surgeons zero in on small anatomical landmarks and display captured
images on large 4K monitors with advanced clarity. Surgeons can
review the high-resolution images without diverting their attention
from the patient. The ability of newer machines to capture intermit-
tent images instead of a continual stream of pictures lets surgeons
obtain usable views with the minimum effective radiation dose.
• Ease of use. Flat-panel image detectors let surgeons work with
more freedom of movement within the sterile field. The overall foot-
print of the latest C-arms is smaller, meaning the units take up less
valuable real estate in outpatient ORs, where more complex cases
requiring the advanced imaging technology are being performed.
Improved motorized mechanisms allow for pinpoint control when
maneuvering the C-arm into position. Smart anti-collision features
alert staff if the arm is in danger of coming into contact with the table
— or, worse, the patient — and shut down the unit if it's moved any
closer.
Mr. Jett says the latest C-arms have user-friendly touchscreen controls,
which make programing settings during set-up between cases as intu-
itive as calling up a Netflix show on your tablet. He points out that
anatomic- and procedure-specific profiles let you calibrate C-arms for
cases with the push of a button. The profiles change the entire scale of
the captured images and adjust contrast brightness to optimize the unit
for abdominal, pediatric or extremity surgeries. The settings also auto-
matically adjust the radiation dose, differentiating between the amount
needed to capture images during extremity surgeries and major spine
procedures.
Mr. Jett points to "position save and recall" features as key recent
advances in C-arm design. "Surgeons can set the arm to an exact posi-
tion, save the position and return the arm to within a few millimeters
of it with the push of a button at any time during the procedure," he
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