CT Tube Lifespan: Akron B and Akron Q

If your facility uses or is considering a Siemens or Philips water-cooled CT scanner, you should note that these systems are equipped with one of two kinds of Akron X-ray tubes; the Akron B or the Akron Q.

Scanners using the Akron B:

• Siemens Volume Access
• Siemens Volume Zoom
• Siemens Sensation 4
• Philips MX8000 Dual
• Philips MX8000 4

Scanners using the Akron Q:

• Siemens Sensation 10
• Siemens Sensation 16
• Philips MX8000 IDT 10
• Philps MX8000 IDT 16

As with any X-ray tube, the Akron will need to be replaced periodically. In light of this fact, the question becomes, "How long can I expect an Akron CT tube to last?" Below we'll tell you what kind of lifespan you can expect from your Akron tube as well as how much you can expect to pay to replace it.

Akron B and Akron Q Average Lifespan

The Span

From what we've seen in 18 years of working with CT customers across the world, the typical Akron tube lasts from 400,000 - 500,000 slices. That means users can expect 3-4 years of performance in a facility scanning a mid-range patient volume.

The Cost

Akrons are among the least expensive multi-slice CT tubes to replace. A used Akron B tube or used Akron Q tube currently ranges from $25,000 to $40,000, depending on the date of manufacture and the amount of previous usage.

The Takeaway

The lifespan of the Akron B and the Akron Q is not the longest among CT tubes but, comparatively speaking, they are among the least expensive to replace. If you're considering an Akron-equipped CT scanner, know that this balance makes the Akron a strong value and helps to minimize the parts cost inherent in maintaining a CT scanner. If you already use a water-cooled Philips or Siemens CT scanner, we're ready to help the next time you need to replace your Akron tube. Just click here and and save the page to your bookmarks for quick parts access.