C-Arm Introduction to Radiotechnology by Cabacungan, Jade Raphael R.
What is a C-Arm machine? C-arm
machine is a device used by a physician to guide surgical instruments while watching the instrument being driven on a live x-ray machine. The C-arm is also referred to as an X-ray image intensifier, or XRII
What are the common uses of a CArm?
C-arm is used for a variety of diagnostic imaging and minimally invasive surgical procedures
It helps in visualizing kidney drainage, abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysm repair, percutaneous valve replacements, cardiac surgery, vascular surgery, neuro stimulation, orthopedics, pain management and neurology procedures.
C-Arm
The C-Arm can be found in the operating room or catherization lab. It has many different parts namely x-ray tube, filters, colliminator, anti scatter grid, image intensifier, aperture and lenses, and a video camera.
X-ray tube
Filter
The
filters remove low energy xrays so that the machine can produce a high quality image
The collimator is used to limit the area of which the x-rays would hit the patient
Anti scatter grid removes scatter radiation. Grids are used particulary in examinations where a large quantity of scatter is created
aperture is a hole or an opening through which light travels
A lens is a transmissive optical device that focuses or disperses a light beam by means of refraction
What happens in a C-Arm?
A contrast media will be ingested or injected to the patient.
The patient will lie down on the table.
The c-arm machine will be adjusted according to the part of the body that will be viewed.
The radtech will begin the exposure by stepping on the pedal.
The x-ray tube will produce x-rays intensifier.
The results will be viewed in the monitor
In a operative procedure the doctors will view the patient’s body while they are doing a surgery to the patient.
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then it will be absorbed by the image
Types of C-Arm models
Compact CArm Compact C-Arm machines are larger than a Mini-C-Arm, but not as big as a Full size C-Arm (almost like a hybrid of the two). These compact systems can come in either one-piece or two-piece systems, with the main benefit being its mobility.
Mini C-arm Mini-C-Arm
machines, which are smaller systems typically used in clinics for sports medicine
Full size C-Arms These
C-Arm machines are usually used for swallow tests, spine and torso studies, cardiology, pain management and surgery.
Super C C-Arms A
Super C C-Arm gives more space from the middle of the C-arm to the outer edge. The extra open space in a Super C (33 inches), allows for additional room to accommodate larger or obese patients.
History of C-arm The mobile C-arm stand for radiology use in surgery was first developed by the German Philips Medical Systems organization and launched commercially in 1955. It was the first system to be based entirely on the use of the image intensifier, and this C-arm form continues to be used in the most high-tech interventional X-ray systems developed today.
In 1965, Philips introduced the 6-inch X-ray image intensifier. Its tube construction and wide-angle viewer enabled an X-ray image to be observed with both eyes at a viewing distance of 50cm - a considerable achievement at the time.
Founders of Philips
Anton Philips
Gerard Philips