We upgraded a Phillips pulsera to a Phillips Inity at one location (VAC/EOP) and we are very happy with it (new, as refurb units are not yet available. Expensive. ). At another center (VAC/ASC ) we are currently upgrading a GE OEC 9800. We looked at the Philllips Veridious flat panel refurb and the Phillips ONE new but the C arm depth is not deep enough (23-26 inch, the current 9800 super C is 33 inch). We are going with the GE OEC 9900 super C. Refurb with vascular package. 9 inch. It’s a 2011 with a 2015 tone and 2 year warranty including maintenance for 50% of the cost of a new one. The newest GE model has a flat detector but it has not been out long so there are no refurbished units. I like the Phillips ONE but other procedures are done at the ASC like pain Mgt /spine so we needed a C arm depth of at least 29 inch.

Phillips Unity.
Phillips Veradius
2015 tube.

We only perform dialysis access cases at my outpatient center. I’ve used the same Phillips Pulsera for about 8 years with no significant problems.

We are equipping another room, and I was first interested in the newer flat panel technology (Phillips Veradius).

On my older Pulsera system I usually do my DSA runs at ½ dose radiation, and we drop down to ¼ dose when manipulating wires or doing balloon inflations.

Interestingly, after spending lots of time with a demo of the Veradius flat panel, I actually preferred the images from the older Pulsera system. For me, the flat panel images had a more “washed out” appearance. We calibrated the system as much as possible to get it closer to my preferences – but we couldn’t quite get there.

I think the relatively large caliber of dialysis access vessels, in combination with the high blood flows in AV access, caused this issue with the flat panel. While the flat panel offered more shades of grey to the image, I found I needed higher doses of radiation and more contrast to give me a closer feel to what I was used to with the older technology.

I’m not sure if this is what others have experienced. If you are interested in the flat panel systems, I suggest you consider a demo before you commit to it. There is a significant cost difference between the 2 technologies.

For arterial/ PAD work, I think the flat-panel systems do offer advantages – the “greys” allow for a bit more detail for small caliber vessels. But for dialysis access, I preferred the older Pulsera images.

Thanks Daniel and Harold- I really appreciate it

Anybody else with experience with flat panel C arms of different brands?