OREM, UTAH - Aribex, Inc., the worldwide leader in handheld x-ray technologies, announced that its NOMAD Handheld X-ray has been named as a runner-up in the medical device category of the 2010 Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Awards. The awards recognize products that break from conventional processes.

"We're very pleased by this honor," said D. Clark Turner, PhD, President and CEO of Aribex. "This is our first national innovation award, and it feels great that our seven years of hard work and focus has paid off so successfully. We also appreciate being listed with the other highly notable companies that have received this distinction."

The Journal reports receiving nearly 600 applications from companies, organizations and individuals in 30 countries. Following a review from the publication's editors, about 275 entries were forwarded to a panel of judges from research institutions, venture-capital firms and other companies, and 49 entries were finally chosen for awards.
The NOMAD is the world's first handheld x-ray for dental use. Aribex brought to life a truly futuristic "ray gun" that has revolutionized the dental industry. Unlike the old-fashioned concept of wall-mounted x-ray systems that dentists have traditionally used, NOMAD represents a totally new approach: it's handheld, cordless, and can go anywhere.

When the x-ray machine was invented more than a century ago it was known to have dangerous implications, since it emitted radiation. In response, safety protocols were put into place for its use, such as lead-lined walls, lead vests for both operator and patient, the operator leaving the room, special dosimetry (radiation monitors) and so forth. Aribex changed this paradigm by developing unique and proprietary shielding for the x-ray tube so that the radiation only goes towards the targeted area. In addition, an external backscatter shield was developed to protect the operator from radiation reflected from the patient during the procedure. This makes the NOMAD safe enough to be held in the hand and used right next to the patient without many of the protocols previously required. As a result, the design of the NOMAD permits x-rays to be taken virtually anywhere, in or out of the office.

The NOMAD increases dental office productivity, since it reduces the time required to take a series of x-rays. The NOMAD x-rays system requires no bulky arms, backing plates for walls, special cabinets or costly electrical hookups. In fact, no installation is needed other than plugging in a small recharger unit. Dental treatment rooms (operatories) no longer need to be designed around the x-ray device.

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