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,
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!
Meet the author: Alex Silbergleit