Have you ever gone to McDonald's? Of course, that’s a silly question, since 68 million people go to a McDonald’s every day. I’m sure you have been one of those 68 million people at one point in your life. So, 
when you walk up to the counter, what do you ask for? Small, medium, large or super-sized fries? That usually depends on how hungry you are. And just because the fries are super-sized doesn't make them better fries, right? It just means that you get more of them.
So let’s compare that analogy to my favorite subject: C-Arms. Now you’re probably already aware of our affinity towards OEC C-Arms—especially the OEC 9800. But we’ve never discussed the OEC 9800 Super Cs in a blog before, and specifically whether a standard or Super-C OEC 9800 is the right choice for your needs.
But let’s start with the basics. What is the difference between these two C-Arms?
The biggest difference between a Super-C and standard OEC 9800s is the depth of the inner C. The Super-C has 33" of space within the C-Arm, whereas an OEC 9800 with a 9" Image Intensifier has 26" of space and an OEC 9800 with a 12" image intensifier has 28" of depth space within the C-Arm. This additional depth within the arc enables the Super-C to have 145 degrees of orbital rotation as opposed to the 115 degrees afforded standard C users.
Since the Super C allows for extended rotation beyond what its standard brethren can do, it allows your X-Ray techs to perform procedures with greater ease, without having to reposition the patient, the table, or the C-Arm in excess.
Another important difference of the Super C is on the connection between the C-Arm and its foundation, which is referred to as the L-Arm. Since the Super C requires additional space, the L-Arm was made smaller in order to accommodate this. The monitor cart on all three of these systems are exactly the same.
So how do you know if you need a Super C C-Arm? Well, for starters, Super C-Arms are ideal for facilities that tend to have larger patients. Beyond that, there are specific procedures that benefit from the larger C-Arm. For example, if you are using the C-Arm for Steep Oblique Angles, then you will definitely need to purchase a Super C. Another consideration is that OEC 9800 Super Cs are generally priced higher by $5-10k more than you would pay for a standard OEC 9800.
So the reality is, there isn’t much difference between the OEC 9800 and its Super C version. That said, if your patients or the types of procedure you perform dictate that you need a Super C, then you should contact the experts at Atlantis Worldwide. We’ll be happy to “super size” it for you!
Some blogs you may have missed:
- Free C-Arm Resources
- The ABC's of Purchasing C Arms
- 3 Siemens Arcadis C-Arms Compared: Varic, Avantic & Orbic
- How much does it cost to lease a C-Arm?
- Capture It All... with MediCapture
Meet the author: Alex Silbergleit
