A Comparison of 3 Different C-arms Made by Philips

Many manufacturers are continually developing and improving their C-arms. In this article, we will be comparing 3 different C-arms manufactured by Philips: the Libra, Veradius, and Pulsera.

Philips Libra

The Philips Libra is a compact C-arm which is useful for smaller and less intensive surgical procedures.

• Among the 3 different C-arms, the Libra is probably the cheapest.
• The Libra uses a 9” triple mode image intensifier.
• Can store up to 1,000 images.
• The Libra has a stationary anode with a heat capacity of 50,000 HU and the x-ray tube has a heat capacity of 1,200,000 HU which is on the lower end of the spectrum.
• The Libra has low power compared to the other C-arm models; the maximum power for the Libra is 3.15 kilowatts.  

Due to these specs, the Libra won’t be very useful for procedures requiring prolonged high power usage.

Philips Pulsera

The Philips Pulsera is a full-sized C-arm that can be used all day for surgical procedures requiring high power.

• The Pulsera uses a 9” or 12” tri-mode image intensifier.
• Can store up to 10,000 images internally.
• The Pulsera has a maximum power of 7.5 kilowatts which is double that of the Libra but it doesn’t quite beat the Veradius.
• The Pulsera boasts an upgraded heat capacity compared to the Libra, as the Pulsera has a rotating anode with a heat capacity of 300,000 HU and the x-ray tube has a heat capacity of 1,900,000 HU.

Philips Veradius

The Philips Veradius probably has the best specs out of the three C-arm models mentioned in this article.

• This C-arm uses a flat panel detector called the trixell amorphous silicon detector. Whilst the Libra and Pulsera both use image intensifiers instead. The flat detector gives the technician more room to maneuver during surgery and the ability to see and communicate with the other colleagues in the workspace more efficiently. 
• Similarly to the Pulsera, the Veradius has a rotating anode with a high heat capacity of 300,000 HU and the x-ray tube has a heat capacity of 1,900,000 HU. These specs make it highly unlikely that the Pulsera or the Veradius will overheat during prolonged usage.
• The Veradius functions at high power with a maximum power of 15 kilowatts (nearly 5 times more power than the Libra). The enhanced power allows the Veradius to produce high-quality images.
• The Veradius is a full-sized C-arm; it is definitely not lightweight as it weighs 65 kg more than the Libra. 
• Apparently, the Veradius can store up to 20,000 images internally (this is way more than the Pulsera and Libra).

As you can see, there are a variety of C-arms available to meet your specific needs. The Libra would be great for a small room due to its compact nature, the other two C-arms may not be suitable for that. The Pulsera and Veradius are powerhouses well suited to procedures needing high power for extended periods of time.

Go to https://www.philips.co.uk/healthcare/solutions/mobile-c-arms to find out more.