When you’re looking for a C-Arm there are the tried-and-true models like the OEC-9800 and the relative newcomers, like the ZEN-7000. Both are high-end workhorses that can be an asset to any clinic—supporting your best-in-class patient care. But if you’re looking to choose between them, let’s dive into the specifications and see what’s there.
X-Ray Generator
These two machines are nearly identical. The power of the tube makes imaging larger patients or oblique angles easier than lower-powered machines. The rotating anode facilitates longer, more complex procedures. Variable pulse rates allow for fine control of radiation dose.
Detector
Again, they’re nearly identical. The Zen-7000 has a higher recorded frame per second rate which is particularly useful in neurologic and cardiac studies. Thirty FPS gives fluid motion. For regular angiography or vascular work, 15 FPS is sufficient, though the video won’t have the same fluid motion.
Physical Specifications
The ZEN-7000 has larger monitors, making detail more easily visible. It also has greater arc depth and orbital rotation than the standard OEC-9800 facilitating imaging of difficult anatomy or oblique views, though the 9800 Super-C edges out the 7000.
Additional Features
The ZEN-7000’s standard networking and DICOM, not to mention having over 10,000 times the image storage capacity of the OEC-9800 give the 7000 a substantial advantage. Add to that the fact that the ZEN-7000 is still in production and sports a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty plus remote diagnostic support, and the choice may seem clear.
Bottom Line
Which machine you choose depends on the types of procedures performed in your facility, how busy your facility is, your initial purchase budget, and your ongoing maintenance and inspection budget. If you’re in a busy facility doing mostly neurological and cardiac studies and budget isn’t a concern, then the ZEN-7000 seems a clear winner.
If like most facilities, your caseload varies, you’re doing a variety of studies, and your budget isn’t unlimited, the OEC-9800 deserves a good, hard look. Since it’s available refurbished, your acquisition costs will be lower. The market penetration of the OEC brand facilitates lower ongoing costs because parts are widely available and you have an abundance of service companies and engineers who know the 9800 well.
If you would like more information, please contact us. Our nationwide network of dealers and service facilities means we can refer you to someone in your area who can answer your questions.