SIEMENS Arcadis Orbic 3D (2005)

Spinal surgery is the application the three-dimensional capability was built for. Conventional fluoroscopy provides anteroposterior and lateral views, and a medial pedicle screw breach is best appreciated in the axial plane, which two-dimensional imaging does not produce. A volumetric dataset acquired in theatre provides that plane while the patient is still anaesthetised, so a finding can be acted upon in the same session rather than after a postoperative scan. Siemens states the capability reduces misplacement and revision rates. All clinical judgement, including whether an exposure is justified and what any finding warrants, remains with the operating surgeon, and Medigear.uk supplies configuration and condition detail rather than clinical guidance.

Trauma surgery uses the same capability across joints of the upper and lower extremities, pelvis and hip, where articular reduction is assessed on a volume rather than inferred from two projections. Because acquisition can be repeated during the procedure, a reduction can be checked, adjusted and checked again rather than committed to on the strength of two views. Medigear.uk confirms the 3D function is present and calibrated on any unit quoted.

Maxillofacial work is listed among the applications, benefiting from the same volumetric assessment in a region where anatomy is complex and individual projections are difficult to interpret in isolation. Medigear.uk confirms which anatomical programmes are fitted on a given machine.

Two-dimensional work benefits from the isocentric geometry alone. Because anatomy stays centred through 190 degrees of orbital rotation, changing projection needs no repositioning, which Siemens describes as saving time and dose since repositioning under screening is itself exposure.

A Plane That Fluoroscopy Cannot Produce

Conventional imaging gives anteroposterior and lateral views. A reconstructed volume gives the axial plane, which is where certain findings are actually visible. This is a difference in what can be seen rather than in how clearly it is seen, which is why it belongs at the top of any assessment of this machine.

Findings Addressed in the Same Anaesthetic

Where a postoperative scan reveals a problem, correcting it means a second admission and a second anaesthetic. A dataset acquired in theatre allows the same assessment while the patient is still on the table. Siemens states the capability reduces revision surgery rates.

Acquisition Can Be Repeated as Work Proceeds

The scan is not a single end-of-case check. It can be repeated as often as required to reflect anatomical changes made during the procedure, so assessment tracks the operation rather than concluding it.

Isocentric Geometry Is What Makes It Possible

Reconstruction requires projections about a common centre, and anatomy drifting during the sweep renders a dataset unusable. True isocentric movement holds the central beam at the isocentre through 190 degrees while keeping tube, anatomy and intensifier distances constant, so image size stays consistent across projections.

The Same Geometry Pays Off in Two Dimensions

Because anatomy stays centred as the arm rotates, changing projection requires no horizontal or vertical repositioning. Siemens describes this as saving time and dose, and the dose point is real, since repositioning under live screening is itself an exposure.

Dose Recorded Into a Report Automatically

An integrated dose measuring chamber enters accumulated dose automatically into a radiation report. Operating X-ray equipment brings dose recording and audit obligations, and a system producing that record without manual capture supports them directly.

Navigation Interfaces Were Offered

NaviLink 3D as a direct three-dimensional navigation interface and NaviVision 3D as an integrated optical platform have both been available. Whether either is fitted changes materially what a machine supports, so it is confirmed rather than assumed from the model name.

Honest About the Power Class

Maximum pulsed output of 2.3 kW is modest against machines built to penetrate large abdomens, and that reflects a system designed around geometric precision for bone and joint work. A service needing high penetration should look elsewhere, and Medigear.uk says so before quoting.

Intraoperative 3D Acquisition

The system acquires 50 or 100 projection images and reconstructs them into a volumetric dataset within theatre.

1K Squared Projection Images

Projection images are recorded at 1024 by 1024, with acquisition taking 30 seconds or 60 seconds for the 100 image set.

Repeatable Acquisition

The scan can be repeated as often as required during a procedure to reflect anatomical changes made in the interim.

True Isocentric Movement

The central beam remains at the isocentre throughout rotation, which is what allows reconstruction and removes repositioning between projections.

Orbital Movement: 190 Degrees

Orbital rotation covers 190 degrees at plus and minus 95 degrees, with 95 degree overscan.

Constant Source to Object Distance

Distances between tube, anatomy and intensifier remain constant across projections, so image size does not change as the arm moves.

Counterbalanced with Electromagnetic Brakes

The C-arm is counterbalanced with integrated cables and electromagnetic brakes, with colour coding to support positioning.

Geometry and Reach

Source to intensifier distance is 98 cm with 78 cm free space, 73 cm immersion depth, 40 cm vertical travel, 20 cm horizontal movement and plus or minus 10 degrees swivel.

Maximum Pulsed Output: 2.3 kW

Fluoroscopy runs 0.2 to 15.2 mA and digital radiography 0.2 to 23 mA, both to a maximum of 1000 W, with a Power Mode for temporary maximum output.

Pulsed Fluoroscopy

Minimum pulse width is 7 ms with pulse rates to 8 frames per second, and to 15 frames per second as an option.

Integrated Dose Measuring Chamber

Accumulated dose is entered automatically into a radiation report, supporting dose recording obligations without manual capture.

Measurement and Annotation

Angles and distances can be measured on images, with marking, annotation and comment functions available.

Navigation Interfaces

NaviLink 3D and NaviVision 3D have both been offered. Which, if either, is fitted is confirmed before quotation.

Syngo User Interface

The system uses the syngo interface common to Siemens imaging platforms, supporting workflow from registration to documentation.

DICOM and Storage

DICOM 3.0 functions support post-processing, archiving and documentation, with 10,000 images on hard disk and around 300 to CD.

Worklist Integration

Patient data transfers from a hospital information system to the C-arm worklist, removing manual entry at the point of use.

Condition, Records and Compliance

Medigear.uk obtains tube condition, exposure hours, 3D function status and calibration, and sets out the radiation compliance requirements of operating X-ray equipment.

The Siemens ARCADIS Orbic 3D acquires 50 or 100 projection images across a 190 degree isocentric sweep and reconstructs them into a volumetric dataset in theatre, which provides the axial plane that two-dimensional fluoroscopy cannot produce. That matters most where a finding such as a medial pedicle screw breach is visible axially and not on anteroposterior and lateral views, because assessment during the same anaesthetic replaces a postoperative scan and a possible second admission. True isocentric geometry is what makes reconstruction possible and simultaneously removes repositioning from ordinary two-dimensional work, while an integrated dose chamber writes accumulated dose into a radiation report automatically. Maximum pulsed output of 2.3 kW reflects a machine built around geometric precision for bone and joint work rather than penetration through large abdomens. Medigear.uk confirms 3D function, navigation interface, tube condition and compliance requirements before supply. Contact Medigear.uk for specifications, procurement assistance, or expert consultation.