6 2 S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E A P R I L 2 0 1 6
Buying tips
For the 3D capability,
expect to pay $75,000 to
$100,000 more than your
standard C-arm. Today's
standard C-arms cost
$100,000 to $150,000. A
3D
C-arm runs between
$200,000 and $250,000.
A few purchasing consid-
erations:
• 2D and 3D in one? The 2
mobile 3D C-arms my
hospital purchased com-
bine 2D and 3D function-
ality in one device. That's
right: The same machine
that takes our standard
fluoroscopic pictures
also brings CT-like
images to the OR. Note
that not all 3D C-arms can
be used as a regular C-
arm, as ours can.
• Surgical navigation. If
your facility uses surgical
navigation, be sure that
the 3D C-arm you choose
EXACT ANATOMY IMAGING
For a C-arm to be considered "isocentric," the central X-ray beam must
remain in the isocenter of the subject regardless of the position of the C-
arm. The distance of the X-ray tube and the image intensifier from the sub-
ject does not change, allowing consistent image size throughout a scan.
An orbital rotation far beyond that of a standard C-arm is required to
maintain isocentricity and perform 3D imaging with orbital movement. This
eliminates patient repositioning during procedures which, in turn, reduces
radiation dose and saves time.
Among the current 3D C-arm models on the market, the Siemens Arcadis
Orbic 3D, featuring 190° orbital rotation, is the only system that is truly
isocentric. The Philips BV Pulsera 3D and Ziehm Vision Vario 3D compensate
for this with software applications, but their 3D modeling is based on for-
mulas as opposed to actual anatomical images.
— Chris Sharrock
Mr. Sharrock (chris.sharrock@blockimaging.com), sometimes referred to as the "The C-arm
Guy," is the fluoroscopy product manager at Block Imaging, a C-arm refurbisher in Holt, Mich.
Understanding the Principle of Isocentricity
• CIRCULAR ARC Isocentric C-arms move in a perfect circle around the subject
while other models rotate in an egg shape, says Block Imaging's Chris Sharrock.
Block
Imaging
