One of the most vital elements of your CT imaging equipment is its tube. While they come in various models and makes, all are used for the same purpose. The CT tube can be costly to replace, and many facilities don’t start thinking about its maintenance until it’s time to buy a new CT tube. The lifespan of equipment depends on various factors, and several signs might indicate your tube is near the end of its lifespan and several options when that happens.
A CT tube is a crucial piece of equipment in diagnosing and treating injuries and other health conditions. Knowing that your CT tube is failing can help you get the replacement you need to continue providing quality care for your patients without disruption. In this article, we’ll discuss some common signs that your CT tube needs to be replaced, and we will also discuss the average CT tube lifespan.
1904 HTM provides comprehensive medical imaging equipment repair because we understand how each and every part of your equipment matters to your patients.
How to tell if a CT tube is about to fail
The core of all CT scanners is the CT tube. The lifespan of equipment strongly depends on how well you maintain and how often you use it. CT systems can be kept more cost-effective by keeping an eye on the functioning of the CT tubes. Many healthcare management teams do not start thinking about the CT tube lifespan until the system has been installed and in use for several years. Damage to the equipment may already have been done at this point.
On the bright side, there are early warning signs that CT users can watch out for to identify when CT tube help is needed. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Loud humming
If you hear a continuous humming noise coming from the CT scanner, it is because the bearings inside the tube housing are wearing down. Anodes in CT tubes constantly spin when a scan is being performed. Due to this constant spinning state, the housing inside the CT tubes eventually starts wearing down.
Interrupted scanning or immediate shutdown
Your CT scanner may tolerate minor electrical arcing in the tube. However, if the arcing becomes excessive, the scan might get interrupted. You should check your log for error messages related to arcing. At first, these error messages will not disrupt your system and can be removed easily. However, these arc error messages indicate an increase in the frequency of other errors, and interruptions are likely to occur soon.
An immediate shutdown error indicates that arcing is happening consistently in the CT tube, and there can be a problem with the tube. Warming up a cold tube is essential. If the tube is cold, this error is likely to happen. Before each scanning schedule, allow time for the tube to warm up.
Change in tube cooling
Another sign that a CT tube is approaching the end of its life is the inconsistency of the tube’s operating temperature. CT scanners must remain cool during operation in order to protect the CT tube and other components. A CT tube that fails to maintain a stable operating temperature during operations is a common sign that the CT tube lifespan is coming to an end.
Different tubes, different lifetimes
Tubes like the MRC 600 and 800 are among the longest-lasting on the market. MRC tubes last between 800,000 and 1,600,000 scan seconds on average. That translates to 4-7 years of performance in a facility scanning at mid-range patient volume. A typical Dura 202 lasts between 300,000 and 400,000 scan seconds. In a facility scanning mid-range patient volume, this is approximately 2-3 years. Dura 422, on the other hand, lasts between 400,000 and 500,000 scan seconds, or 3-4 years.
According to scientific literature, the Ultra tubes warranty coverage limit is 70 kAs or 12 months, whichever comes first. The limit is 6,000 examinations or 12 months for a Pro CT tube. Lifespan measurements for the Performix Ultra CT tubes range from 7 to 48 months and 16.7 to 239.9 kAs. Mean values for the Ultra CT tubes are approximately 19.2 ± 12.5 months and 81.0 ± 45.4 kAs. Although Pro tubes last longer, they acquire fewer scans than Ultra tubes.
The ultimate stop for your CT related problems
1904 HTM has over 50 years of combined experience in repairing and servicing medical imaging equipment. We understand the importance of having a functional CT tube for patients’ timely diagnosis and treatment. If you are experiencing issues with your CT tube, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for assistance. We are available to serve the Puget Sound corridor, including Portland, Seattle, and Tacoma, to help get your equipment back up and running so you can continue providing quality care for your patients. Contact us today!