If you’ve been using the same surgical C-arms for a number of years, you could be missing out on the latest technology that’s improving workflows, addressing the ergonomics of providers, and so much more.
Join us as we look at the latest developments you may have missed in the C-arm world over the past couple of years.
Self-Driving Capabilities
Have you ever wondered about the possibility of a C-arm that can drive itself?
Siemens Healthineers has developed a self-driving and park assist 3D C-arm system. The system has a motorized chassis featuring holonomic wheels that mimic floating-like movements.
The system, called the CIARTIC Move, effectively reduces time, effort and workforce capacity for a short-staffed and overworked team.
Most C-arm machines tend to weigh between 500-900 pounds, making it difficult to move them around safely. With Position Assist, CIARTIC Move can recall up to 12 previously set positions at any time; with a remote control, users can adjust positions even from inside the sterile field. This removes a burden on technicians who would previously do so manually, and it lowers their risk of musculoskeletal injury. The system also has active sensing technology that offers collision protection for extra safety.
CIARTIC Move also faces another worldwide healthcare battle head-on: staffing shortages. With touch-sense handles and detectors, the system can be smoothly transported by a single person. With this feature, surgeons can continue performing even when specialized imaging personnel are not available, reducing the risk of postponing procedures.
The first U.S. installation of CIARTIC Move was completed at Tahoe Forest Health System in Truckee, CA, and its popularity is only rising from there as the technology catches on.
Radiation Safety
While traditional radiation protection is crucial, it’s not practical. Lead aprons are heavy and offer only partial coverage.
Radiaction Medical has introduced a new device to help tackle this problem: Radiaction, a shielding system that addresses radiation at the source and effectively reduces over 90% of scatter radiation to an entire room, providing protection to everyone on the team. Cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the device surpasses current lead shields with up to 97% protection to the head, neck and face.
The robotic Radiaction Shielding System (RSS) attaches to Siemens Artis C-arms without interfering with their performance, maneuverability, power or imaging qualities. With the push of a button, the RSS assembles into a barrier between the patient and team in 2 to 3 seconds. To support patients of all sizes and access needs, the RSS has a hover mode that allows for table X-Y panning without compromising safety.
In a recent study evaluating the efficiency of the RSS, researchers conducted a controlled study in an electrophysiologic (EP) laboratory during ablations and cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) procedures. Radiation sensors were placed in the catheterization lab, and measurements were normalized by the Dose Area Product at the end of each procedure.
55 procedures were conducted with the RSS, and 54 were conducted without the RSS. The results proved that the RSS provided full-body protection with significant reductions in radiation throughout the procedure room. It reduced scatter radiation during EP and CIED procedures without an increase in operation time.
Radiaction Medical recently announced the formation of its U.S. Medical Advisory Board to provide counsel and expertise toward the RSS and future radiation protection devices, so stay tuned for even more exciting developments in this space.
Smarter Imaging and Premier Engineering
Surgeons benefit from crystal-clear images that give them the information they need to perform with confidence. C-arm imaging has come a long way since its introduction in 1955, when image intensifiers weren’t an existing resource and doctors spent several minutes in the dark to analyze X-rays.
Today’s providers have strong toolkits, but they continue to look ahead for new features that can improve clinical outcomes.
The Intelligent Dose Efficiency Algorithm (IDEAL), available in Siemens Healthineers’s Cios Select, automatically adjusts image brightness and contrast in real-time while optimizing radiation dose. This is a win-win for patients and providers in which radiation exposure is controlled and there’s less need for repetitive scans.
Another big differentiating feature in the Cios family is the Retina Imaging Chain with CMOS technology, which detects motion, enhances edges and optimizes visualization for improved depiction of surrounding tissue.
Watch the video below to learn more about the feature’s operation with the Cios Flow Mobile C-arm.
In addition, the C-arm system has a green laser positioning system where different skin tones are highly visible even under bright surgical lights.
User-Centered Controls for Everyday Use
In the operating room (OR), surgeons must work to near perfection in a timely manner. Wireless footswitches are a great solution to simplifying operations with flexible placement throughout the OR, improving infection control and easy cleaning. Better yet, long-lasting batteries eliminate the need for special service calls, helpful to teams who are short-staffed, thus improving OR efficiencies.
For an even smoother workflow, intuitive control panels enable easy navigation with clearly labeled pictograms and grouped buttons.
Watch how the Cios Select’s panel, inspired by tablet and smartphone-like gestures, lets users quickly manipulate an image by rotating, flipping and adjusting with one finger.
While premium features are deeply appreciated, the true power lies in the longevity of any given system. Hospitals need long-term investments that they can rely on. Thanks to the Cios Select’s robust engineering, Siemens reported a 99.8% system uptime across more than 10,000 units used worldwide. This comes after each system undergoes rigorous in-house testing of over 441,000 cycles before arriving at a facility.
Cybersecurity
Around 83% of imaging devices are still running with outdated operating systems; running on older software in this way increases a machine’s vulnerability to hackers and threats. Ransomware attacks, data breaches due to unsecured servers, insider threats and distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks are all instances in which sensitive patient data and the viability of the system itself is at risk.
The 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack was an unfortunate wake-up call for healthcare systems around the world. Originating in the United Kingdom (UK), the cyber-attack affected more than 60 trusts within the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and spread to more than 200,000 computer systems across 150 countries.
As a result, many facilities could not access patient records, leading to cancelled appointments and redirecting ambulances to other hospitals. The NHS came under scrutiny for allegedly failing to take adequate precautions, such as investing in up-to-date technology and cybersecurity infrastructure.
A key vulnerability was the NHS’s reliance on outdated Windows operating systems, where some were more than 15 years old and no longer supported by Microsoft. The ransomware seeped into systems via malicious email links or attachments, encrypting data and demanding payment for their release, ultimately paralyzing hospital operations.
The Cios Flow and other modern systems protect users from cyberattacks and secure personal data head-on with advanced safeguards. On the Cios Flow, these safeguards include:
- Application Whitelisting
A security method where system administrators restrict unauthorized applications to protect your imaging system.
- Access and User Management
Defining rights for different user groups to prevent unauthorized access.
- Data Encryption
With BitLocker, a disk encryption feature, protect patient data against theft.
- Audit Trail
Track important configuration changes for improved transparency.
Ensure all your systems are equipped with the latest security features and software protections, because staying up to date isn’t just best practice; it’s essential.
The Future of C-Arm Training
As C-arm technology advances, its role in surgical training is becoming more immersive. It’s only fitting that next-generation systems are being developed with features that support both education and clinical precision.
Rising trends in radiologic technology include:
- Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR)
Integrating C-arm visuals into simulated environments gives students the opportunity to practice procedures with life-like anatomical models. Through safe, controlled settings, students can refine their skills without posing a risk to themselves or others. Better yet, trainees can have accidents in the practice room, as creating them in the OR can lead to critical or fatal outcomes.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI is here to stay. Learning AI tools and software should be a priority for all surgeons and members of the surgery team. Technologists and specialists familiar with AI tools are in high demand due to hospitals’ current interest in these innovative solutions. AI can help in diagnostic accuracy, identify early signs of disease and manage radiation dosage, and highly trained techs will always be needed to confirm those findings.
Stay Curious and Keep Exploring
Healthcare updates surrounding equipment, software, resources, regulations and more are changing and advancing every day. Staying informed is helpful, but being competitive, compliant and prepared is even better. If you need guidance, Cassling is ready to help. Reach out today to learn more about our equipment and services.
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