GE OEC 9600 C-arm

Imaging Mode

• Fluoroscopy Mode

– Focal spot: 0.3 mm
– kVp range: 40 – 120 kVp
– mA range: 0.2 – 0.5 mA normal mode
– mA range: 1.0 – 12.0 mA continuous fluoro boost mode
– Auto and manual modes
– Continuous, one-shot or pulsed operation
– ABS varies mA, kVp and camera gain
– User specific ABS tables

• Pulsed Fluoroscopy Mode

– Focal spot: 0.3 mm
– kVp range: 40 – 120 kVp
– mA range: 0.2 – 5.0 mA
– Pulse rate: 1, 2, 4, or 8 pulses per second
– Pulse width: 30 or 50 milliseconds
– Computer controlled ABS, mA, kVp and camera gain

• High Level Pulsed Fluoro (optional)

– Focal spot: 0.3 mm
– kVp range: 40 – 120 kVp
– mA range: 0.2 – 40.0 mA
– Pulse rate: 1, 2, 4, or 8 pulses per second
– Pulse width: 30 or 50 milliseconds
– Computer controlled ABS, mA, kVp and camera gain

• Digital Spot Mode (optional)

– Standard with the Expanded Surgical Platform (ESP)
– Enhanced digital fluorographic oneshot with 12 mA boost
– Automatically terminates exposure and stores enhanced image to 200 image storage archival disk
– kVp range: 40 – 120 kVp
– mA range: Up to 75 mA

• Radiographic Mode

– Focal spot: 0.3 mm or 0.6 mm
– Focal spot automatically selected
– 0.3 mm – mAs range: 1 – 100 mAs
– 0.6 mm – mAs range: 110 – 300 mAs
– kVp range: 50 – 120 kVp
– Optional film cassette holder
– 10″ x 12″ (24cm x 30cm) for 9″ I.I.
– 14″ x 14″ (35cm x 35 cm) for 12″ I.I.

Acquisition & Optimization

• Video Camera

– High resolution CCD camera
– Full frame capture
– 360° motorized rotation
– On-screen orientation indicator (realtime feedback without fluoro)
– Left-right image reversal
– Top-bottom image reversal
– Negative mode
– Video signal: Standard RS 170A 60 Hz, 525 lines
– Aspect ratio: 4:3

• Image Intensifier

– 9″ Image Intensifier
– Tri-mode 9″/6″/4.5″ (23cm/15cm/11cm) image intensifier
– 12″ Image Intensifier
– Tri-mode 12″/9″/6″ (31cm/23cm/15cm) image intensifier

Clinical Software Options

• GSP – General Surgical Package
• ESP – Expanded Surgical Package (optional 8 Frames Per Sec)
• Vascular Package ( 8/15 Frames Per Sec)
• Neuro Vascular Package (30 Frames Per Sec) – with MTS(Motion Tolerant Subtraction)
• Cardiac Package (30 Frames Per Sec)

Dimension

• C-Arm(9″ I.I.) Dimensions:

– Height: 68 in (1730 mm)
– Width: 33 in (840 mm)
– Length: 76 in (1930 mm)
– Weight: 720 lbs (327kg)

• Workstation Dimensions:

– Height: 64 in (1630 mm)
– Width: 27 in (690 mm)
– Depth: 27 in (690 mm)
– Weight: 430lbs (195kg)

Additional Features

• User Interface

– Entire system is computer controlled and software upgradeable
– Multi-functional controls
– Footswitch, IR remote (Optional), Hand-hel control
– Remote window/level controls (optional)
– 4 image storage with last image hold 640 x 512 x 10 biy
– Frame averaging (low, medium, high)
– One-short frame integration (low, medium, high)
– Enhanced integration (low, medium, high)
– MARS (motion artifact reduction)
– Patient annotation keyboard

GE OEC 9600 Features

AutoTrak is the function that automatically seeks the subject anatomy anywhere within the imaging field and selects optimal imaging. It automatically adjusts to anatomical size and location.

Automatic Brightness Stabilization (ABS) provides uniform image quality throughout the entire image. Unlike a CFD C-ARM, an II type C-ARM by nature has imaging distortion and brightness uniformity issues. These problems worsen it gets closer to the edge.
Smart Window is the function that dynamically senses the collimator position and automatically adjusts brightness and contrast to produce high image quality.

Smart Metal enables users to adjust the automatic brightness and contrast sensitivity levels when metal is introduced to the field.

Tungsten Collimator is the function that denser collimator limits X-ray exposure area to reduce scatter radiation, which improves image detail.

GE OEC 9600 C-arm Review

This review was written by an Ultrasound Supply (or Probo Medical) employee.

The GE OEC 9600 C-arm in the current refurbished market is more than 20-30 years old. Due to its age, most of the key components, such as the X-ray tube, CRT monitor, and battery, should be changed at least once. Also, if the OEC 9600 has remained in a high-volume clinical environment for a long period of time, the mechanical apparatus on the C-arm’s side and components at the workstation side will most likely need repairs or replacing. Nevertheless, the higher price range of the newer OEC Brivo C-arm, which provides half of the power capacity of the GE OEC 9600, can sell for around $100,000 US. The GE OEC Brivo, which has a 2kW generating power supply, is in a higher price range that’s difficult to justify for many practitioners for that large of an investment for an alternative diagnostic or procedure tool. By comparison, a refurbished GE OEC 9600 C-arm system can sell for around $25,000 US. The GE OEC 9600 was manufactured in a short period of time from 1994 to 1999. Therefore, a limited number of these C-arms have been installed. However, GE’s OEC C-arm series is still popular in the market, so if a customer is not able to buy a new GE OEC series model, a refurbished C-arm is an appealing option. One caveat is the fact is that buyers of refurbished OEC C-arms may face difficulty to find replacement parts in the limited resale market. The price of OEC 9600 parts and repairs can also be expensive and time-consuming.

One of the major strengths of having the GE OEC 9600 is that this system is clinically proven to provide extended imaging modes (Fluoro Mode, Pulsed Fluoro Mode, High-Level Pulsed Fluoro, Digital Cine Pulse Mode, Digital Spot Mode, and Radiographic Mode) and clinical packages, similar to current, top-selling C-arm systems competitors. However, the 4kW generator power of the OEC 9600 is limited in most examinations unless the physician uses the C-arm only for surgical procedures or pain management in short periods a few times a day. There is a risk that the C-arm will overheat even though the GE OEC 9600 is equipped with a rotating X-ray tube, which prolongs its cooling rate. The steering mechanism of the GE OEC 9600 is exactly the same as that of the GE OEC 9800. Positioning the system is relatively easy thanks to its smooth maneuverability and wheeling, however, its 115° limited orbital rotation can be an inconvenience when operating the system.

A refurbished GE OEC 9600 is an affordable and acceptable C-arm system like other older GE OEC series models; there wasn’t an alternative C-arm system within a reasonable price or quality with the same 4kW generator grade until 2013. A new 2kW capacity GE OEC Brivo might be an alternative to the GE OEC 9600, but the generating power of the OEC Brivo is not adequate enough to cover certain clinical applications, such as vascular uses. Consequently, the price of the GE OEC Brivo often fails to justify a physicians’ large investment for a lower capacity C-arm. Generally, refurbished OEC series C-arms come with a limited warranty, either one year or no warranty at all. If you’re looking to purchase a C-arm for the next 5 to 10 years, Keep in mind the maintenance cost and parts scarcity. That said, a large portion of physicians still buy pre-owned C-arms because an up-to-date and fully digital interfaced system is still too expensive. Considering all the above, a GE OEC 9600 C-arm, despite some limitations for parts replacements and maintenance, is an affordable solution for physicians who perform general surgery as well as musculoskeletal and certain vascular procedures.