GE Amx 4 Instruction Manual

							AMX-4+ OPERATION
GE Healthcare (MODEL 2169360, 2236420 & 2275938 SERIES)
REV 15 om 2166913-1EN
5-9
• Should you reach a maximum or minimum value, kVp / mAs MAX or kVp / mAs 
MIN will briefly appear on the message display to alert you. 
IMPORTANT!:Carefully check the digital display (see Illustration 5-9) before making an 
exposure to ensure that the factors selected are those that are intended. 
Pay particular attention to the placement of the decimal point in the mAs 
setting to ensure that whole numbers are not mistaken for an intended 
mAs fractional number.
• The kVp ranges from 50 to 125 kVp, in 24 steps:
 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 
115, 120 and 125. 
• The mAs ranges from 0.40 to 320 mAs, in 30 steps: 
 
 0.4, 0.5, 0.64, 0.8, 1, 1.25, 1.6, 2, 2.5, 3.2, 4, 5, 6.40, 8, 10, 12.5, 16, 20, 25, 32, 
40, 50, 64, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200, 250 and 320.  Refer to the chart below for 
maximum technique ratings. 
•
• Its important to note that the kVp setting takes precedence over your mAs set-
ting. That is, if your technique would generate too much heat for the X-ray 
tube anode, the mAs setting will automatically decrease to permit the select-
ed kVp. 
 For instance, if kVp is set at 110 then your maximum mAs will not exceed 200. 
Note:The maximum allowable kVp and mAs ratings stated within this operation 
manual and as allowed by the equipment, may appear to exceed the 
tube ratings. (Reference Direction 46-017226, Tube Ratings HRT X-ray 
Tube 50 & 60 Hz or 2236721-100, Product Data Sheet Maxiray 75 TH 11 
X-ray Tube). The reason for this apparent discrepancy is that the tube rat-
ing charts in Direction 46-017226 or Product Data Sheet 2236721-100 
are based upon a 25% heated tube assembly (75% heat units remaining), 
while the actual maximum allowable kVp and mAs ratings are based 
upon a cold tube assembly. The AMX-4+ generator contains a proprietary 
heat loading algorithm which protects the tube assembly for all heat 
loading conditions.
Maximum kVp and mAs Ratings
kVp mAs
110 to 125 200
95 to 105 250
50 to 90 320 
						

							AMX-4+ OPERATION
GE Healthcare (MODEL 2169360, 2236420 & 2275938 SERIES)
REV 15 om 2166913-1EN
5-10
5-7 Taking Exposures
Check the battery status and message displays for battery condition. Its 
important to note that you do not have to raise your kVp or mAs value to 
compensate for low battery voltage.
Steps
Once youve positioned patient and cassette, selected technique and the proper 
safety precautions are taken, follow these steps.
1 Remove handswitch from saddle. Press the handswitch button half way to the 
PREP position. Accelerating the rotor to proper speed takes about 2.5 seconds. 
•READY FOR X-RAY will appear on the message display. 
 
Note:You may, if you wish, press the button all the way down to take an exposure. 
The 2.5 second prep cycle is automatic. (If PREP/EXPOSE positions are 
pressed simultaneously, READY FOR X-RAY will not display.) 
2 Press the PREP/EXPOSE button all the way down to take an exposure. (An 
audible tone will sound, and the X-RAY indicator will light up.) 
• If an exposure isnt taken within 30 seconds of pressing PREP, release and re-
peat the prep cycle. (Release the PREP/EXPOSE button, and press to prep po-
sition again.) 
• If the message WAIT appears, you may still take another exposure. Although, 
because of insufficient recovery time, the selected technique may be inaccu-
rate. (Refer to Messages On Display in this manual for a complete description 
of all X-ray messages.) 
•HEAT WAIT displays when the tube anode is cooling. No exposures can be 
taken while this message appears. (The length of the delay will vary with the 
selected technique.) If an exposure is attempted while HEAT WAIT is active 
X-RAY DISABLED will be displayed. 
• The kVp/mAs Numeric Display will flash for about 6 seconds after the release 
of the handswitch from the PREP position, if an exposure has occurred. 
3 Secure the unit for transport when the exam is complete.
READY FOR X-RAY 
						

							AMX-4+ OPERATION
GE Healthcare (MODEL 2169360, 2236420 & 2275938 SERIES)
REV 15 om 2166913-1EN
6-1
SECTION 6 
CHARGING THE BATTERIES/CAPACITY GAUGE OPERATION
Overview
Battery charging is as easy as driving the AMX-4+ to a correctly rated wall outlet  
and plugging the unit in. Ratings are as follows:
• For Models 2169360-7,-8,-9,-10, 2236420-7,-8,-9,-10, 2275938-7,-8,-9,-10: 
120 Volts AC, 60 Hz at 6A.
• For Models 2169360, 2169360-2,-3,-4, 2236420, 2236420-2,-3,-4, 2275938, 
2285938-2,-3,-4,-12,-13,-14,-15: 
220/240 Volts AC, 50 Hz at 3.15A.
• For Models 2169360-5,-6, 2236420-5,-6, 2275938-5,-6:
100 Volts AC, 50/60 Hz at 6A.
The time required to fully recharge the AMX-4+ batteries will vary according to 
battery charge level as indicated on the battery status display.
During recharge the AMX-4+ capacity gauge increases as the unit is charged. To 
recharge from 10% to 100% typically requires 4-5 hours.
Occasionally the AMX-4+ automatically performs an extended charge to make 
sure that all portions of the batterys internal plates get fully charged. This 
extended charge occurs every twentieth time the battery is charged.
To recharge from 10% to 100% during an extended charge typically requires 10 
hours. The AMX-4+ will continue to attempt extended charges until at least half of 
the extended charge time is complete.
Note:The extended charge will be transparent to the operator. The only indica-
tion that it is in progress is the longer charge time.
Although portable application will vary site to site, under most operating 
conditions, a fully charged AMX-4+ is designed to supply enough charge for a 
typical 8-hour shift .
The AMX-4+ capacity gauge visually displays the remaining capacity using a 48 
segment bargraph display. 
						

							AMX-4+ OPERATION
GE Healthcare (MODEL 2169360, 2236420 & 2275938 SERIES)
REV 15 om 2166913-1EN
6-2
ILLUSTRATION 6-1 
The blue battery status display approximates remaining battery charge, and should 
only be used to gather information as to the relative state of charge.
As the AMX-4+ is used in its various modes of operation, the number of segments lit 
will slowly decrease.
Its important to note that you do not have to raise your kVp and mAs value to 
compensate for low battery voltage.
Should the battery charge dip below approximately 10% of full capacity, RECHARGE 
RECOMMENDED will flash on the message display. (If all segments are extinguished, 
the message RECHARGE IMMEDIATELY -- X-RAY INHIBITED displays.)
To ensure maximum battery life, the AMX-4+ should not be recharged until at least 
one-half of the bar graph segments have extinguished.
Illustration 6-1 shows how much of the batterys capacity is used for the various 
AMX-4+ operating modes on a relative basis. 
BATTERY
CHARGING
PLUG
TO CHARGE THE 
BATTERY, SIMPLY PLUG
THE UNIT INTO ANY
CORRECTLY RATED WALL
OUTLET.
AT OR NEAR FULL CHARGE, ALL 
SEGMENTS ARE
ILLUMINATED.% Charge
RECHARGE RECOMMENDED WHEN BATTERY
CHARGE DIPS BELOW
APPROXIMATELY 10%, RE-
CHARGE IS
RECOMMENDED.
% Charge 
						

							AMX-4+ OPERATION
GE Healthcare (MODEL 2169360, 2236420 & 2275938 SERIES)
REV 15 om 2166913-1EN
6-3
ILLUSTRATION 6-2 
As Illustration 6-2 demonstrates, the majority of the battery packs capacity is 
used for drive and idle.  Thus, reducing the amount of drive time by parking the 
AMX-4+ in a central location and turning the system OFF when not in use will 
make more capacity available for X-ray generation and will increase the service 
life of the batteries.
Note:See the Ratings and Specification Section, 9-7 for more detail on how to-
tal AMX-4+ battery capacity is determined.
Bar Graph Display vs Battery Loading
Table 6-1 details the various battery loads and how they affect the bar graph 
display.  
TABLE 6-1 
LOAD MODEAPPROXIMATE 
DISCHARGE RATETYPICAL DAILY USAGE*
Idle 
(AMX-4+ on but not in use)0.04 
segments/minute6 segments
Drive
(Drive handle engaged)0.4 
segments/minute13 segments
Field Light
(Any time light is ON)0.3 
segments/minute3 segments
X-Ray Prep
(PREP switch depressed)0.4 
segments/minute1 segment
X-Ray
(High voltage generation)0.0005 to 0.8 
segments/exposure0 segments
TOTAL DAILY SEGMENTS TURNED OFF: 23 segments (48%)
* - Based on data from a number of actual AMX-4 sites. 
						

							AMX-4+ OPERATION
GE Healthcare (MODEL 2169360, 2236420 & 2275938 SERIES)
REV 15 om 2166913-1EN
6-4
Capacity Gauge Features
“STUCK AT FULL” FEATURE
After the AMX-4+ charges to 100% (i.e. “CHARGE COMPLETE” ), the capacity gauge 
will remain “stuck-at-full” for a pre-programmed amount of usage before the 
number of lit segments begins to decrease.   This usage is equivalent to 
approximately 10 minutes of drive or 100 minutes of idle.   Once this “stuck-at-full” 
capacity is used, the capacity gauge will update according to Table 1.  
EMERGENCY CAPACITY FEATURE
When the AMX-4+ capacity gauge drops to 0%, inhibiting X-ray exposures, it is 
possible to access some emergency capacity to finish
 an exam by turning the 
AMX-4+ off and then back on.  After it has completed its power-up tests, the 
AMX-4+ will provide enough capacity for approximately 45 seconds of usage 
before X-ray exposures are again inhibited.  
In some cases the AMX-4+ battery may not provide suff icient voltage for 
proper operation when EMERGENCY CAPACITY is used. Therefore this feature 
should only be used when absolutely necessary.
6-1 Application Tip
To insure the greatest reliability, you may decide to establish a battery charging schedule at your 
particular site, based on past experience and anticipated needs.
Steps
Follow these steps to recharge the batteries.
When recharging the batteries, always locate the unit in a well ventilated 
area.
1 Drive the AMX-4+ to a designated battery charging station or to a correctly 
rated wall outlet . A rating plate is located on the front of the unit , above the 
battery plug. (See Illustration 6-3.) Position the unit to within 10 feet of the 
outlet .
2 To plug in, f irmly grip the plug located on the front of the unit , and pull the 
retractable cord straight out until it is fully extended. Set the cord by a slow 
pull-release action. Plug into the battery charging station.
CAUTION
CAUTION 
						

							AMX-4+ OPERATION
GE Healthcare (MODEL 2169360, 2236420 & 2275938 SERIES)
REV 15 om 2166913-1EN
6-5
ILLUSTRATION 6-3 
3 Check the message display to conf irm the charging status: the message 
CHARGING should appear on the display.
• During charging all other controls, driving and X-ray exposures, for instance, 
are disabled. Note that you may charge the batteries with the KEYSWITCH in 
either the ON or OFF position. 
4When CHARGE COMPLETE appears on the message display, and all blue 
segments are illuminated, the batteries are fully charged (at 100% of capacity). 
5 Unplug the unit from the outlet , giving the plug a slight tug to release from 
take-up reel. 
Important:After unplugging the unit, turn the unit on and wait approximately 15 
minutes before taking your first exposure to ensure technique accuracy.
You may leave the unit in the charge position indefinitely, if you wish, without 
damaging the equipment.
The prompt BATTERY TOO HIGH may display when the first exposure is 
attempted after charging. If this occurs, run the rotor for 15 to 20 seconds 
and then make the exposure. This prompt is caused by a normal battery 
voltage rise after charging. 
RATING PLATE
BATTERY CHARGING
PLUG
CIRCUIT BREAKER
CHARGING 
						

							AMX-4+ OPERATION
GE Healthcare (MODEL 2169360, 2236420 & 2275938 SERIES)
REV 15 om 2166913-1EN
7-1
SECTION 7
MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE
7-1 Cleaning the Unit
We recommend that you clean the AMX-4+ regularly with a soft cloth and a mild, 
non-abrasive cleaner. Apply the cleaner to the cloth, not directly to the unit , to 
safeguard against damage to the circuitry. If a corrosive chemical is spilled or 
splashed on the unit surface, be sure to clean it off immediately. 
7-2 Hand Switch Cleaning and Disinfecting Instructions
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS - Before you begin:
• Disconnect the hand switch cord from the body of the hand switch before 
performing the maintenance/cleaning procedures.
• Never use solvents or flammable solutions to clean the hand switch.
• Never use dripping cloth (or) immerse hand switch in water or cleaning 
solutions.
Approved Cleaners
The cleaners listed below are approved to clean the hand switch:
• Bleach 50% mix with water (5–8% household Bleach)
• Glutaraldehyde 
						

							AMX-4+ OPERATION
GE Healthcare (MODEL 2169360, 2236420 & 2275938 SERIES)
REV 15 om 2166913-1EN
7-2
7-3 Main Power Circuit Breaker
The main power circuit breaker is located on the front right side of the unit . Refer 
to Illustration 6-3.
If the battery charge is too low, or in the event of an overload in the high-voltage 
system, the circuit breaker will trip (interrupt power to the X-ray unit). 
Should the circuit breaker trip, the control panel lights will go out and youll be 
prevented from operating the unit . To resume operation, flip the circuit breaker up 
to the ON position.If necessary, recharge the unit or (if the battery is adequately 
charged) try the procedure again.
If the battery is within operating condition (as indicated by the battery status and 
message displays) and power interruptions are frequent , there may be a fault in 
the high voltage system. If a fault is indicated, have the unit checked by a qualif ied 
service representative.
If the unit does not turn off when the keyswitch is turned off, isolate the unit to 
prevent unauthorized operation, use the circuit breaker to remove power from the 
unit , and have the unit checked by a qualif ied service representative.
7-4 Periodic Maintenance by Service Personnel
To insure the continued safe performance of your AMX-4+ portable X-ray unit , 
establish a periodic maintenance program with a qualif ied service representative.
Periodic maintenance checks are required thirteen months after installation and 
every year thereafter. A periodic maintenance schedule and a sample mAs/kVp 
accuracy chart are provided on the following pages.
7-5 Qualif ied Service Available
GE Medical Systems, and its associates maintain a worldwide organization of 
service personnel specially trained on medical X-ray equipment . Consult your GE 
representative to f ind out more about all the available service programs.  
						

							AMX-4+ OPERATION
GE Healthcare (MODEL 2169360, 2236420 & 2275938 SERIES)
REV 15 om 2166913-1EN
7-3
Table 7-1 
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Maintenance/Checks Frequency 
Replace counterweight cable Every 5 years
Inspect counterweight cableEvery year (Refer to Appendix 6 of 2173227-100, 
AMX-4+ Periodic Maintenance)
Replace hand switch Every 3 years
Verify no movement between collimator and 
tube unitEvery 12 months, verify that there is no movement 
between the collimator and X-ray tube. If any 
movement is detected, you MUST remove the 
collimator and inspect all related fasteners. Refer to 
Direction 2173225-100, AMX-4+ Service for additional 
information.
Extension arm inspectionEvery year (Refer to Section 3-3 in Direction 
2173224-100, AMX-4+ Functional Check)
Collimator general inspection and adjustmentEvery year (Refer to Section 3-4 in Direction 
2173224-100, AMX-4+ Functional Check)
Filament and rotor interlocksEvery year (Refer to Section 3-5, Direction 2173224-100, 
AMX-4+ Functional Check)
X-ray tube anode rotationEvery year (Refer to Section 3-5, Direction 2173224-100, 
AMX-4+ Functional Check)
Column and carriage assembly inspectionEvery year (Refer to Section 3-3 in Direction 
2173224-100, AMX-4+ Functional Checks)
mAs accuracyEvery year (Refer to Appendix 4, Direction 2173227-100, 
AMX-4+ Periodic Maintenance)
kVp accuracyEvery year (Refer to “kVp Accuracy and Indirect 
Linearity” (Test 3-3) in Tab 3 of Direction 46-013894, 
System Field Test
for  HHS)
Operator displaysEvery year (Refer to “Generator Operator Indicators” 
(Test 3-1) in Tab 3 of Direction 46-013894, System Field 
Test for HHS)
Cross hairEvery year (Refer to Appendix 3, Direction 2173227-100, 
AMX-4+ Periodic Maintenance)
Collimator alignmentEvery year (Refer to Appendix 3, Direction 2173227-100, 
AMX-4+ Periodic Maintenance)
Equipment and Serial Number:
Date of Inspection: _
Maintenance Check Performed By: