Fixing C-Arm Artifacts

When you’re conducting a C-Arm examination, the last thing you want is to see a foreign object obscuring the image. However, artifacts—which can be C-Arm Artifacts2 smudges, specks, spots or streaks—can obscure an image. Since artifacts are common during exams with C-Arms, it’s wise to know what they are, how they occur and what you should do about them

There are two different kinds of artifacts: digital and physical.

A digital artifact is the cause of a compromised processing chain. When pixelization occurs, the visual definition of your image can suffer marginally.

A physical artifact can be caused by dust or dirt in the lens area or in the image intensifier. Sometimes the phosphor lining in the image intensifier will disintegrate with age and become flakes on the lens.

The Solution? Cleaning The Image Intensifier

Digital artifacts can occur when the image processing boards of your C-Arm machine are faulty or aren’t responsive. To rectify this, unplug and re-insert the cables and boards. If the connection continues to be weak and the digital artifact still occurs, you’ll need to contact your service provider. You may need to repair or replace your processing boards.

If you are seeing physical artifacts, start by cleaning the C-Arm machine lens with an eyeglass cloth, similar to those you use for cleaning eyeglasses. If after cleaning the lens you still see the artifact, in all likelihood the artifact is located inside the camera.

To address this, remove the Image Intensifier grid panel. Clean behind the grid with an air puffer, and clean the collimator and tube port area which is located beneath the collimator. If the artifact still appears, in all likelihood it’s time to replace your C-Arm.

Talk To An Expert

Unsure about whether your C-Arm machine can be repaired? Thinking of buying a new one? It’s time to talk to an expert at Atlantis Worldwide. Oftentimes a refurbished or used C-Arm can provide you with the performance you need and the service warranties you want. Atlantis Worldwide has been helping healthcare facilities with their medical imaging needs for almost 30 years. We’d love to help you.

Some blogs you may have missed:

Search here for your Radiology equipment solutions

Sensible Solutions for Refurbished Radiology