Whether facilitating intricate orthopedic surgeries or guiding detailed vascular studies, C-arms are indispensable for many surgical applications. Their flexibility, precision and real-time imaging help physicians improve patient outcomes. But hospitals should consider their facility’s needs and surgical volume before investing in a new mobile C-arm. It will help ensure the equipment pays for itself through reimbursement rates and other benefits.

Patient Comfort

Unlike traditional open-back surgery, which pulls muscles and causes tissue damage, c-arms allow physicians to access the spine through a tube retractor placed in the thoracic cavity. It reduces soft tissue damage and minimizes patient discomfort. A mobile c-arm comprises an X-ray generator, an image intensifier or flat panel detector, and a workstation to control the system. It moves horizontally, vertically, and around swivel axes, so the physician can view the area of interest in real time without moving the patient.

Hologic C-arms are designed to meet the needs of OR teams, providing exceptional performance in both 2D and 3D imaging with superior patient comfort and operational efficiency. It features advanced AI-enabled ROI technology that ensures optimal radiation protection of the entire OR team – patient, surgeon, and staff – while maintaining image quality. It also offers a rotational flat panel detector that increases imaging versatility for long bones and a low-dose option to decrease the amount of radiation used during the procedure.

Real-Time Imaging Procedures

The C-arm’s powerful imaging system allows physicians to achieve multiple angles for optimum imaging. It reduces the need for repositioning the patient, which is time-consuming and disruptive to surgery. Better yet, they allow the physicial to get imaging in real time while they are working. These greatly aid in procedures that are minimally invasive. Because doctors don’t have to ‘open you up’ to see what they’re doing, they can make smaller incisions, and improve recovery times. And while surgery isn’t often required for this, c-arms can aid in doctors setting a bone back in place after a dislocation.

Increased Throughput

C-arms allow surgeons to see the gallbladder, liver, bone and several structures in real-time, thus enabling them to perform surgeries efficiently. Part of that capability comes from the rotational capabilities of some units, as they can rotate around both the patient and the physician to get the best angles. To increase throughput, high end c-arm equipment should have large image storage, high tube/generator capacity and a USB data port for future referrals and for integrating with Hospital Information Systems (HIS) or electronic medical records (EMR). They also need a 9″ or higher image intensifier to work in different areas of surgery, including urology, neurology and vascular (this won’t be necessary for every use case, just as a note). Those purchasing a C-arm should look for a regional service provider that offers 24/7 servicing. Some of the service plans offered by retailers or manufacturers really aid in keeping the unit functional and imaging for as long as it can, which is another sense of throughput. These help hospitals reduce downtime and equipment failure. In addition, remanufactured c-arms provide the same functionality as new machines and can be sold at half or even a third of the cost of a new unit. These refurbished units from the right retailer operate at or above OEM standards, and can have comprehensive support that further provides that value per dollar.

Reduced Costs

C-arms require regular upkeep and can be expensive, but the real-time images they provide help reduce the risk of complications during surgery. It saves hospitals money on costly re-do surgeries and improves patient outcomes. Choosing the right mobile or fixed C-arm system for your facility and procedure needs depends on several factors. But if you’re running everyone through an MRI because there’s not a better option for smaller issues, then it’s hard not to see the benefit this would provide in terms of scheduling and convenience. Treating patients faster allows you to take on more patients after all.