Siemens has gained popularity in the C-arm market with the Artis zee system family that uses X-ray technology and contrast media for spatial visualization of blood vessels. The industrial robot technology integrated in Artis zeego allows the physician to move the C-arm to almost any position around a patient, making it easier to visualize internal organs from various sides. Using this system, a surgeon is able to perform complex C-arm movements that are not possible with conventional C-arm systems.

Hologic, (the first company to produce mini C-arms), reported record revenues exceeding $370 million for the quarter ending December 2007. The acquisition of BioLucent and the completion of the merger with Cytyc last October allowed Hologic to double in size in a 12 month period and gave Hologic the status of holding the number one position in nine technology areas serving women's health, including breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, cervical cancer screening, prenatal testing, and osteoporosis detection. Of its four reporting segments, mini C-arms are included in Skeletal Health. The Fluoroscan InSight mini C-arm - a system specifically designed to deliver high resolution, low dose images - was demonstrated at RSNA'07. "Hologic has invested substantially in the development of its mini C-arm system," states Keil. "Hologic holds a niche in the mini C-arm market with 90 percent of the market share."

OEC shut-down "neither unique nor extraordinary"

Don Bogutski, President of Diagnostix Plus, Inc., Rockville Centre, NY, offers a positive spin to the GE/OEC outcome. "FDA shutting down production of C-arms at GE/OEC is neither unique, nor extraordinary," states Bogutski. He feels that it is the FDA doing their job and a manufacturer responding by correcting a shortcoming before it becomes a problem. Historically, other major and minor OEMs have experienced these types of problems. "Several years ago, production was closed for more than six months as ADAC, Philips nuclear medicine worked to comply with FDA testing/reporting requirements," notes Bogutski. "Like GE will, they eventually worked back to compliance and resumed manufacturing." Bogutski also states that Siemens is currently working with the FDA on a PET/CT problem and there have been instances where smaller companies have had to suspend production as well. Diagnostix Plus sells reconditioned imaging tables for C-arms as a low cost alternative to new patient imaging tables.

Bogutski believes that third parties will succeed if they understand the need to be part of larger groups such as DOTmed.com and IAMERS. "We must use every tool available to successfully compete as strong competitors to the OEMs, especially for previously owned equipment," asserts Bogutski. Wayne Webster, Managing Director of Diagnostix Plus, will be presenting a DRA update at the May Annual Meeting of IAMERS that will include an overview on DRA and the imaging modalities, and what to expect during the next three years.

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