For a hospital, buying new equipment can be difficult. It’s expensive and can be hard to find the right device for your facility. That’s why many hospitals turn to refurbished C-Arm Rentals for Emergency Delivery that are still in great condition and come at a much lower price tag than their newer counterparts. Before you make an investment in any C-Arm, there are some things to think about first:
C-Arm Penetration
Kilovoltage peak (kVp) is the peak potential applied to the x-ray tube, which accelerates electrons from the cathode to the anode in radiography. Tube voltage, in turn, determines the quantity and quality of the photons generated. An increase in kVp extends and intensifies the x-ray emission spectrum, such that the maximal and average/effective energies are higher and the photon number/intensity is higher.
Along with the mAs (tube current and exposure time product) and filtration, kVp (tube voltage) is one of the primary settings that can be adjusted on x-ray machines to control the image quality and patient dose.
If you’re using a C-Arm for pain management or orthopedics, higher penetration power may be necessary. That way, you’ll produce less grainy and clearer images, especially when trying to navigate dense anatomy.
What You Intend To Use It For
C-Arms have varying image resolutions. The higher the pixels, the better your image will be.
However, not all procedures require high resolution. For example, if you are performing a lower extremity fracture reduction or an arthroscopic procedure on the shoulder joint then there is no need for high resolution.
Some of the procedures that require high resolution include cardiac imaging, breast and lung cancer screenings, colonoscopies, brain, head and neck surgery.
C-Arms also give different radiation doses to patients in scans and have varying fields of view. You might want a large field of view if you do trauma or orthopedic work.
Image Intensifier Tube
The image intensifier tube is the heart of a C-Arm. This device magnifies and focuses x-rays onto an internal video screen, which then transmits images to the operator’s eyes via goggles or monitors. The longer the life span of this tube, the better for your budget and your patient care.
Choose units with high numbers because they perform better and last longer, reducing the need for repairs. The older a unit is in service, the more likely that it will fail. When purchasing a C-Arm, ask about its life span.
Also, there are two types of image intensifiers. The first is the analog image intensifier while the second is the digital flat panel detector. The analog image intensifier is faster while the second one has better resolution.
C-Arm Features That Produce Better Imaging
There are a number of C-Arm features that can produce better images for your clinical needs. Some include software capabilities, resolution and software size, and light sensitivity. Before purchasing a refurbished C-Arm, it’s vital to check these features.
Refurbished C-Arm Maintenance Costs And Prices
In general, you can expect to pay a little less for refurbished C-Arms because the original manufacturer has already established a price. However, depending on how much time and money is spent on repairs or upgrades, this could end up being an expensive option in the long run.
The main factors affecting the price of a refurbished C-Arm include the manufacturer, the model year, and condition of use.
So if you go for older models with fewer features, you’re likely to pay a lower price.
The Bottom Line
Finding the right refurbished C-Arm is vital to a high patient satisfaction. Clinical needs must be taken into consideration, such as the imaging of the C-Arm and whether or not it has advanced features.
