Introduction - Features & Enhancements - OEC C-Arm - Other Systems
Other Imaging Systems used in OT
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Mobile X-Ray

A mobile X-ray unit is commonly used besides mobile C-arm unit in Operating Theatre. These Mobile X-rays must have the manoeuvrability, compactness and power without sacrificing image quality and less radiation dose to patient. They are presented with short exposure times and single focal spot size (for newer models). There are three main classifications of a mobile X-ray unit: Mains dependent unit, Capacitor discharge unit and Mains independent unit.

Mains dependent unit received the power directly from the mains through a cable. An example of this kind of unit is Philips Practix 33 plus. Capacitor discharge unit uses charged capacitor to supply the required power. The capacitor still requires the main supply to be charged but the unit will not require any mains when it is in use. An example is Hitachi Sirius 125B. For the mains independent unit, the power is supplied by rechargeable batteries. The batteries will still require the mains supply to be fully charged but is independent of the mains when it is in use. Example of such a unit is Shimadzu MobileArt Plus.



Mini C-Arm

With the interest in tmini C-armhe medical community to refine minimally invasive procedures, the mini C-arm was born. Co-existing in the standard-sized C-arm market, the mini C-arm is smaller in size and application in that it was designed specifically for use on the extremities. The two main manufacturers in this market are GE Medical Systems' OEC C-arm product line and Hologic Inc.

Mini C-arms are most effective on surgical and non-surgical applications in the extremities because of the size of the mini C-arm, the free space available for fitting extremity. And at the same time, these body parts are relatively tolerant of the negative effects of X-rays, so the use of a mini C-arm is deemed 'safe' for extremity applications. In addition, mini C-arms are typically less expensive to acquire and operate. The x-ray tube is positioned approximately 40 cm from the image intensifier and CCD (charged coupled device) instead of 100 cm for the normal C-arm.

Hologic Inc, the first company to produce mini C-arms, initially designed these products for hand surgeons who needed real-time imaging with automatic operation. Mini C-arms have since evolved from the first generation of 3-inch field of view, hand surgery-based units to the current fourth generation of 4- to 6-inch field of view models for expanded use with feet, ankles, knees, and shoulders.

NYP Diagnostic Radiography (Accelerated) 2005 Group 2