Entry #3: The C-arm Control Panel

On mobile fluoroscopy units there is a control panel attached to two monitors. It looks a little something like this (though some models may look different depending on the manufacturer):

The control panel is generally separated into five categories:

• Orientation
• Techs can change the way the image is displayed on the monitor screen during an exam for easier viewing for the the doctor. The less mental flipping and flopping, the less room for error. Tech’s must be cautious to ensure that the image is always displayed in a way that would help to decrease the risk of treating the wrong side or site of a patient.
• Collimation
• As with traditional x-ray, collimation can help to limit the beam. This can be helpful in reducing dead space in the imaging field. This also helps to produce a clearer image and reduce radiation dosage to the patient.
• Contrast
• Techs can adjust the brightness/darkness of their fluoro images. Typically the brightness is adjusted to compensate for the level of light in the room or to meet a doctor’s preference.
• Generator
• The kVp and mAs can be monitored and adjusted during a fluoro exam with the generator buttons. These can be adjusted to produce a clearer, more diagnostic picture.
• Workstation
• Techs may annotate and send images from the exam to PACs at the workstation as well as send dosage measurements.