SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BLOGAre you getting the most out of your new CT scan machine?
CT Scanners are an essential part of any healthcare facility that costs tons of money. Given the need of the hour, it is important to switch to the latest technology on-board for delivering an exceptional experience to the patients.
Choosing the right CT scanner can be a cumbersome task if you are upgrading from an old one, starting a new facility, or other. You may not possess industrial knowledge of such pieces of machinery and hence can lack somewhere while making a deal on the same.
Whatever may be the requirement for your search for a new CT scanner, it is important to do your homework about it.
To help you with the same, we have prepared a checklist for you so that you won’t miss an eye on any crucial factor required in a CT scanner.
Slice Count
CT scan machines are available in 16, 32, 40, 64, and 128 slices. From the very old 4 and 8 slices to the latest, 256 and 320-slice CT scanners, all can be seen in the market. With so much on the plate, it’s obvious to get lured to better technology, but it is advisable to stick to your requirement.
Slice count directly impacts the time consumed to perform a CT scan. With a reduced scan, the time comes lower radiation doses, detailed images with fewer artifacts, advanced imaging options, and more.
You need to understand the higher the slice count, the more is the price of the CT scan machine. So, if you use a CT scan machine just for the routine purpose, it is not worth it to invest a huge sum of money in a higher slice count CT scan machine. Consider what’s best for you and then decide which CT Scanner Slice is perfect for you.
Image resolution
Based on your practice, the image resolution necessity will come your way. If you are a healthcare professional that needs to analyze the detailed images of smaller anatomical structures, you need to look out for a good resolution in your CT scanner.
To check the same, spatial resolution is looked on. Most CT Scanners have a spatial resolution of 0.50. Although, big companies like Toshiba have got a spatial resolution of 0.25 in images from a prototype scanner.
There is a major difference in a spatial resolution of 0.25 and that of 0.50. With a 0.25 resolution, individual stent struts can be seen easily. With a 0.50 resolution image, a blurry image of the stent in a vessel can be seen by the radiologists.
So, this is how image resolution can excel or lower the quality of patient examination. Based on your practice, you can lookout for the best option available for you.
Radiation exposure
The increased use of medical imaging can cause effects on patients given to the high radiation exposure they receive from the same. A CT scan, in particular, has caused many cases of radiation poisoning and doses due to excessive radiation exposure during scans.
Although, advancements in technology are being made continuously to make CT scan machine a safer technology. Among all the CT scans, Cardiac CT exams have the highest radiation dose of 15 millisieverts (mSv) or higher. With the use of the latest equipment on board, these scans can be performed with doses of 1 mSv or less in some patients.
It is vital to choose a CT scan machine to which the patient possesses no threat from the point of view of safety. It will bestow you as a responsible healthcare facility or professional in the industry.
Image quality
Image quality in a CT scan machine is not only needed for proper examination but also to have a fast, efficient workflow. At the end of the day, the number of patients you got covered for a scan will matter. High-quality Imaging can get the work done in 10-15 minutes per patient, thus enhancing the speed of the work procedure.
Other factors
- Make sure to check the sensitivity of the detector while capturing the photons. The efficiency of the detectors will directly impact the dose required to create diagnostic-quality images.
- Iterative reconstruction software is another parameter to give attention to evaluate new scanners, how it works and what kind of iterative software comes with the CT scanner.
- Workstations are an important aspect to consider with your new CT scan machine. Question the vendor if the workstation is powerful enough to handle the workload of quickly processing thousands of images.
With these parameters to get started with, you can rest assured of making the best deal on a new CT scan machine for your facility. Get started with your shopping for a new CT scanner!
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