Center for Advanced MRI

C-ARM Start Up Procedure

1. Power ON: When facing the fluoroscopy monitors and attached keyboard, the ON/OFF switch is located just beneath the right monitor (see Figure 1). To turn on the machine, simply press the black button with the vertical slit. Once turned on, the machine will need approximately one to two minutes to warm up before further inputs can be entered and the fluoroscopy unit can be used.
2. Fluorscopy Settings: Once the PowerMobil unit is warmed up, prior to any angiography, the parameters for the fluoroscopy unit must be entered into the control panel attached to the C-arm of the unit. When facing the control panel, five column sets of buttons with five displays are seen. For basic operations, only the first two sets of buttons on the left and the top right button immediately beneath the “min” display are necessary.
   • First, set the degree to -90° by pressing on the left button immediately below the degree display on the top left of the control panel (see Figure 2).
   • Second, push the DCM button so that it is selected. If digital subtraction angiography is desired, push the “SUB” button.
   • Third, in the column of buttons immediately to the right of the degree column, press the heart button and the magnification button (located to the left of the heart button) as shown.
   • Fourth, if allowed, adjust the P/s setting (using the P/s button under the P/s display) until “15” is displayed.
   • Lastly, during actual fluoroscopy, a warning alarm will occasionally be emitted from the PowerMobil unit. If this occurs, press the brown button immediately below the “min” display to temporarily turn off the alarm.
3. Fluoroscopy Operations
   • Basic fluoroscopy is performed by placing the object on the movable table and then activating the fluoroscopy unit using the foot pedals (see Figure 3, Top). The right foot pedal is used for standard fluoroscopy while the left foot pedal is used for digital subtraction angiography (if needed).
   • Once fluoroscopy images are acquired, they can be reviewed by pressing the “process” button and then using the diamond enclosed arrow buttons to move forward or backward through the image series (see Figure 3, Bottom).
   • Once all studies are completed, to turn off the fluoroscopy unit, simply press the black button with the white circle on it.

C-ARM Shutdown Procedure

• When the study is finished you may turn the machine off using the OFF button.
• Make sure the room is clean and ready to use for the next researcher.

C-ARM Troubleshooting

Problem – The machine doesn’t seem to be working

Solution – If the machine seems to freeze at any time, try to turn off the machine using the OFF button and then re-start the machine after 5-10 seconds.

Problem – My on-screen image is too large/small.

Solution – First, either select or de-select the magnification button and re-image. If that doesn’t work, then adjust the table higher or lower as needed.

Problem – My on-screen image is off to one side.

Solution – Adjust the table appropriately using the table controls to center the object in the field of view.

Problem – The screen is displaying a low memory warning of < 20%.

Solution – Continue with fluoroscopy study and inform CAMRI personnel when finished. As long as the warning is > 1%, the images can still be acquired.