Last Updated on
July 5, 2023
By
Excedr
Many large imaging systems utilized in radiology, such as MRI machines and CT scanners, can take up entire rooms.
However, mobile C-arm systems are generally is small enough to be employed in both operating rooms and inside clinics while still producing high-quality images. C-arms get their name from their crescent moon shape. They are also known as C-arm X-ray machines due to their use of X-rays and radiation detectors to generate images.
C-arms are used primarily used for fluoroscopic imagining in surgical procedures, orthopedics, cardiology, vascular surgery, and traumatology. Fluoroscopy is a type of medical imaging that provides a continuous X-ray image in real-time.
As an intraoperative imaging device, C-arms offer non-invasive, real-time images making it an excellent tool for monitoring patients' health. Functionally, C-arms have two main components, the generator or X-ray source and the image intensifier or a flat-panel X-ray detector. The detector and the generator are attached to the C-shaped arm, allowing for freedom of movement horizontally, vertically, and around its axes.
The X-rays are shot out of the generator towards the patient. Due to X-rays' physical qualities, they can penetrate the patient's body without any pretest preparations. After the X-rays pass through the patient's body, the detector collects the data, translating it into a visible image that can be displayed on a monitor. The actual radiographic image quality is detailed enough to distinguish between blood vessels, bones, and implants.
C-Arm instrumentation, techniques, and cost can vary from model to model. Understanding your needs and matching them with the proper configuration and technique is one of the first steps to increased efficiency, accuracy, and ease of use. Let's review some of your options below.
After the X-rays pass through a patient’s body, they lose some of their initial energy.
Once through the body, these X-rays hit a fluorescent surface and glow depending on how much energy they have remaining. Image intensifiers, or image intensifier tubes, are vacuum-tube-based devices that increase light intensity in low-light systems.
In C-arms, image intensifiers are placed behind the fluorescent surface and are equipped with a camera to capture the glow pattern. It should be noted that although an effective tool, due to the image intensifier’s curvature, some distortion does occur.
A more modern device that is rapidly becoming popular is the flat-panel detector. If we look at image intensifiers as an analog approach, these flat-panel detectors would be a digital one.
Instead of using a fluorescent surface, FPDs detect and analyze the incoming X-rays indirectly or directly. Indirect detectors use a layer of scintillator material that converts the energy of the X-rays into light.
This light passes through a layer of silicon detectors, translating it into an image pixel by pixel. Direct FPDs use photoconductors to directly capture the X-ray photons and convert them into an electric charge.
This charge is then analyzed and converted into an image. By bypassing the optical conversion step, FPDs can offer distortion-free images.
A relatively new development for C-arm imaging, 3D C-arm computed tomography (CT), uses an FDP C-arm system with 2D X-ray projections to generate 3D images similar to CT scans.
To generate these 3D images, the C-arm performs a full sweep around the entire patient’s body, gathering thousands of 2D views from all angles. The collected images are stitched together to create a 3D cone-beam reconstruction of the image.
The image can also be shown as either cross-sectional or full-volume rendering. Initially only used for neurovascular imaging, this technique is now being applied to imaging soft tissue. This technique is also known as rotational angiography.
Imaging of internal organs and bone structure is vital to our medical development. Seeing what is wrong with a person without opening them up has improved our ability to treat sick people.
Since 1895, when Rontgen invented the first X-ray-based technology, we have steadily improved our ability to look into a person’s body. In 1927, the Portuguese doctor Egas Moniz developed the first angiogram using X-rays to image the vasculature of a person’s brain by using a contrast medium.
By the 1950s, X-rays had become a vital part of any doctor’s diagnosis; however, due to their designs, they could not move. In 1955, the first C-arm was developed to solve this issue. It offered doctors the flexibility of a much smaller portable device while also giving them the necessary X-ray capabilities that they needed.
When acquiring a C-arm, one of the critical factors to consider is the price. The cost of C-arms can vary significantly based on various factors, such as the nature of your work, the desired level of technology, and other specific requirements. Let’s delve into this topic to help you navigate the pricing landscape and find the right balance for your needs.
C-arm prices typically range from around $25,000 to $70,000 or more. However, it’s essential to note that new models with advanced features can cost upwards of $150,000. While these state-of-the-art units offer cutting-edge technology and the latest innovations, they may not always be within everyone's budget.
Refurbished C-arms are an excellent alternative to new models, as they are a more cost-effective solution. These units undergo a thorough inspection, repairs, and maintenance to ensure they meet high-quality standards. As a result, refurbished C-arms often come at a lower price point than brand-new models.
While refurbished C-arms can offer significant cost savings, it's important to evaluate your specific requirements carefully. Depending on your practice or facility’s needs, a refurbished unit might not provide all the features or capabilities you require. Investing in a new model might be the most suitable option to ensure you have access to the latest technology and functionalities.
Determine the right balance between price and features by working with reputable C-arm vendors or manufacturers. They can help assess your unique requirements, budget constraints, and future growth plans to recommend the most appropriate C-arm solution for your practice.
Moreover, explore different financing options available to support your acquisition of a C-arm. Many vendors offer flexible payment plans, leasing options, or equipment financing programs, making it easier to manage the upfront cost. These arrangements allow you to allocate your financial resources efficiently while ensuring access to C-arm capabilities.
Remember that the price of a C-arm should not be the sole determining factor in your decision-making process. It is essential to consider factors such as image quality, compatibility with your existing systems, ease of use, and the vendor’s reputation for reliable service and support.
In this blog post, we explored the fascinating world of mobile and mini C-arms, portable imaging systems that offer remarkable capabilities.
C-arms, also known as C-arm X-ray machines, provide real-time imaging during surgeries, orthopedics, cardiology, and more. Their compact design and utilization of X-rays and radiation detectors make them a valuable tool for non-invasive monitoring and precise imaging.
Understanding your specific needs and aligning them with the right C-arm configuration is key to maximizing efficiency, accuracy, and ease of use. With advancements in technology, C-arms continue to evolve, offering greater precision and imaging capabilities.
Investing in a C-arm empowers healthcare professionals to make informed decisions, improve procedural outcomes, and enhance patient care, and can unlock a new level of diagnostic insight in your practice or clinic.
