C-ARM question

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I am conducting a research study about Mobile C-Arm X-ray equipment and looking for Ziehm users to participate. Please drop me an email if you are interested.

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Thanks!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Love the varic. had one for 2 years. zero complaints

jsut bought a pulsera. Effin hot! I use subtraction daily, not every case, but usually once or twice a day. Great machine. I am broke now.


paindoc76 said:
The practice I'm thinking about joining is considering buying an Siemens Arcadis Varic. It seems a bit pricey at $115 (without table). Has anyone had any good/bad experiences with this system?
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I work in field service for OEC, so I know more about the technical aspects of c-arms than the operation of them. I found this thread interesting, so I thought I would join. Interesting hearing about our competators products.
 
Welcome to the community. Your expertise and knowledge will be greatly appreciated here.
 
Any comments about the Siemen's with 3D capability.
 
I worked with the Siemens varic recently at a local hospital, loved it. It gives great images even on large patients, very easy to use and I am currently looking at leasing one.
I would say buyer beware of the online "remanufactured" C-arms. I purchased a 9400 OEC, it worked well for one year and then died, could not get parts. So, I went to a Ziehm 7000 which, after one year started to go on the blink. I am currently looking a leasing a new C-arm. Get the best technology you can afford and trade up every 3 years!
 
pptllc said:
I worked with the Siemens varic recently at a local hospital, loved it. It gives great images even on large patients, very easy to use and I am currently looking at leasing one.
I would say buyer beware of the online "remanufactured" C-arms. I purchased a 9400 OEC, it worked well for one year and then died, could not get parts. So, I went to a Ziehm 7000 which, after one year started to go on the blink. I am currently looking a leasing a new C-arm. Get the best technology you can afford and trade up every 3 years!
Click to expand...
We have a local guy who buys old units on ebay and then cannibalizes them for parts on older machines. You most certainly can get parts - you just cant get them from the manufacturer once they make the decision to stop supporting legacy products.
 
pptllc said:
I worked with the Siemens varic recently at a local hospital, loved it. It gives great images even on large patients, very easy to use and I am currently looking at leasing one.
I would say buyer beware of the online "remanufactured" C-arms. I purchased a 9400 OEC, it worked well for one year and then died, could not get parts. So, I went to a Ziehm 7000 which, after one year started to go on the blink. I am currently looking a leasing a new C-arm. Get the best technology you can afford and trade up every 3 years!
Click to expand...
We have a local guy who buys old units on ebay and then cannibalizes them for parts on older machines. You most certainly can get parts - you just cant get them from the manufacturer once they make the decision to stop supporting legacy products.
 
If you buy a used or remanufactured c-arm, make sure it is not an end-of-life product. the 9400 and 9600 are end of life, and GE will sell the parts that it has left in inventory. If you get a 9800 or 9900, they are fully supported and you can get just about every part. Soon GE will be offering refurbished 9900's at a decent deal.
 
Any suggestions on comparing a BV Pulsera to OEC 9800?
 
Ligament said:
Pulsera will blow away the 9800 in every aspect except cost, since the 9800 is no longer in production.
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can i get a witness! go pulsera.
 
Hi, everyone, I am currently looking for a budget c-arm and visited a warehouse today. they recommended Phillips BV 300 and we compared the image quality side by side with OEC 9600, it seems Bv 300 a touch better. Also the BV 300 we looked has a 12 inch Image Intensifier, which is larger then that of 9600, not sure that is standard or not? Could anybody comment on the the BV 300, regarding the ease of use, if broken frequently and if parts are easy to find.... any comments are greatly appreciated!

Also any recommendations for other models with similar cost? Thanks!
 
esi said:
Hi, everyone, I am currently looking for a budget c-arm and visited a warehouse today. they recommended Phillips BV 300 and we compared the image quality side by side with OEC 9600, it seems Bv 300 a touch better. Also the BV 300 we looked has a 12 inch Image Intensifier, which is larger then that of 9600, not sure that is standard or not? Could anybody comment on the the BV 300, regarding the ease of use, if broken frequently and if parts are easy to find.... any comments are greatly appreciated!

Also any recommendations for other models with similar cost? Thanks!
Click to expand...
What are the respective costs of the Phillips and OEC units you are currently considering?
 
esi said:
Hi, everyone, I am currently looking for a budget c-arm and visited a warehouse today. they recommended Phillips BV 300 and we compared the image quality side by side with OEC 9600, it seems Bv 300 a touch better. Also the BV 300 we looked has a 12 inch Image Intensifier, which is larger then that of 9600, not sure that is standard or not? Could anybody comment on the the BV 300, regarding the ease of use, if broken frequently and if parts are easy to find.... any comments are greatly appreciated!

Also any recommendations for other models with similar cost? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I can't comment directly on the BV 300 or 9600, have never worked on either. However, I did do extensive comparisons of the BV Pulsera to the OEC 9900 and found the Pulsera superior for my needs in image quality and features.

Regarding image intensifier size, I trained on a 12" but purchased a 9". For pain procedures, I find no need for a 12". In addition, a 9" will ultimately give you better image quality, less radiation scatter, and better maneuverability (less weight) than a 12". Either one is fine for pain procedures, but I now see an advantage to the 9" after using one for the past 8 months.
 
Thank you all for the comment. I visited another warehouse today and was told a little more: I was told Phillips is not giving out some critical technical info including the software with the purchase, which is much needed with repair and adjustments, which could cause a potentially much higher repair cost since you have to go back to Phillips... any comments on this one?

The quote for a refurbished BV 300 is $35000, and a Refurbished 9600 would cost 10-15k more. Also with the size of II, I imagine without moving the machine or table, if you can get more vertibrae levels covered, that could lead to less repeative shooting and less radiation exposure? I never used a 12 inch II myself.
 
I am looking for an economical C-arm. I found a 9400 for 10k. It's not remanufactured but I know it's in great shape. I was looking around and found some parts for it, new tube and II and they are relatively cheap. I was just wondering if this thing is worth buying. Could you conceivably keep one of these around for another 5 years, replacing parts as necessary?
Thanks for your past comments and help!!
 
Hey all,

I just joined the VA (I know I know) as there interventional pain guy and I was approached today with a quote for a new C-arm, OEC 9900 Elite with physician controlled motorized c-arm for 250K! They want to get me the motorized c-arm cause it might be hard getting an xray tech. First, is this a good c-arm? esi thought the bv300 was better? And does anyone have experience with the motorized unit. I always had someone run the c-arm in fellowship. ampaphb it was good seein ya at ISIS a few months ago
 
drusso has a motorized 9800 and he loves the motorized aspect suggest you PM him. I like the image quality and all other features of the Philips Pulsera better than the 9900 but there is no motorized option for the Philips.
 
Thanks Ligament. That's great. Very helpful. I'll contact him
 
clubdeac said:
Hey all,

I just joined the VA (I know I know) as there interventional pain guy and I was approached today with a quote for a new C-arm, OEC 9900 Elite with physician controlled motorized c-arm for 250K! They want to get me the motorized c-arm cause it might be hard getting an xray tech. First, is this a good c-arm? esi thought the bv300 was better? And does anyone have experience with the motorized unit. I always had someone run the c-arm in fellowship. ampaphb it was good seein ya at ISIS a few months ago
Click to expand...


pulsera is way better and way cheaper, but it requires a human not sterile doing the procedure to operate it...
 
clubdeac said:
Hey all,

I just joined the VA (I know I know) as there interventional pain guy and I was approached today with a quote for a new C-arm, OEC 9900 Elite with physician controlled motorized c-arm for 250K! They want to get me the motorized c-arm cause it might be hard getting an xray tech. First, is this a good c-arm? esi thought the bv300 was better? And does anyone have experience with the motorized unit. I always had someone run the c-arm in fellowship. ampaphb it was good seein ya at ISIS a few months ago
Click to expand...

I also work at a VA doing interventional pain. One of the benefits is the top-notch equipment and minimal logistical headaches. We have an OEC 9900 with motorized control and are about to trade it in because no one is thrilled with it. I've never used it but the techs tell me the motor is a little slower than manual and is not that precise (when you take your hand off the joystick, it moves a hair further). I guess you get used to it. Otherwise, I understand it's a great machine. We paid almost 300k for it, has less than 5 hours and we're accepting under 70k trade in value. It's an archaic trade-in system that doesn't allow outside bidders (our tax-dollars at work). Anyway, maybe OEC will let you try it out before you buy it. But I guess without a tech or assistant to move the machine, it may be your best bet. Good luck!
 
Unsure about what brand C-arm to purchase.
Had a refurbished Ziehm Expo 7000 and lasted no more than 3 years, and parts are nowhere to be found.
C-arm rental is killing me.
I was offered a Siemmens Siremobil for 83K. No experience with that brand.
OEC way over priced even on the refurbished models.
Any advise before I embark on a huge loan?
 
herniated said:
Unsure about what brand C-arm to purchase.
Had a refurbished Ziehm Expo 7000 and lasted no more than 3 years, and parts are nowhere to be found.
C-arm rental is killing me.
I was offered a Siemmens Siremobil for 83K. No experience with that brand.
OEC way over priced even on the refurbished models.
Any advise before I embark on a huge loan?
Click to expand...

siemens are great but the service is awful and parts are very expensive. Had an Arcadis that was great except for the above.

Most of us our very happy with our Phillips Pulseras...
 
Thanks Docshark for ur advise
 
bought a philips endura. Smaller and cheaper than the pulsera. Good service plan and reps.
 
If you're not in a rush, I would recommend buying a slightly used Pulsera through Philips. You will likely save at least 40%. At least when I was looking, there seemed to be a unit (1-2 years old) available every 5-6 months. If you buy it through Philips, you will be covered with their warranty (the same one they provide with a new unit) for one year (24 months on the image intensifier tubes) and can purchase their service plan afterwards. Don't make the same mistake I did, by waiting too long to make a decision. These used units from Philips usually sell quickly and you won't have to deal with all these unscrupulous c-arm dealers.
 
The Pulsera is an AWESOME machine. I had one for 1.5 years and loved it, now back on the OEC 9800 which is multiple steps worse than the Pulsera.
 
Love my pulsera. Would not go back. ( like it is my choice). Astonished how much I see on dig sub. Would not work otherwise on tfesi's anymore.
 
Partner and I wanting to purchasing Pulsera, Does anyone know when they
overhauled their C-arm design( to make it superior to 9800, 9900). Thought I heard 2007 . any truth to that?
 
I work in facility that uses or has used C Arms from some of the major brands, Philips, Siemens, Ziehm and OEC. I was was lucky to come into contact will most of the models and also am good friends who are RT's. If you are loking for a machine that will do everything with little or no problems go with the OEC 9900. But you will pay for it $$$. Its tough to compare pulsera and a 9800 as the 9800 is an older platform. The pulsera worked well when I observed it except that it had troble with larger patients, the monoblock x ray tube was too big bulky that caused trouble underneath any table and the cine vas did not work. The ziehm was a great looking feature rich platform but the unit died 3 times during procedure and we could not get service fast enough for it. Siemens ISO-C was again great platform but it had no penetration power with heavy patients. Eveyone of these machines has pros and cons find the one that fits your needs best. Hope this helps.
 
lonelobo said:
Partner and I wanting to purchasing Pulsera, Does anyone know when they
overhauled their C-arm design( to make it superior to 9800, 9900). Thought I heard 2007 . any truth to that?
Click to expand...

i can tell you the 2008s are the new ones, before that i cant comment...
 
lonelobo said:
Partner and I wanting to purchasing Pulsera, Does anyone know when they
overhauled their C-arm design( to make it superior to 9800, 9900). Thought I heard 2007 . any truth to that?
Click to expand...

Below is response I got from Phillips, anyone know if Orthoplus that critical as lot of used on market are 2006 ?

The current model (release 2.X Pulsera) was introduced in 2005. Largely unchanged until 2007 when OrthoPlus feature introduced. All of the refurbished systems we are selling now are 2005-2007 vintage (pre-OrthoPlus). Customers will only see a difference in ortho cases with very big patients. No change for general surgery or vascular surgery.



Please let me know if you have any other questions. If not, do you feel you will be purchasing this diamond select before the end of the year? Thanks so much!





Gerry Ocken

Philips Healthcare

PeriOperative Monitoring/C Arm Specialist
 
I did most of my training using a OEC 9800/9900, but now use the Pulsera. I am amazed at how clear the images are, especially compared to the 9800! It took a while to get use to the control configurations/settings of a Philips vs. OEC, but well worth it. Also, the Philips image software, View Forum, runs on a Windows O/S, and the images can be stored as .png files and saved/printed/emailed/etc...saves alot of paper...also, my Philips rep says the output can be increased if needed to allow better penetration of "larger patients",...so he says? Haven't had to do that yet...anyway, no issues so far!
 
MedZepplin

What Model year do you have?
 
My Pulsera is a 2005, based on the manufacture plate located on the bottom of the unit.
 
herniated said:
Unsure about what brand C-arm to purchase.
Had a refurbished Ziehm Expo 7000 and lasted no more than 3 years, and parts are nowhere to be found.
C-arm rental is killing me.
I was offered a Siemmens Siremobil for 83K. No experience with that brand.
OEC way over priced even on the refurbished models.
Any advise before I embark on a huge loan?
Click to expand...

The Siemens Siremobil is a great system but you can get them for under 83k. It really depends on what kind of cases you will be using the system for. I have found that most Pain Management centers prefer the Compact L(Siremobil).
 
Anyone out there had any dealings with Integrity Medical (David Denholtz)
when purchaing a C-arm?
 
Is anyone currently using any Ziehm C Arms at your facility? I ask because our physicist noticed consistantly higher badge readings on some rad techs who were exclusivley using a couple of Ziehm C Arms with a doctor who prefered them. Anyways he did some testing on these two units and found that they were typically running mA levels 3-5 times higher than the other C Arms in out fleet, Philips, Siemens, OEC. I guess he contacted Ziehm and they told him it was ok because they were "pulsing the generator". From what I understand he still said the units were much higher even after considering this and since Ziehm really didn't have a good answer he recommened pulling the fleet from our hospital. Has anyone else had any experience with this?
 
When I started at my current site 2 facilities had the BV 300, one had the OEC 9800, and one has the Pulsera. The Pulsera was the best. Then the other 3 bought OEC 9900s and I felt that those were better than the Pulsera until I had each facility take a picture of the table and the cushion on the table. A lot of the image was lost because of the opacity of the table and/or cushion. Does anyone have any suggestions on good tables made of transparent materials?
 
Does anyone here know if lead lining a procedure room for C-arm use (pain procedures) is mandatory in Michigan? I'm trying to convert one of our larger exam rooms into a procedure suite. Currently doing procedures at the hospital, which is inconvinient for the patients and the hospital collects all the facility fees & we're left with penuts. Also, how much would an autoclave machine for RF probes cost. Any help in this regard would be greatly appreciated.
 
Regarding the Ziehm high dose readings on rad techs...this suggests the techs are placing themselves in the line of fire and do not understand radiation safety. If the doctors using the machines have simultaneously high readings, then the Ziehm rep needs to be contacted, and an evaluation of the practices of the doctors and rad-tech machine settings made. (Education?). Rad techs should be getting virtually zero radiation if they are placing themselves in appropriate positioning behind the machine and not hanging too close to the beam.
 
Does anybody have experience with Ziehm Solo c-arm? how does it compare to a Philips Pulsera?
 
algosdoc: Thank you for the reply. The rad tech and doctors have 21,18 and 15 years of experience so I believe they are up to date on the latest radiation safety guidelines. Also the hospital and physicist are stringent regarding ALARA. The badge readings may have been an anomaly but regardless after testing the Ziehm units were found to have average higher dose readings than the other C Arms from the other manufacturers. Ziehm was contacted and the explanation did not help. Its funny because when we first purchased the Ziehms the philips rep said that the Ziehms consistently give a higher dose ( hence the better images). The other problem was that both Ziehms, Solo and Vision R would shut down mid procedure on a consistant basis and the it took 2-3 days for someone to come out and fix it. Finally, unfortunately, we have just discovered that the resale value is not good either. We will not be using any Ziehm products again.

spinepainfix: Read above for my experience with Ziehm. Its tough to compare a Solo and a Pulsera. One is a high end product (Pulsera) and the other is a low end (solo). Pulsera has a 15 Kw generator and solo has a 2 kw. etc, etc A better comparision would be a Vision R / Pulsera at least then he specs are closer. Between the two I would go with the Pulsera, its a solid unit and the service is good and resale also has to be better than ziehm.
 
Hi anyone have any idea if this 3D fucntion , both reconstruction and navigation on the siemens would be useful ? And if so, in what circumstances?

Also, what arguments would you use to justify purchasing the digital substraction feature?

What about the table. What function would be necessary and why?

Thank you for your help!
 
Hi Mister, what are the dimensions for the table you built. I am looking to build one.
And why plexiglass? I am guessing you used that for the top.

Galenao
 
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