GE OEC 9800 VS Philips BV Pulsera: How to Decide?

Choosing a full-sized C-Arm can be a challenge. What lessens the challenge is knowing your needs and your budget. Focusing on your specialty is especially helpful. Your budget is what it is. But there are ways to get the best bang for your buck.

Here we look at the OEC 9800, a very popular system built from 2000 through 2006, and the BV Pulsera, also introduced in 2000 but still in production, currently in its third generation. Let’s put these two machines into a C-to-C matchup and see which one comes out a winner!

Which detector comes out ahead? Depends on what you’re looking for. If it’s a detail you need, the 9800 has greater magnification throughout its resolution range. The Pulsera has a larger field of view when collimated down to 7” and 5” modes if real estate is what you need.

The 9800 has a greater mA range than the BV Pulsera due to its larger x-ray generator 15kW vs the Pulsera’s 7.5kW. The 9800 has slower pulse settings, limiting the dose more than the BV Pulsera, and a faster stock pulse rate as well. The Pulsera has a higher optional pulse rate at 30 pps, useful for real-time video capture.

With optional laser alignment on both systems, you’ll have to pay extra for this feature. In 2011 there was a recall on the Pulsera due to the clip for the laser aligner fastener coming loose during a procedure resulting in the aligner separating from the machine. If you decide on a Pulsera, make sure that the machine has had the recall addressed.

Documentation is critical. The 9800 has the edge in standard DICOM and MPPS (Only on systems with Revision 30 software). However, if your specialty requires lengthy video, the BV Pulsera with the optional Medical DVD Recorder has the edge.

The 9800 is lighter, shorter, and has a smaller footprint, so it’s easier to get moving from a dead stop and fits through smaller doorways.

Out of the box, the BV Pulsera has the edge with standard flat-screen monitors. It also has available touch screen capability, but only for the left monitor.

Here we have a clear winner: the 9800 has more free space and a deeper arc, useful features where lateral views or larger patients are involved. It also provides more clearance for the surgeon to operate within.

Deciding between these two systems is difficult. The 9800 shines in image magnification which shows more detail, both slower stock pulse rates for minimal dosing and a higher stock pulse rate for 15pps video, out of the box its documentation features are better, it’s lighter and smaller, and it’s C-Arm has more free space and arc depth. The BV Pulsera has a larger field of view which shows more anatomy, a higher optional pulse rate for more fluid video images, more image and (optional) video storage, and flat-screen monitors.

On average pricing on the BV Pulsera is usually cheaper for a newer aged system when compared to the 9800. If your procedures require maximum image detail, minimal video, and a more versatile C-Arm, then the 9800 is your machine. If you need a larger field of view when collimated down, more video time, and prefer flat-screen monitors (although there is an option to add flat-panel monitors to the 9800), and want to be at a lower price point then the BV Pulsera is your choice.

If you’re interested in either of these machines, have a different one in mind you’d like to explore, or just have questions for us, reach out to us via our Contact Us page, or click on the handy Request a Quote button.