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A C-arm
Streamlined design and digital data have improved imaging.
T
he useful life of a well-maintained C-arm may span more than a
decade, but most facilities will be lucky to experience 7 to 10
years of normal use. One indicator that it's time for an upgrade
is an overall decrease in the image quality your equipment delivers. A
deteriorating image makes it more difficult to complete cases within
their allotted time frames, and extending procedure times results in
increased radiation doses to patients and staff, user dissatisfaction
and lost revenue for the facility. There's good news, though: Your next
C-arm may incorporate some impressive advances. Here's what to
look for.
The flat factor
What a difference a decade makes. The latest generation of mobile
fluoroscopic imaging units has come a long way from older, bulkier
models. In 2009 the flat panel detector, an alternative to traditional
image intensifier technology, was introduced in the United States. Not
only are flat panel detectors more streamlined, they're also able to
provide highly detailed imaging, even of small structures, for orthope-
dic clarity while exposing patients and staff to less radiation. Flat
detectors also run cooler than image intensifiers, a technology that
had not seen significant changes since its introduction.
Mobile C-arms feature image intensifiers and image receptors that are
either 6 inches, 9 inches or 12 to 13 inches. A 6-inch field of view is usu-
ally found on mini C-arm systems, which are ideally suited for such
orthopedic extremity applications as wrist, elbow, ankle and foot surger-
ies. Mini C-arms with flat panel detectors create the lowest radiation
doses, making them a good choice for pediatric applications.
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Thinking of Buying …
Karen Wenning, RN
