CT Tube Replacement Cost and Service

CT Tube Replacement Service Guide

Whether your system is currently down or planning for future service, understanding all of your CT tube replacement options can help eliminate unnecessary system down time and avoid having to reschedule patients.

This guide is a resource provided by MRIPETCTSOURCE that will give you the answers you need to make the most informed decision regarding CT tube replacement cost and service options.

Indications CT Tube Is Nearing End Of Life

As CT tube assemblies near end of life, symptoms may arise that affect CT system scanning abilities. Below are some of the signs your system may be exhibiting and the steps you can take to prevent system down time when experiencing CT X-ray tube issues.

1. Tube Arcing Artifact or Tube Spit Errors

Symptoms: Streak artifact or loss of signal in raw data. Reconstructed images may show artifact that varies from scan to scan. May see tube spit errors in error log. Shorts within the high voltage circuitry can lead to loss of voltage or over voltage that is registered as a tube spit. Tube spits can cause inability to scan if tube spit count is outside allowable range. If X-ray tube is arcing but tube spits are within tolerance, scanning may be allowed but image artifacts may arise. Consult with your primary field service engineer to troubleshoot high voltage components before tube spit counts escalate to a hard down system.

Reference Article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4813068/

2. Rotor Noise or Frozen Rotor Errors

Symptoms: Noise coming from CT Gantry increasing in volume over time. One of the most common mechanical failures in a CT X-ray Tube is rotor failure. The sound of a CT tube rotor assembly can be heard as the CT tube rotor spins up before every CT scan. The sound of the tube rotor may increase over time.

CT Technologists have reported the CT scanner sounds like a blow dryer and other technologists have even reported that it sounds like a jet engine. Both are very likely because the rotor assembly spins at a high rate of speed. The assembly is susceptible to mechanical failure of the bearings due to heat and wear. Increasing rotor noise is an indication tube will be failing in the near term.

Best practice is to schedule your CT repair service around patient schedule before imminent system failure.

3. Limited mA Scan Range

Symptom: Unable to scan either with Head or Body option or cannot scan above ~220mA. Technologists may experience limited scan options when setting up scan protocol due to issues with ct tube internal parts and circuitry. Typically occurs when either Small or Large tube filament circuitry has been compromised. Consult Service Engineer and perform test scans to asses system scan limitations. If CT system scan limitations allow for patient scanning, schedule tube replacement around patient schedule. Otherwise, replace X-ray tube before resuming patient scanning.

4. GE CT Open Circuit Errors

Symptoms: CT scanner will spin but green scan button will not illuminate indicating system is not ready to scan. CT X-ray Tubes contain multiple filaments that function much like a fluorescent light bulb. The filaments carry high voltage current through the tube and any break in the filament circuitry will lead to an open filament circuit failure. Scan Hardware will detect an open circuit in either the large filament or small filament circuitry and inhibit system scanning. CT scanner error log will show associated error message indicating open circuit reported by HEMIT assembly. Experiencing open circuit errors or symptoms stated above? CT Tube may need to be replaced.

5. Scan mA Seconds Nearing Estimated Lifespan

Symptom: mA Seconds Increasing. System logs update CT tube usage data after every scan sequence. Factors such as model design, average daily clinical use, and scan room environmental conditions all affect tube life expectancy. . Refer to tube manufacture technical publication and site service engineer for site specific tube data. Consult with tube manufacturer for warranty coverage.

CT Tube Life Expectancy

The most reliable gauge of tube life expectancy is using mA (milliamp) Seconds. System logs track usage data. Consult with service engineer to access log file records.

mAs Count

8 kHU tube (Example: VCT 64 MX240) will average a lifespan of 120 – 150 million mAs.

6kHU tube (Example: Lightspeed 16 MX-200) will average a lifespan of 90 million mAs.

4 kHU tube (Example: Hispeed Qxi MX-165) will average a lifespan of 70 million mAs.

Many factors affect the overall CT tube life expectancy. Usage data is one of many data points taken into account when diagnosing a CT tube fault. Field Service Engineer troubleshooting methods isolate root cause

Expected Down time

The following guidelines are estimates. Site down time will differ depending on logistics, site layout, and model type.

Replacing a CT Tube assembly requires 4 to 12 hours. Extended service time will be required if tube purge procedure and detailed calibrations is required before resuming patient scanning. Field Service Engineer determines if purge procedure and detailed calibrations.

Tube purge procedure can add up to 3 hours. Detailed calibrations can add as much as 4 hours to the tube replacement process.

CT Tube Replacement Cost and Service Options

CT Tube Replacement Resources

Never settle for a second-class service company. MRIPETCTSOURCE has built lasting relationships with trusted partners who hold long-standing records with DOTMED100, FDA Certification, ISO 13485 certification, Vendormate certification and many more to ensure your CT receives the best service possible.

Conclusion

Never sacrifice quality and know what you are paying for. Many after-market tube assemblies are manufactured by competing OEMs. For example, Dunlee who is owned by Phillips, manufactures new CT Tubes and they are sold as after-market tubes for GE and Siemens. All major OEMs produce tubes for all of the most popular CT models but will be labeled OEM and sold at a premium. Receive the same quality and warranty without paying the premiums that come with OEM labeled parts!

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Additional Resources

Are you in the market for a new CT system? See the CT scanner price guide for the latest pricing or see our GE CT Scanner Models List page to find the perfect CT scanner for your imaging center.

Are you struggling to find a reliable parts supplier? MRIPETCTSOURCE is happy to recommend a parts supplier that will give you world-class expedited service. Contact us today! We are always happy to help you resolve any issue!

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