siemens mobile CT unit

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Easy Guide to CT Scanners

Catalina Imaging

Mobile Imaging Solutions

Computerized tomography scanners or CT scanners have many uses, but they are particularly well-suited for patients with internal injuries or other types of trauma that require a quick examination. However, they also prove useful in diagnosing diseases, detecting “hidden” injuries, and planning a medical, radiation or surgical procedure. 

 

A CT scan combines a series of X-ray images derived from different angles of the body to create multiple cross-section images of the blood vessels, bones and soft tissues. As a result, it provides a more detailed and accurate depiction of the body compared to ordinary X-rays. 

 

Choosing a CT scan brand based on slice count

After about a decade of use, most hospitals and other medical facilities seek to replace their CT scanners, usually with a model that offers more “slice count,” which is closely related to the image quality.  

 

However, models with a higher slice count do not necessarily mean a better option since costs [versus benefits] are considered when making a switch. For example, veterinarian clinics and radiology departments that handle a very limited number of non-emergency patients will have no problem with 4- and 8-slice CT scanners. 

 

By contrast, top-notch scanners (i.e., those with 128-380 slices) are generally reserved for facilities that perform whole-body scans in seconds. Thanks to their incredibly high slice counts, they provide sharp three-dimensional images of any organ, including the heart and vascular system that low slice count CT scanners may find difficult to scan. 

 

Despite the incredibly sharp images of 128-380 CT scanners, they are generally considered excessive in a standard clinical setting, which fairs better with just a 64-slice CT scan that provides accurate images quickly without being too expensive. 

 

As of this writing, the 64-slice CT scanners are the standard models for hospitals and imaging centers with moderate to high patient numbers. Not only can they reduce scan times, but they are also enough for more advanced studies, such as cardiac, although they still require a bit of slowing of the heart rate to get sharp images. 

 

The cost of CT scanners 

Catalina Imaging, one of the leading mobile CT rental companies in the US, explains the factors influencing the price of a CT scanner.

  • Workstation
  • Warranty
  • Installation
  • Injector 
  • Age
  • CT X-ray tube and its tube content
  • Brand 

 

To accommodate the varying needs of hospitals and clinics, Catalina Imaging offers three CT scan brands, namely, GE Mobile CT, Toshiba Mobile CT, and Siemens Mobile CT. These tech companies are known for their innovative products that have revolutionized the way medical imaging procedures are performed. 

 

Best CT Scanners For Your Needs

In a nutshell, the best CT scanners are based on your clinical setting and your patients’ needs. Today’s models can all perform general imaging procedures, such as scanning the internal abdominal organs like the kidneys and liver. 

 

Nevertheless, the cardiac relies on higher slice counts to come up with sufficient image quality. 

 

To learn more about the “ideal” CT scan models and brands for your hospital or clinic, or if you need a reliable provider of mobile CT scanners for your clinical setting, contact Catalina Imaging at info@catalinaimaging.com or (844) 949-1664.

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