As a leading innovator, developer, and manufacturer of X-ray imaging component solutions worldwide, Varex Imaging has an expansive history of pioneering technological innovation. We speak to Mark Jonaitis, Senior Vice President and General Manager of X-ray Sources, to learn more.
MAKING THE INVISIBLE VISIBLE
Initially used in the late 19th century to help battlefield physicians locate bullets in wounded soldiers, radiology – specifically the discovery and usage of X-rays – has an extensive and engrossing history that continues with new developments and innovations to this day.
This forward-thinking is the lifeblood of Varex Imaging (Varex), a leading independent supplier of medical X-ray tubes and image processing solutions.
With over 75 years of unparalleled innovation and breakthrough technology in high-quality components for X-ray imaging systems, Varex’s story is one of dedication, determination, and a desire to create a positive impact in the lives of millions with its products.
“We’re the largest independent X-ray tube manufacturer on the planet, so much so that many of our customers are also our competition,” opens Mark Jonaitis, Senior Vice President and General Manager of X-ray Sources.
Jonaitis has a background in physics and began his career in process engineering at Varian Medical Systems (Varian) – the predecessor of Varex – learning to build X-ray tubes in the 1980s before progressing into management.
“We found so much growth as a company and our portfolio was expanding so rapidly that new opportunities were coming up on a regular basis and kept me constantly engaged until I eventually took up a management role,” he expands.
Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, but boasting a worldwide presence, Varex has over 2,700 employees, 320 of which are engineers dedicated to the advancement of R&D. The company offers a range of products, including X-ray tubes, X-ray detectors, high-voltage connectors, X-ray collimators, ionization chambers, mammography paddles, solid-state automatic exposure control systems, buckies for digital imaging, X-ray acquisition software, and post-processing software.
With products designed to harness the power of X-ray energy to pioneer advances in many applications, Varex has a rich history of helping customers become world-class system suppliers by strengthening their competitiveness and enabling them to bring products to market at a faster pace.
TECHNOLOGY THAT COUNTS
From medical imaging to cargo screening and border security, Varex’s components are used by X-ray imaging systems manufacturers around the globe to detect, diagnose, and protect.
“We build both industrial tubes as well as medical tubes for the two sectors; however, our biggest strengths are in computed tomography (CT) and mammography tubes,” insights Jonaitis.
“There’s a high probability that if you get a mammogram, it will be with one of our products, and our employees take a lot of pride in that because they know they are making a difference in the healthcare industry.”
Despite the company’s overarching prevalence in the medical industry, Varex has helped make waves within the industrial sector, specifically border security.
With the seemingly daunting task of combining X-ray sources and detectors to meet security image application needs, the company utilizes its extensive product knowledge and experience to accurately determine the energy needed to penetrate a material and match it with the best detector sensitivity and resolutions to produce a high-quality digital image.
“We pioneered anode grounded technology into CT 25 years ago, and since then, the entire industry has followed us. All high-power tubes on the planet are now anode end grounded,” Jonaitis further explains.
While Varex is a leader in industrial and security imaging components, supplying components for complex imaging systems is not the only service provided. Customers rely on the company’s knowledge of industrial requirements, component integration, conformity to industry standards, training, and overall 2D and 3D imaging experience to find the best technology for any application.
Additionally, the company has two smaller businesses in its portfolio: Mevis – a German software company whose primary product is artificial intelligence (AI), and C&C – a low-cost manufacturing site based out of the Philippines building high-voltage cables.
Combining the manufacturing scale and know-how with strong customer relationships and unparalleled innovation, Varex is continually exploring the next generation of X-ray imaging products, technologies, and concepts.
PARTNER FOR SUCCESS
Committed to exceeding customer needs and expectations, Varex collaborates with its diverse range of clients to create new and exciting products that positively impact the lives of people around the globe.
We are the largest independent X-ray and detector manufacturer on the planet. The reason people purchase from us is because of our high quality and innovation. They expect us to keep them on the cutting edge of technology.
Mark Jonaitis, Senior VP and General Manager of X-ray Sources, Varex Imaging
These partnerships are crucial to the company’s long-lasting success and ability to stay on top of industry trends and new technologies.
“Many times, especially as new technologies roll out, significant original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) don’t want to be the ones on that leading edge as it can be expensive and a technological burden,” comments Jonaitis.
“They’d rather have that hardship fall elsewhere until they can be positive about the results and volume. We have been able to come in and lead the way with cutting-edge technology and solutions.”
One way Varex is able to accomplish these technological endeavors is through building factories in different countries in order to make its supply chain operations more convenient for customers and streamline its operations.
“Besides the factories we already operate in the US, we have facilities in China and Germany. We are also in the process of building one in India so that we have a presence in every major population center in order to make doing business with us a seamless experience,” expands Jonaitis.
Alongside the investment into global factories, Varex has made several strategic acquisitions and built new relationships to continue to drive innovation and promote continued expansion.
This includes the 2019 acquisition of Direct Conversion (DC) in Stockholm, Sweden, who provides digital X-ray imaging for medical, dental, and industrial markets. DC also introduced the world’s first affordable plug-and-play photon counting detectors and changed the market with its ground-breaking hybrid sensors.
With a history that spans over seven decades, Varex is not only dedicated to the imaging industry but to its partners’ enduring success.
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
With the motto ‘making the invisible visible’, Varex has undeniably become the leading innovator, developer, and manufacturer of X-ray imaging component solutions worldwide.
Looking towards the future, the company is excited to showcase new and advancing technologies, one of which includes tomosynthesis, an advanced form of mammography.
“This new imaging is becoming increasingly more popular because healthcare professionals are able to scan at a rapid rate with multiple exposures to make the procedure as minimally invasive as possible without compromising image quality,” explains Jonaitis.
Additionally, Varex is exploring the usage of cold cathode technology, which does not rely on the heating of a filament to provide thermionic emission of electrons.
“The advantage of cold cathode technology is that there’s no delay in the rise time for an exposure and that’s when you start to acquire the image,” divulges Jonaitis.
“Right now, our tubes are faster in their ability to make an exposure than the detectors can capture the image.”
Varex recognizes that all of this innovation and growth cannot be accomplished without the daily dedication of its workforce.
“We have a very well-educated and talented team, and ultimately, all of our employees want to make a difference. I fully believe that we give them a chance to see that and be a part of that success,” concludes Jonaitis.
With innovation at the heart of Varex’s vision to create a healthier, safer future, the company is proud to work hard to offer the most cost-effective, high-quality diagnostics and imaging solutions.
