Grant: 22-035C
Project Title: Sea Turtle Rehabilitation X-Ray Equipment
Project Manager: Bette Zirkelbach
Organization: Hidden Harbor Marine Environmental Project (The Turtle Hospital) (Non-Profit Organization)
Grant Amount: $10,944.50
Completion Date: 2023-10-23

Summary: The Turtle Hospital will purchase a new X-Ray Generator and Table/Tubestand to replace an antiquated x-ray generator and table/tube stand currently in use at the hospital. The x-ray generator and table/tubestand will be used with our existing x-ray digital plate to take radiographs of sea turtles in rehabilitation at the Turtle Hospital. The Turtle Hospital has been treating sick and injured sea turtles for over 35 years and continues to be a primary rehabilitation facility for sea turtles. Radiographs are a critical tool in diagnosing sick and injured sea turtles. Currently the Turtle Hospital is using an old x-ray generator and table/tubestand that was purchased in 2005. We were told during our annual x-ray equipment inspection last year that the generator and table/tubestand should be replaced. The x-ray equipment quoted is a newer version of what the Turtle Hospital has now and has served the Turtle Hospital’s x-ray needs well for over 15 years. The new generator is a high frequency which will allow the medical team to cut exposure time about half of what they currently use. A new, reliable x-ray generator and table/tube stand will assure seamless treatment of sea turtles at the Turtle Hospital.

Results: The Turtle hospital purchased and contracted an electrician to install a new x-ray generator and tabletablestand with four-way tabletop and hands-free collimator light system. The digital Cannon x-ray plate holder had to be modified to fit the new table.