It's a question we've heard from cath lab equipment and parts buyers over and over: "How long can I expect my cath lab's X-ray tube to last?" Some of the people asking have no point of reference for X-ray tube lifespans. Others wonder if they can compare their cath tube to the lifespan they see in their facility's CT tubes, measured in milliamp seconds or scan seconds. Unfortunately, most cath labs don’t track tube usage in the same way as other modalities, and there isn't a way to know for sure just when a tube will reach the end of its useful life. Still, through experience and awareness of tube usage, there are some rough averages that emerge.

The Philips Allura FD20 and FD10 may be similar in appearance at a glance, but they are very different machines in a number of ways. The main difference between them is the work they are used for. The FD10 is primarily a cardiac system. It does have some options that may allow for light peripheral work, but cardiac studies are what it was designed for. The FD20 was designed, when equipped with the appropriate software, to handle a much broader spectrum of applications, including (but not limited to): angio, cardiac, neuro, and vascular.

To keep you better informed about where each of these systems shines, we've compiled a short list of the most relevant similarities and differences between the FD10 and the FD20 below.

The Axiom Artis is one of the most prevalent product lines from Siemens in the interventional radiology category. One thing you’ll notice as you begin to look for information on the Axiom Artis is how many varieties it comes in: floor- mounted vs. ceiling-mounted vs. a combination of both, image intensifiers vs. detectors, single-plane vs. bi-plane. On top of that, there are numerous software configurations which will determine the kinds of studies each system is equipped to accommodate.

To denote the configuration of each system, Siemens has developed a "code" consisting of eight letters. With so many feature combinations, however, the code leaves you with a lot of acronyms and, perhaps, less clarity than the folks at Siemens might have hoped. We’ve decoded the acronyms below to assist anyone perusing Siemens interventional suites to better understand which system is the right fit.

Most of us expect to pay much less for something that is refurbished than something that is new. That's a perfectly reasonable expectation and one that holds as true for interventional imaging equipment as any product. With that expectation intact, the question becomes, "Exactly how much do I stand to save by buying a refurbished cath lab?" We believe there are two answers to this question: a dollar amount and an overall value.

Below, we'll share what dollar amount you can expect top save when you buy a refurbished cath lab versus a new one, as well as the additional value those savings create.

A common mistake we see in the cath lab planning and construction process is not accounting for the significant heat produced throughout the lab. When the heat produced by electronic equipment isn't properly dissipated, it can lead to damage. Our Service team has received many a call for system issues with excessively high temperatures at their root. The only solution: make sure your cath lab suite is equipped with proper cooling measures. 

We'll unpack what type of cooling you need in each area of your cath lab suite to prevent overheating that can cause damage to your system and downtime in your schedule.