Your Guide to Medical Imaging Equipment

The Copley 274 gradient amplifier is used with the Philips Intera 1.5T MRI scanner. Inside the gradient cabinet are three parts that most Intera users will find themselves replacing at one point or another.

• Gradient Module
• Gradient power supply
• Gradient controller

If you're reading this and you have an Intera, I'd be willing to bet a modest sum of American dollars (or, perhaps, Malaysian Ringgits) the next two questions you have are: "How often do I need to replace these?" AND "How much will it cost?"

Read on to find out just what you can expect from your Copley gradient components.

The image intensifier (II) is a core part of most OEC C-arms (with the exception of only the newest FPD model). If you are an OEC user, then you're familiar with how essential the II is. Just as important as the II is to the overall C-arm, is the II's power supply to it's function. The II power supply provides the II with the power it needs to amplify the light signal produced by the X-ray conversion process. It also modulates the intensity of this power to balance the sizing, focus, and edge focus of each of the II’s magnification modes. 

It's a common assumption that when you purchase an II it comes with a power supply. This is not true- the II power supply is its own FRU (field replacement unit) part and needs to be purchased separately. Because this part is so important to the II, we’ve provided some stats to help you know what to expect when replacing your OEC image intensifier power supply.

So, you're running your GE CT and you start hearing a rattle, a jitter, or a knock. It never made that sound before, and you're pretty sure it shouldn't make that sound at all. Why is it doing that?

With so many moving parts, there are a few things that can create a similar sound inside the gantry of a GE CT scanner, however, one of the most common for is the axial encoder. Keep reading to learn what you should do to solve the problem.

When GE developed their Senographe 2000D mammography system and their XR/d X-ray room, they partnered with Silicon Valley's Sun Microsystems (acquired in 2010 by Oracle) to provide workstations for both machines. The particular workstation in both of these cases was the Sun Ultra 10.

The Ultra 10 is a reliable platform but, just like any computer slogging through the day-in/day-out of a crowded patient schedule, there comes a point where a replacement will be necessary. 

Below, we'll break down the different types of Ultra 10 workstations, what causes them to fail, and the solution when you experience workstation failure on your 2000D or XR/d.