How to Replace the X-Ray Tube on an OEC 9800
Gary Strpko: December 17, 2024
In 2012, 37 baseball cards were discovered in an Ohio attic, untouched for 100 years. They fetched over $500,000 at auction and made an Ohio family very happy. Like anyone who doesn’t deal in baseball cards every day they went through a process whereby, 1) they thought they had something of value 2) they had the cards expertly graded and 3) they consulted a company who specialized in sports memorabilia to handle the sale. Every step in that process is important. It still pains me to remember that I traded my entire baseball card collection about 30 years ago and got very little in return. I don’t really want to talk about that...
But if you are considering trading your GE MRI system back to the OEM or perhaps listing it on DotMed or throwing it open to the highest bidder at auction, stop! Do you really know what you have? Do you know the features that most buyers around the world value? Do you know the best way to take it to potential sellers? Block Imaging has bought and sold hundreds of MRIs over the last 20 years and we’d like to share a few things that you might want to note before you list your system for sale. The good news? There are fewer value drivers than you might think.
Four Things to Know Before You Sell Your GE MRI
What Magnet Type Does It Have?
What type of magnet does your GE MRI have? If you don’t know, don’t worry – first look to see if it's round or square. If it's square, you’re most likely looking at scrap metal, but if it's round, you at least have technology that’s still in use. It's that simple – the round magnet is a CXK4 and, as such, your GE MRI has value on the secondary market. If it's square, then read on. The rest of the electronics might have some value!
Which Gradient Type Does It Have?
Gradients remain a key value driver for MRI systems. GE makes these relatively easy to identify as they describe their systems as Smartspeed, HiSpeed, and Echospeed (and Twinspeed as well). If you know which one of these packages you have, that’s great! Hint: it's usually found in the original quote that GE gave you when they first sold the system. Gradients are rarely upgraded and it's very likely you still have the same set-up. If you don’t know and/or can’t find the original quote, just look at the label on the gradient cabinet itself. There are three gradient types that have solid value right now: ACGD, HFD, XGD. If you have two cabinets it's either a Twinspeed, which is "ok" or you have a GRAM cabinet which is quite old.
How Many RF Channels Does It Have?
RF receiver channels listen for the signal and the more receiver channels there are the more clarity you'll have. EXCITE HD (12X) systems will have up to 8 channels, HDXT systems can be 8 or 16 channel and MR450W systems can be up to 32 channels.What’s the Software Level?
GE is easy: if it's 8.3 or lower, the value is going to be, well, lower. The other levels and their “GE platform” are as follows. Each software revision carries associated upgrades that drive the value up as the numbers go up (in the neighborhood of $50K per step).
9.1 LX- Usually 15 years or older, this can still have value, but most customers are upgrading from this platform or already have.
10 EXCITE- This was a transitional step to the EXCITE platform. You likely won’t have this one.
11 EXCITE II- the true beginning of the EXCITE platform, typically associated with 4-channel coils.
12 EXCITE HD- These are ALWAYS 8 channel systems and the high-definition platform has become just about the minimum for most customers these days.
13 EXCITE HDi- These are very rare.
14 EXCITE HDX- Many of these have been upgraded to HDXT, but they are still a high-value GE MRI.
14 EXCITE HDe- Most commonly seen in Asian markets, these have fewer features, a smaller footprint, and a 50 slew rate.
15/16 EXCITE HDXT- This is one of the highest-valued GE MRI on the secondary market. Many have 16-channel coils, most notably the 16-channel head, neck, and spine unit. If you have one, you’ll know it – they are big!
23X EXCITE HDXT- These are still recent enough to be somewhat rare on the secondary market. If you have one, a strong sale price is a pretty safe bet.
25X Optima 450W- A 25X system is the highest software level you'll find among used systems.
The Takeaway
Giving the basics above will allow a seller to assign a value range to your GE MRI and get to work on placing it in a new and loving home. You'll also need to compile a coil list and be sure to include which (if any) are 8 or 16-channel. This will allow for an even more accurate value.
And here’s an interesting note: the Grandfather in Ohio who originally owned those baseball cards- he actually GAVE AWAY most of his collection along with beef sales at his meat market and just stashed the extras away. Don’t be that grandfather and leave value on the table – click the button below and let us help you. We do this every day and even if we can’t buy it, we’ll be happy to get you a value estimate.
