New Orthopaedic CT Machine Can Help Imaging Centers Compete for Referrals

Reading Time: 3 minutes read

Imaging centers can attract referrals with an ortho CT that provides patient comfort and weight-bearing studies.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)¹, in its publication “Ortho Info,” describes the CT exam as follows². “You lie as motionless as possible on a table that slides into the center of the cylinder-like CT scanner. The process is painless. An x-ray tube slowly rotates around you, taking many pictures from all directions. A computer combines the images to produce a clear, two-dimensional view on a television screen.” That description is certainly the way things were prior to the invention of Carestream’s cone beam orthopedic CT, which won Aunt Minnie’s “Minnies” award last year as the best new radiological device³.

CARESTREAM OnSight 3D Extremity System for imaging centers

The CARESTREAM OnSight 3D Extremity CT system has evolutionized the way orthopedic CT images can be evaluated. Today, with this new equipment, the patient can step into the machine and within seconds have a detailed 2D or 3D weight-bearing image of an extremity— hand, elbow, knee, leg, ankle or foot— in high quality and available digitally to orthopedic surgeons and referring physicians. Compared to traditional CT equipment, this new device represents a much more comfortable patient experience. It also offers 3D weight-bearing images—an important point to make when explaining its benefits to potential referrals.

Because of its small footprint and easy installation, the machine has created new opportunities for imaging centers to reduce overhead and therefore increase net revenue. Imaging centers can set up an “extremity room” in as little space as an 8’ X 10’ exam room. The Carestream CT has no special power requirements beyond a standard 110 volt wall socket. It typically requires no additional radiation shielding. This new machine costs a fraction of the price of a conventional CT so it’s an attractive piece of equipment to take the load off the typically pricier CTs, while enabling quick service to orthopedic patients.

See a 360⁰ virtual view of the orthopaedic OnSight 3D Extremity CT System 

See an interactive model of the CARESTREAM OnSight 3D Extremity System

View our new eBook for imaging centers to see a 360⁰ view of the OnSight system. Within the eBook, you can interact with a model of our CT system. You’ll quickly visualize how this compact system could easily fit into your imaging center, and you can examine some of its most innovative features.

The eBook, “The Extremity Room,” also includes 2D and 3D clinical images of extremities that imaging centers will want to share with their referring orthopedic surgeons.  It also includes a sample letter that centers can use to let ortho practices know about the capabilities of the Carestream CT machine. For more information on the OnSight system, visit or call 877-865-6325.

Read the blog by Dr. Brian Curtin of Ortho Carolina on “Building Orthopaedic Practice Revenue: Four Economic Models”.

Don Thompson is Carestream Health’s Marketing Director for the Onsight 3D Extremity System in the United States and Canada.  #conebeam #orthopaedic

References

1 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) https://www.aaos.org/Default.aspx?ssopc=1

2 Ortho Info http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00188

3 Aunt Minnie http://www.auntminnie.com/index.aspx?sec=nws&sub=rad&pag=dis&ItemID=115394