If you are in the market for a CT Scanner, I am sure you might be considering one from the most popular brands.Looking for a CT Scanner that offers great quality, value and is very reliable? Understanding the value of different models on the secondary market depends on the slice count, the year the model was manufactured and some of the studies it can perform.
Your systems slice count will be one of the most important decisions when purchasing your CT Scanner. The slice count is the number of two dimensional anatomical cross sections captured in a rotation. These cross sections are used to create a three-dimensional image of the anatomy being scanned. Listed below are the most popular CT Scanners on the secondary market and their slice counts.
16-slice CT: Right now, this is the sweet spot for higher-use facilities, where patient flow is steady or reduced scan time is a priority. If you will be using the CT every day and have a fairly heavy patient load, this is probably the right one for you. It is a good fit in ERs and Urgent Care Centers, as well as Hospitals or high-volume imaging centers.
32 to 40-slice CT: These generally provide a longer coverage per gantry rotation than 16 slice scanners, which results in shorter examination times and reduced likelihood of motion artifacts.
64-Slice CT: These scanners are really necessary in the world of cardiac, trauma, or very high-volume critical care environments. The speed and sensitivity that comes with 64-slices allows for “freeze-frame” imaging, which minimizes the negative effects that heart and muscle motion have on picture quality. The high speed of the 64-slice CT is also helpful in trauma environments, where time is of the essence.
128-slice CT: This is most commonly found in cardiac or research institutions. It is the one of the latest generation in a line of CT scanners and it’s revolutionizing non-invasive diagnosis. This machine can scan the whole body in seconds and provide incredibly sharp 3D images of any organ.
Wide bore scanners have bigger gantry aperture and maximum reconstruction field-of-view when compared with conventional scanners. The number of slices offered is dependent on the manufacturer. These are generally purchased for radiotherapy planning, as they allow greater flexibility for positioning the patient in the treatment position. However, they may also be considered for other applications where the increased aperture and field-of-view are beneficial. For example, it would be ideal for imaging bariatric, trauma and intensive care patients.
If you’re in the market for a CT Scanner, remember that buying a used or refurbished CT Scanner can often deliver the technology you want at a lower price point. Talk to an industry expert like Atlantis Worldwide for more insights and information.
Follow Atlantis Worldwide on Twitter: @AtlantisLLC
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Meet the author: Vikki Harmonay
