How to Replace the X-Ray Tube on an OEC 9800
Gary Strpko: December 17, 2024
Mini C-arms are a pretty important piece of medical imaging equipment, what with all the wildly swinging hammers, carelessly slammed doors, and extremely droppable bowling balls out there. Extremities experts rely on their mini Cs to look at all those tiny, smashable carpals and tarsals and cuboids, so when it comes time to purchase one it’s critical that they know the pertinent details of each model they consider.
In response to this need, we’ve put together another of our handy side-by-side C-arm comparisons to help get all that info out there. Take a look:
OEC Mini C-Arms Feature-by-Feature
OEC 6600 |
OEC 6800 |
| 512 x 512 resolution | 1k x 1k resolution |
| standard CRT monitors | touchscreen CRT monitors |
| parts compatibility with OEC 9600 | parts compatibility with OEC 9800 |
| last image hold | last image hold |
| clinical and hospital platform | clinical and hospital platform |
| edge enhancement | edge enhancement |
| 64-400 image storage | 64-400 image storage |
| requires external DICOM accessory | option available for onboard DICOM |
| no option for built in laser aimer | has option for built in laser aimer |
| power: 40-80 kVp | power: 40-80 kVp |
| 3.5 floppy drive | 3.5 floppy or CD drive |
| 27" x 27" footprint | 27" x 27" footprint |
Aside from all the information above, there are still a couple of other facts that bear mentioning:
- The OEC 6600 is much more affordable than the OEC 6800.
- The OEC 6600 had three different II modes over the course of its production: 4" single mode, 6" single mode, and 6" dual mode, the latter offering the most flexibility in collimation. This is why the OEC 6800 was released only with 6" dual mode.
- The OEC 6600 has been deemed “End of Life” by OEC, however, spare parts for this system are readily available on the secondhand market and there is also a fairly high degree of crossover with parts from the 9600 that can help maintain one of these minis.
- OEC no longer produces any mini C-arms. The 6800 is their most recent model. There is currently no news to suggest the release of a newer mini C.
If the specs above aren’t enough to help you make your decision, our C-arm team can tell you more. We’re happy to help the orthopedic and podiatric communities keep our hands swinging those hammers and our feet stepping up to line to throw that next strike.
