Most hospitals and physicians want a mobile C-arm that’s easy to use and provides high-quality images. However, many factors determine what defines good image quality. For example, image resolution, system power and monitor displays play their part in determining what you see on the screen during a procedure.
Patient Comfort
Many medical professionals need to move quickly and easily to provide a high level of treatment. Using a C-arm can help because the device is easy to maneuver and can be positioned quickly into position. A C-arm’s mobility is especially important for fluoroscopic guided hip injections. This procedure allows for injecting painkillers or numbing agents into the area without making a large incision. Getting accurate imaging from all angles is key, and a c-arm’s flexibility is vital.
A C-arm’s movement also helps improve clinician ergonomics. Various models feature a variety of motion options, including motorized axes to support training and positioning, which allows surgeons to move and take images faster. Some models offer form-fitting handles for easier handling. Others add a color-coded system for easy reference and control. Hologic C-arms are continually raising high-quality fluoroscopy imaging standards. It provides a variety of imaging choices, an improved user experience, and a 24″ HD touchscreen interface for imaging the extremities.
Image Quality
Mobile C-arms are used to perform fluoroscopy procedures, allowing the physician to see inside body parts in real time. The c-arm generator emits X-rays, and then an image intensifier converts the X-rays into a visible image on a monitor. The system is portable and can be moved around on various axes for better positioning in a procedure. The best mobile c-arms will have superior imaging quality. It allows for clear, crisp images that would enable physicians to see even the smallest anatomical details of the patient. A mobile c-arm uses a CMOS flat-panel detector for high-quality digital images. It allows for lower radiation dose and faster imaging. The system also has advanced features such as motion tolerant subtraction and procedure road mapping that can enable a procedure with fewer contrast media injections. It helps reduce the overall cost of a process. It also has a large display making it easier for surgeons to see the images.
Patient Positioning
C-arms are maneuverable, allowing the operator to capture accurate images from multiple positions. This maneuverability is especially important for vascular procedures, where the patient’s position can change. Another benefit of C-arms is that they can use a smaller amount of lead to protect the operator and patient from scattered radiation. It helps reduce the chance of radiation exposure, which can be particularly dangerous in patients with weakened immune systems or certain cancers. For vascular and orthopedic cases, the most common type of C-Arm uses an image intensifier with a 0.5mm lead shield. It helps reduce scatter and improve the contrast/brightness of the real-time image. A full-size C-Arm with a larger 12″ image intensifier may be used for urology and cardiology. These can be found in most hospitals and come with options like last image hold (LIH), a network connection, an image printer and enhanced storage capabilities. The bigger machines also can use a wider range of surgical needles and stents.
Safety
C-arms are a staple in many orthopedic, pain management and urological facilities. However, these powerful imaging tools can increase staff and patient exposure to radiation if not properly maintained and operated. Your medical physicist or national radiology organizations can help you determine the level of equipment maintenance, operator training and other radiation-safety measures your facility needs to maintain compliance with state and federal radiation safety requirements.
Radiation-induced injuries often don’t appear until weeks or months after the exposure. That’s why tracking radiation dose rates and wearing protection is important for anyone who uses fluoroscopy equipment regularly. Mobile C-arms offer a more customized imaging solution for a wide variety of clinical applications and superior flexibility in the choice of the navigation system, helping them drive the fastest growth in the market over the forecast period. Look for a system with a 9″ image intensifier, vascular capabilities, and a large tube/generator capacity. Also, consider getting a C-arm with the electric movement for greater maneuverability and precision.
