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because of a lack of imaging power," says Mr. Jett. "But years of research and
development to improve C-arm software let surgeons see fine, small objects,
even in large patients. That's the big challenge, especially in minimally invasive
surgery, so imaging power is key."
Mr. Jett says you can expect to pay $90,000 for a pain management C-arm,
$150,000 to $175,000 for a platform geared toward urologic procedures and
$125,000 to $150,000 for a C-arm best suited for spine and ortho.
Those are significant capital outlays to be sure, but the newest platforms
provide better range of motion of the C-arm itself and superior HD images
when viewing small or dense anatomy, says Theresa Criscitelli, EdD(c), RN,
CNOR, an assistant director of professional nursing practice and education at
Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y.
Superior images can provide enhanced visualization during surgery and opti-
mize outcomes, says Ms. Criscitelli. "That's especially true when using real-time
3D imaging for spine surgery — the images help surgeons minimize damage to
surrounding tissue and reduce procedure times," she adds.
Ms. Criscitelli says the latest C-arms have great maneuverability, which lets
the arm swivel and lock at almost any angle. She also points out that models
with thin, flat detectors take up less space in operating rooms, where valuable
real estate is always at a premium.
Also consider the safety of your patients and surgical team, says Ms.
Criscitelli. She points out that newer C-arm models are designed to reduce the
amount of radiation patients, surgeons and staff are exposed to during proce-
dures.
Ms. Criscitelli says she's always justifying cost and determining the return on
investment of proposed purchases. "In this case, efficiency and safety would be
my justification to add a newer C-arm to the OR," she says. "Knowing that the
surgeon can obtain quality images in real time in order to make better clinical
decisions is important to me. Couple that with improved staff and patient safety
