Model note · DEXA Scanner
Hologic Horizon A dual energy X-ray absorptiometry
The Hologic Horizon A is a fan beam DXA bone densitometer from Hologic's Horizon range, used in radiology, rheumatology and osteoporosis clinics and in research such as the US NHANES survey. It measures bone mineral density and fracture risk, body composition, vertebral fractures and abdominal aortic calcification, and can image the full femur for atypical fractures. Its OnePass fan beam geometry acquires a dual energy scan in a single sweep, and an internal calibration system corrects every pixel against bone and tissue references.
The model
Maker, model and type.
- Maker
- Hologic, Inc.
- Model
- Horizon A dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) system
- Device type
- DEXA Scanner
- Main document
- Open the public document
Key specifications
What the public record says.
| Item | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Acquisition | OnePass true fan beam geometry with a high resolution ceramic multi element detector array; single sweep dual energy scan | Source |
| Spine and hip scan time | About 10 seconds; IVA single energy vertebral image in about 10 seconds; full femur AFF scan about 15 seconds | Source |
| Generator | High capacity X-ray generator with increased heat load capacity and no cool down time | Source |
| Calibration | Internal dynamic calibration system, pixel by pixel through bone and tissue equivalents | Source |
| Patient size | Brochure claims imaging up to 450 pounds | Source |
| Dose (whole body) | Entrance dose under 1 mR under standard conditions, per the NHANES protocol manual | Source |
| Positioning laser | 1 mW laser with automatic shut off when the arm is closer than about 15.5 inches to the light spot | Source |
| Software | APEX operating software with MXApro, Physician's Report Writer DX and IRIS connectivity (DICOM, HL7) | Source |
| FDA basis | GUDID lists 510(k) K023398 (Hologic QDR bone densitometers), product code KGI | Source |
Recalls
Known FDA recalls.
- Z-2373-20242024-06-13
Horizon DXA systems (A, W, Wi, C, Ci) exceeded IEC 60601-1-2 electromagnetic compatibility limits; correction FA-00247.
FDA record
Safety
Safety warnings from the record.
- Affected Horizon systems exceeded IEC 60601-1-2 EMC limits; Hologic told sites not to scan patients with active implanted or wearable electronic devices until corrected. Source
- The positioning laser is a 1 mW source; patients and staff should not look into the beam or put reflective items in its path. Source
- The emergency stop disables X-rays and table motion immediately; staff should know where it is. Source
- A MAUDE report from a site inspection describes a trainer telling users to practise scanning on staff, which exposes people to radiation without clinical need. Source
Sources
Where this note comes from.
- Hologic Horizon DXA System brochure PB-00238 Rev 005
- CDC NHANES 2019-2020 Body Composition Procedures Manual (Horizon A)
- openFDA UDI records, Hologic Horizon
- openFDA recall Z-2373-2024
- openFDA MAUDE problem counts, Hologic Horizon
Not covered: The Horizon technical specification sheet on hologic.com returned not found and the user guide is only on a third party library, so detector element count, X-ray tube ratings, exposure times and room requirements are missing; QC acceptance limits in the NHANES manual are survey protocol values, not Hologic's.
BMEssentia knowledge drafted from public information, reviewed by Hasan Khaled Ismail on 2026-10-24. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for use and service manual.
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