The Genoray OSCAR 15 a new-generation, mobile fluoroscopy system that launched in 2018. The Genoray OSCAR 15 Mobile C-Arm X-ray product is designed to provide analog spot-film imaging and fluoroscopic image guidance for all adult and pediatric populations for orientations between patient anatomy and surgical instruments. Examples of clinical application may include cholangiography, endoscopy, urologic, orthopedic, neurologic, vascular, cardiac and critical care. The Genoray OSCAR 15 is based on the predicate device, ZEN-7000. The generator is similar to the Genoray ZEN-7000 with output power, 15 kW. Also, the X-ray tube of the OSCAR 15 is same with the Genoray ZEN-7000, which has been in the market for the last 20 years as a stable and reliable X-Ray tube. As part of the new-generation mobile C-ARM’s core technology, the Genoray OSCAR 15 integrated a highly-effective flat panel detector instead of a conventional image intensifier (I.I) and a CCD camera; therefore, the DQE of the OSCAR 15 is more effective and safer than its predicate device. Also, a flat panel detector type has excellent image uniformity, no geometric distortion, no veiling glare or igniting, and has a small, thin physical size compared to the Image Intensifier type.

The Genoray OSCAR 15 offers a large 11.8″ full flat-panel detector, a 15.0kW rotating anode X-ray tube, an active air cooling system (Most up-to-date cooling concept, enabling the increase of the tube cooling rate), a smaller focal spot, large tube capacity up to 300,000HU, faster cooling rate 63,640HU/min, and 1, 2, 4, 8,15 pulses per second available on pulsed fluoroscopic mode. The Genoray OSCAR 15 is the 2nd generation C-ARM system from Genoray, which is developed with improved stability and mechanical reliability based on thousands of installations globally. The biggest breakthrough with the Genoray OSCAR 15 is the integration of a high-quality 11.8″ flat panel detector, larger orbital rotation availability, and expanding clinical acceptability to vascular application. Thanks to the strong IT background of the Korean company, Genoray, the Genoray OSCAR 15 comes with 43″ color LED on articulated arm, 10.4″ full touch LCD with a preview function, and markets the largest storage capacity; up to 2 terabytes. The Genoray OSCAR 15 integrated a total image management solution, “ZENIS”, for image acquisition, storage, measurement/annotation (length, angle, and input and storage of line, arrow, characters), management (invert, rotation, zoom in/out, magnification, etc.), and communication. Particularly, DICOM 3.0 is a standard option; therefore, with largest storage capacity, the Genoray OSCAR 15 provides very convenient image management interface for hospitals and dedicated procedure clinics.

Having this large flat panel detector and an active air cooling high frequency generator at this price point is very unique. The Genoray OSCAR series embedded various proprietary technologies, which the old GE C-Arm systems are not able to provide, even with major upgrades. Particularly, to effectively control dose by users, the Genoray OSCAR series provides Low Dose Mode and Dose Structured Report as a standard. In addition, Virtual Collimator and Auto Collimation functions help reduce the amount of radiation exposure by limiting the X-Ray beam. The Auto Collimation prevents unnecessary X-ray exposure by focusing on the area of interest while automatically collimating the targeting area. The Smart View of Genoray OSCAR series enhances the work efficiency by providing the function of reviewing and storing images maximum 10 seconds before the last image. Providing distortion-free images based on the high quality flat panel detector differentiates the OSCAR 15 with the old generation II type C-arms in terms of image clarity point of view; moreover, the Genoray OSCAR series enhances the quality of diagnosis and ease of usefulness by providing state-of-art imaging technology such as Denoising, Edge Enhancement, Metal Correction, and Motion Correction.

The GE OEC C-Arm series is a mobile C-Arm market dominator for the last few decades; however, those systems selling in the market are 20 plus years used systems with old technologies and interfaces. There are new systems from GE, but due to the high price position of the new OEC Elite and OEC Elite CFD series (around 200,000 US dollars), physicians still like to purchase a refurbished mobile C-Arm. The price range varies between 50,000 to 150,000 US dollars depending on the system condition and quality of system refurbishment, and how many key components changed such as a battery, a monitor, and an X-ray tube. Also, the price becomes much different whether refurbished by GE itself or a third party ISO (Independent Service Organizations). In addition, the price of parts and repair is still very expensive and it is difficult to get parts to reduce the system down time. Hundreds units of the refurbished OEC 9800 are sold in the USA every year. However, more than 10 years of pre-owned medical equipment in tough clinical environments may have higher risks of problems on mechanical parts and lowered functionality on X-ray tubes and other generator and power supplies. Unless it’s covered by an expensive warranty through GE or ISO (Independent Service Organizations), the cost of repair will be extremely high.

Considering above situations, customers become more negative to choose an old and refurbished GE mobile C-Arm because of similar budget investment; there is a reasonable selection of mobile C-Arms with proprietary technologies and up-to-date user interfaces. The Genoray OSCAR 15 and ZEN-7000 are two of typical and good examples in the current market. The Genoray OSCAR 15 is very highly recommended with its distortion-free superior image quality and a large field of view of flat panel detector. It is integrated with a highly performable 15 kW X-ray rotating tube, which has proven reliability for the last 20 years on the ZEN-7000. The unprecedented long X-ray anode cooling rate with the OSCAR series’ unique active cooling system makes users highly satisfied whenever they require accurate diagnosis and further surgical and vascular procedures. None of the refurbished GE OEC systems can meet these standards. In addition, the OSCAR series does not charge for clinical application S/W as standard, and also, in order to take care of users from harm of over dose radiation without financial barriers, the OSCAR series provide, without any charge, “Low Dose Mode”, “Dose Structured Report”, “Virtual Collimator”, and “Auto Collimation”, which those features help a user enhance dose management. A user of the OSCAR series can enjoy enhanced workflow with a large, full touch screen with preview mode and large 155 degree orbital rotation angle. The system is lightweight. Positioning of the system is relatively easy with smooth maneuverability and wheeling, especially with its 155° wide orbital rotation to help a user have a smooth operation procedure without unlocking the wheel of the C-Arm. The OSCAR series is one of the most proprietary systems series on the market, and is built on very flexible and advanced S/W architecture, so features are highly customizable, storage is huge (up to 2 Terabytes), and system updates are very easy. Along with a large storage capacity and DICOM standard in the system, “ZENIS” a total image management system in the OSCAR series, enables image acquisition, storage, measurement/annotation (length, angle, and input and storage of line, arrow, characters), management (invert, rotation, zoom in/out, magnification, etc.), and communication.

In conclusion, the GE OEC series is still popular even though they are between 10 to 20 year- old used systems, but they are difficult to justify all the functionalities and the superiority against the Genoray OSCAR 15. The lifetime of C-Arms relatively long compared to other medical equipment, but still, the concept is acceptable when the system of a monitor and an X-ray tube are regularly changed to keep a certain standard of image quality. Generally, refurbished OEC series are offered with a limited warranty of one year or no warranty at all. If a customer wants to purchase a C-ARM for next 5 to 10 years, the customer must consider the maintenance cost and parts scarcity within 1 to 2 years. A very limited number of people still have a CRT monitor TV or a 2G flip phone; however, a large portion of physicians still buy pre-owned C-ARMs since an up-to-date and fully digital interface C-ARM is still too expensive. Considering this background, what if there is a brand-new CFD C-ARM with 2 to 5 years warranty, proven durability and quality in more than 300 clinical sites in the USA, and is inexpensive compared to the refurbished GE OEC series – don’t you need to consider the brand-new, affordable CFD C-ARM as your system for next 10 years?

• Generator
– 60kHZ high frequency
– 15kW power
– Up to 120kVp
– Up to 150mA for radiographic film exposure
– Continuous high level fluoro (HLF) up to 20mA
– Pulse high level fluoro (HLF) up to 50mA
– Digital snapshot mode up to 120kVp, 50mA
– Digital cine pulse
– 15 pulses per second, 60 Hz
– 15 pulses per second, 50 Hz
– Up to 50mA, 8 pulse mode is included.
– 14ms pulse width
– Full power from standard wall outlet
– Designed for plug and play, anywhere

• X-RAY Tube
– Rotating anode X-ray tube
– 0.3 and 0.6 nominal focal spots
– Anode heat capacity: 300,000 HU (225kJ)
– Anode cooling rate: 63,640 HU/min
– Housing heat capacity: 1,209,600 HU

• Collimator
– On-screen collimator position indication
– Auto collimation feature –> Preview on the LCD Preview Control Panel
– Virtual collimation, adjusting collimation without X-ray exposure.