you can depend on the same consistent radiographic 
quality - quality comparable to radiographs made in a full scale X-ray room.
ILLUSTRATION 1-1 
Since the AMX-4+  is battery operated, theres no need to plug in your mobile X-ray 
unit before taking exposures. Battery operation makes the AMX-4+  easily adapted 
to operating, intensive care, and emergency room applications. 
Because of a dual-motor drive, driving and positioning the AMX-4+  requires a 
minimum of effort . And the control panels cut-away design permits optimum 
visibility for steering down crowded corridors.  
						

							AMX-4+ OPERATION
GE Healthcare (MODEL 2169360, 2236420 & 2275938 SERIES)
REV 15 om 2166913-1EN
1-2
The self-stopping bumper, one of many built-in safety devices, helps prevent 
unwanted mobility - the motors stop and the brakes activate upon impact with 
another object . 
Operator controls are microprocessor based, combining the latest technology 
with simplicity of design.
The control panel includes three illuminated displays: a kVp and mAs display to 
reflect the technique selected, a battery display for at-a-glance battery status, 
and a message display to provide helpful information on the operating status of 
the AMX-4+ . 
1-1 Available Options
Mobil-Aid Automatic Exposure Control. 
For operating instructions, refer to Mobil-Aid Owners Manual, Number 69198.
1-2 How to Use This Book
Most sections of your operator manual (see Contents) are organized using two 
headings:
1. Overview, and
2Steps
Overview
Overview, as the name implies, presents general information on a particular 
operation. Introductory in nature, the overview is intended to help give you an 
overall understanding of a procedure or capability, quickly and easily.
The word overview is flagged in bold text , like this ...
Overview
and appears in the left margin of the page.
Steps
For specif ic, detailed information in step-by-step sequence, youll refer to the 
actual procedure. In this manual, we refer to procedures as steps. 
The word steps is flagged in bold text , like this ...
Steps
and also appears in the left margin of the page.
Steps are listed numerically. Any supplemental information (that is, additional 
information you should know, but information that isnt really necessary to 
perform the procedure) is listed under the step in a bulleted    format .
•supplemental information is placed next to a bullet 
						

							AMX-4+ OPERATION
GE Healthcare (MODEL 2169360, 2236420 & 2275938 SERIES)
REV 15 om 2166913-1EN
1-3
We think youll f ind the AMX-4+  portable design performs so easily that it seems 
to nearly run itself.
To promote optimum operation of this or any radiographic equipment , however, 
be sure to read your operators manual carefully. 
And, when not in use, store your manual in the cassette tray so that all new users 
can easily refer to it when needed.  
						

							AMX-4+ OPERATION
GE Healthcare (MODEL 2169360, 2236420 & 2275938 SERIES)
REV 15 om 2166913-1EN
2-1
SECTION 2
SAFETY FIRST
This equipment is to be used by authorized medical personnel only.
Your AMX-4+ is engineered for years of reliable service. To promote optimum 
safety, be sure to read this manual carefully, before operating the unit .
Keep the manual with the equipment at all times. When not in use, store it in the 
AMX-4+ cassette tray.
Always be alert to safety when you operate this equipment . You must be 
familiar enough with the equipment to recognize any malfunctions that can 
be a hazard. If a malfunction occurs or a safety problem is known to exist , 
isolate the unit to avoid unauthorized operation, and do not use this 
equipment until qualif ied personnel correct the problem.
THIS X-RAY UNIT MAY BE DANGEROUS TO PATIENT AND OPERATOR UNLESS CORRECT 
EXPOSURE FACTORS AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS ARE OBSERVED.
ALWAYS PROVIDE NECESSARY RADIATION PROTECTION FOR YOUR PATIENT AND 
YOURSELF WHEN OPERATING ANY X-RAY SYSTEM.
2-1 Good Operating Practices
• Wear a lead apron while performing an X-ray exam.
• Step back at least 6 feet (1.8 meters) from the tube or to the full extension of 
the handswitch cord before making an exposure.
• Always use the proper f ield sizes and technic factors for each procedure to 
minimize X-ray exposure and produce the best diagnostic results.
• Check the digital display carefully before making an exposure: verify that the 
selected technique is the intended technique. Pay particular attention to the 
placement of the decimal point in the mAs setting to insure that whole 
numbers are not mistaken for an intended mAs fractional number.
• When X-raying bed patients, move them as far as possible from nearby 
patients.
• Ask visitors to step outside the room during an exposure.
• Use gonadal shields for patients whenever possible.
• Be sure to read and follow the maintenance schedule outlined in the 
Maintenance and Service section of this manual.
• Under most conditions, cumulative radiation dose to the operator will not 
exceed recommended maximum permissible levels. However, as with all 
radiation-producing devices, a qualif ied radiation expert should evaluate 
situations involving frequent exposures using high kVp and mAs technics to 
determine if extra protective devices are necessary. 
WARNING
WARNING
CAUTION 
						

							AMX-4+ OPERATION
GE Healthcare (MODEL 2169360, 2236420 & 2275938 SERIES)
REV 15 om 2166913-1EN
2-2
While driving the AMX-4+, keep the f ilm bin closed. A loaded bin may close 
without warning possibly causing injury.
CAUTION 
						

							AMX-4+ OPERATION
GE Healthcare (MODEL 2169360, 2236420 & 2275938 SERIES)
REV 15 om 2166913-1EN
3-1
SECTION 3
OPERATING CONTROLS
ILLUSTRATION 3-1 
AMX-4+ MOBILE X-RAY UNIT (RIGHT REAR VIEW)
FILM BIN
Provides convenient storage
for ten 14 x 17 cassettes. DRIVE HANDLE
Grip to activate drive 
motors.CONTROL PANEL
Contains most operator controls and 
all displays.VERTICAL COLUMN
Supports telescoping arm.TELESCOPING ARM
Retractable arm supports
collimator and X-ray tube.
TAPE MEASURE
SKIN SPACER
BARS
COLLIMATOR
Adjusts easily.
Calibrated in inches
or cm.
HANDSWITCH
Controls exposures and automatical-
ly timed field light.
SELF-STOPPING BUMPER
Stops drive motors and activates 
brakes on impact.
BRAKE RELEASE
Releases brakes if drive 
motors fail. 
						

							AMX-4+ OPERATION
GE Healthcare (MODEL 2169360, 2236420 & 2275938 SERIES)
REV 15 om 2166913-1EN
3-2
ILLUSTRATION 3-2 
AMX-4+ OPERATOR CONSOLE
PENCIL TRAYKEY SWITCH
Turn ON to drive the unit or take
exposures. Turn OFF to remove key.
Recharge in ON or OFF positions.
LATCH
Secure the vertical column
in the park / transport position.
KVP AND MAS DISPLAY
Displays kVp and mAs selections.
X-RAY EXPOSURE INDICATORS
Light up when exposure is made.
BATTERY STATUS DISPLAY
Shows relative state of charge.
At or near full charge, all segments are illumi-
nated.KVP AND MAS CONTROLS
Press the up or down kVp/mAs
triangle to select the correct
exposure setting.MESSAGE DISPLAY
Displays status and
error messages.
NOTE:  Top of cap key when
in OFF position. 
						

							AMX-4+ OPERATION
GE Healthcare (MODEL 2169360, 2236420 & 2275938 SERIES)
REV 15 om 2166913-1EN
3-3
3-1 Turning the AMX-4+ On
Steps
Be sure to refer to Maintenance and Service in this manual for important 
information on the circuit breaker.
1. Turn the keyswitch to the ON position.
ILLUSTRATION 3-3 
KEYSWITCH
• The unit performs diagnostics (self-tests to make sure everything is working 
correctly). This process takes a few seconds. 
2 When the technique and battery status displays light up, the unit is ready for 
operation. TESTING COMPLETE will also briefly appear on the message display.
3If TEST -- XX FAILED is displayed, turn the unit OFF then ON again. If TEST -- XX 
FAILED displays again, write down the alphanumeric code (XX represents the 
code) and contact your service representative.
Keyswitch in
ON position.
TESTING COMPLETE 
						

							AMX-4+ OPERATION
GE Healthcare (MODEL 2169360, 2236420 & 2275938 SERIES)
REV 15 om 2166913-1EN
4-1
SECTION 4
DRIVING THE AMX-4+
Overview
A compact design and dual motor assembly makes driving and maneuvering the 
AMX-4+ an easy process.
If moving down hallways or just traveling from one room to another, youll f irst 
make sure the telescoping arm is properly positioned and securely latched so 
maximum speed can be reached.
Then simply grip the drive handle and steer the unit to your destination. (See 
Illustration 4-1.)
MOVEMENT OF THE AMX-4+ X-RAY UNIT COULD CAUSE THE HORIZONTAL ARM 
TO SLIDE AND STRIKE AN OPERATOR OR PATIENT IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY. 
LATCH TELESCOPING ARM PROPERLY BEFORE MOVING THE UNIT.
DO NOT DRIVE OR POSITION THE AMX-4+ UNIT UNLESS STANDING DIRECTLY 
BEHIND IT (SEE ILLUSTRATION 4-1). FAILURE TO DO THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS 
OF CONTROL CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY AND EQUIPMENT DAMAGE.
ILLUSTRATION 4-1 
DRIVE HANDLE
GRIP THE DRIVE HANDLE
TO ACTIVATE THE MOTORS....
RELEASE YOUR GRIP TO
STOP THE UNIT.
WARNING
WARNING 
						

							AMX-4+ OPERATION
GE Healthcare (MODEL 2169360, 2236420 & 2275938 SERIES)
REV 15 om 2166913-1EN
4-2
The drive automatically adjusts to your pace, and can be pushed forward, turned 
or pulled in reverse at speeds of up to 3 mph (4.8 km per hour).
A self-stopping bumper at the front of the unit automatically activates the brakes 
and turns off the drive motors upon impact , to help prevent accidents. If the 
bumper is engaged, simply grip the drive handle and pull the unit in reverse. (As 
with any mobile equipment , however, when driving the unit be sure to exercise 
reasonable care.)
With the telescoping arm extended for a patient exam, the AMX-4+ pivots on the 
spot , rotating and maneuvering easily for exact positioning. Again, grip the drive 
handle and turn the unit to the desired position.
AMX-4+ maneuvering speed is automatically reduced by 50 percent when the 
telescoping arm is extended.
ILLUSTRATION 4-2 
ARM EXTENDED