Top concept: Lodox Systems Xmplar-dr. Picture: JEREMY GLYN
Medical sales representative Natasha Roux accepted the award on behalf of Lodox Systems. Picture: JEREMY GLYN

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THE Accenture Innovation Index and Awards process has proved that innovation can make a major difference in the lives of a country’s citizens. Whether innovation develops from the most basic idea or becomes an inherent aspect of an organisation, the results are telling. Of the organisations that participated in the index, 73% indicated improvements in quality of life among their communities.

Lodox Systems’ Xmplar-dr, a unique full-body X-ray scanner for trauma and forensic pathology use, won the top Accenture Innovation Index concept accolade. The scanner performs a head-to-toe scan in 13 seconds, producing a digital image of extremely high quality, while emitting low levels of harmful radiation.

"We believe that we are changing the paradigms of trauma workflow and trauma resuscitation. The aim is to try to give doctors the best information as quickly as possible, which will help considerably in saving time, money and ultimately lives," says Carlos Sousa, chief operating officer of Lodox Systems.

With the Xmplar-dr system, he says, the information is available within seconds of the scan being completed.

The genesis of the Xmplar-dr concept can be traced back more than a decade to a period when Sousa was an engineer working for the De Beers diamond mining company, where there was a need to body-scan workers exiting the mine as a security precaution.

"We soon realised that there was potential for developing this technology (called linear slot scanning radiography) for use in medical applications."

With assistance from doctors at the Groote Schuur Hospital and input from the University of Cape Town, a concept was developed — originally called the "Statscan" — of which the Xmplar-dr is the latest modification.

"We are currently working to get our machines into all the tertiary hospitals and Level 1 trauma centres in South Africa, or even district hospitals," says Sousa.

And, according to Lodox Systems product manager Sarah Whiley: "A newer application of the X-ray scanning technology is in the field of forensic pathology, where the fast, full-body X-rays give pathologists a quick overview of the body before they begin an autopsy. In some cases, the high quality images mean autopsy can be avoided altogether. For investigations of gunshot victims, ability to view the bullets in two planes can save hours of autopsy time."

Says Sousa: "We are very proud to have received this Accenture award and to have been recognised alongside some of the big names in South African business."

Another company enhancing South African lives is 1 Call Accredited Services and Providers, which received a special mention as a top innovation concept. It is a one-stop shop for consumers to find an accredited contractor in the domestic marketplace, such as builders, plumbers, electricians or handymen.

1 Call monitors every consumer enquiry to ensure a contractor on its network contacts the consumer, provides a quote quickly and gives the consumer a reliable and ethical service encompassing good workmanship. 1 Call holds an all-risk insurance policy for the entire contractor base, which includes cover for defective workmanship and public liability.

Their effort to clean up an industry with a historically bad reputation for fly-by-night contractors and contractors embezzling consumers’ funds won it plaudits.

© BDlive 2013