After nearly a year of official review and verification, Director of Global Sales Mike Cairnie of MinXray Inc., a key global supplier of portable, compact digital imaging equipment, has earned a Guinness World Record for the “highest altitude operating an X-ray machine” while on an expedition with both MinXray and artificial intelligence company Qure.ai.
The record was achieved on behalf of MinXray on April 21, 2022, by Cairnie who was working with a group of three medical professionals from Qure.ai to demonstrate portable digital radiography and its effectiveness at high altitudes. They were able to successfully operate MinXray’s Impact Wireless – a portable and battery-powered digital radiography system – taking several sets of diagnostic radiographic images at the Mount Everest Base Camp in Khumjung, Nepal, at an altitude of 17,598 feet.
Mike Cairnie says, “Radiograph technology is critical for diagnosing several conditions, including bone fracture and chest conditions such as Tuberculosis. Until now, people who have medical emergencies in remote locations have not had access to this important information. We were glad the expedition went well and now this technology is proven at high elevations.”
Following Cairnie’s Everest journey, MinXray’s Vice President of Marketing and Sales Jeanne Walter began the process for Guinness World Records submission. The initial application was online and required Walter to submit for a new record field and prove that the record had been achieved. Guinness required several points of evidence verification to prove both the elevation and that the images were successfully taken, including references from medical personnel and witnesses, proof of expertise, proof of elevation, video of the imaging and equipment readouts among other items.
“I was impressed by the evaluation and vetting,” Walter says. “Guinness World Records took this just as seriously as MinXray and its process made sure that real achievements get the recognition they deserve.”
To see more photos of this journey, and the people and communities the team met along the way, visit the News section of the MinXray website (www.minxray.com) for video and story updates.