Philips CTs: MX8000 vs Brilliance Scanners
When discussing 16 slice Philips CT scanners, the first distinction that must be made is which version are we talking about... the MX8000 IDT 16 or the Philips Brilliance 16? I’ll try to demystify the difference between the two and help you determine which one is best for your needs (or maybe even help identify which one you already own). The main reason for the confusion is simply that there are TWO names for THREE types of systems and there are pretty dramatic differences in their features and price.
MX8000 IDT 16 with Old Style Gantry
The first type is the MX8000 IDT 16, with the older style gantry (the V design). This scanner was generally manufactured through the end of 2003 and it is the same gantry that was used all the way back to the MX8000 Dual Slice Scanner (as early as 1998). This scanner will always be water cooled and it will have the Dura Akron Q tube (5.3 mhu). If it says “Brilliance” it will be in software only.
MX8000 IDT 16 that LOOKS Like a Brilliance
The second type of 16 Slice Philips CT is still the MX8000 IDT 16, but it LOOKS like the newer Brilliance scanner (with the Box style covers). Sometimes this scanner will actually say “Brilliance” on it, so it is confusing, but nearly ALL of the parts are interchangeable with the MX8000 IDT 16 described above. It is always water cooled and it will always have the Akron Q tube (5.3). Nearly 100% of this version were manufactured in 2004 (sort of a transition year to the true “Brilliance” we’ll discuss next).
Secret tip... if you STILL can’t tell which Philips 16 slice scanner you are looking at, investigate at the Serial Number. If it starts with a 3 (four digits) it is the water cooled version.
"True" Philips Brilliance 16
The Third type is the “true” Brilliance Scanner. “True” is more slang than anything else, but it is the most accurate way to describe the scanner. A true Brilliance 16 Slice CT scanner:
- has Box style covers
- has completely different hardware
- has MRC 600 ct tube (8.0 mhu)
- is Air Cooled
- and has a different generator type
Besides the covers, it is a completely different system. This style of Philips CT was not installed until 2005 and much of the same platform and technology are still being used on the 64 Slice scanners.
Secret tip... if you STILL can’t tell, investigate at the Serial Number. If it starts with a 5 (four digits) it is the air cooled, true Brilliance version.
Deciding Which 16 Slice Philips CT is Right For You...
Consider that a true Brilliance won’t require a chiller, so it has one less item to purchase, maintain, and find space for. However, the tubes are about twice the cost and the other parts can be more expensive too. This means that service costs are going to be higher. The true Brilliance is newer, so the initial purchase price will typically be higher, but it also has newer technology which may allow for higher patient throughput.
The Philips MX8000 IDT 16 Slice therefore will be a little less expensive to purchase and service, but a chiller will be needed. Generally speaking the IDT series will be the lowest cost option for a 16 Slice CT. But as they say, “It’s not about the money... it’s about the amount.”
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