When it comes to imaging table manufacturers and brands, there can be a lot of noise and confusion from vendors.
Many make claims about what their imaging tables can do, but others are making the same claims as well. So, who’s telling the truth?
For that reason, we’re writing this review article on the most popular and best imaging surgery tables available in Canada.
Hopefully, it will help clarify which imaging table is the best fit for you.
Please note:
- The following list is comprised of over thirty years of experience in the surgical table industry, market research and market share. There are more imaging table manufacturers and brands than listed here.
- The features and benefits of the tables come from public sources and may not include all of the features and benefits of the table.
- The tables’ specifications come from public sources.
Although many tables have imaging capabilities, to keep the list as targeted as possible, we are listing:
- Imaging-specific imaging tables
- General surgery tables with imaging capabilities, such as top slide.
The following tables are listed in random order.
Be sure to download the imaging table technical specification comparison at the end of this article!
Imaging-Specific Tables
Biodex Imaging Tables
Biodex C-Arm tables lead the way in many areas that define quality imaging tables.
Biodex Surgical C-Arm Tables come with a choice of the standard contoured tabletop design or rectangular design. The contoured tabletop permits a spacious workspace for anesthesiologists, but also has the narrowness required for cervical procedures. The rectangular tabletop allows additional space for long-leg runoff studies.
Contoured tabletop features a face cutout for comfortable prone positioning.
No cross members located in the radiolucent area allow full fluoroscopic visualization and unobstructed C-Arm positioning.
They have several options available that cover various specific procedures.
Surgical C-Arm Table 840
The Surgical C-Arm Table 840 recently had some upgrades done.
These new features include:
- Extra-large radiolucent area
- Expansive tabletop motion
- Isocentric lateral roll
The table design facilitates image-guided fluoroscopic procedures.
The cantilevered low attenuation carbon fiber tabletop accommodates portable or ceiling-suspended C-Arms.
Features & benefits include:
- Free-float tabletop featuring SmoothGlide™ movement
- Expansive head-to-toe tabletop motion
- Extra-large radiolucent area
- High-speed actuators for quick tabletop positioning
- Isocentric lateral roll maintains image center during tabletop movement, minimizing image distortion
- Low attenuation carbon fiber tabletop
- Ergonomic mushroom shaped control for free-float motion
- Low-profile, stainless steel table base for unrestricted C-arm movement
- Hand and foot-operated controllers
- Standard AC and battery power
Surgical C-Arm Table 846
The Biodex C-Arm Table 846 is a more affordable table for both pain care and cardiovascular procedures.
Features & benefits include:
- Standard contoured or rectangular low attenuation carbon fiber tabletop
- High-speed actuator for quick vertical movement
- Portable hand-held controller
- Free-float X-Y tabletop
- Low profile base for C-Arm clearance
Pain Management C-Arm Table 870
Designed for image-guided pain care procedures, the 870 is slightly smaller than the 840 and 846.
Features & benefits include:
- Standard contoured or rectangular low attenuation carbon fiber tabletop
- High-speed actuators assure quick tabletop positioning
- Convenient positioning controllers
- Smooth starts and stops programmed into all motorized movements
- Low profile base for C-Arm clearance
Fixed Height Surgical C-Arm Table
The most basic and economical of the Biodex C-Arm tables, the Fixed Height C-Arm Table still allows for unrestricted head-to-toe C-Arm positioning.
Features & benefits include:
- Extra-large low-attenuation carbon fiber tabletop
- Unrestricted end-to-end C-Arm positioning
- Four twin-wheel locking casters
Sources:
- http://www.biodex.com/medical-imaging/products/c-arm-tables/surgical-c-arm-table-840
- http://www.biodex.com/medical-imaging/products/c-arm-tables/surgical-c-arm-table-846
- http://www.biodex.com/medical-imaging/products/c-arm-tables/pain-management-c-arm-table-870
- http://www.biodex.com/medical-imaging/products/c-arm-tables/fixed-height-surgical-c-arm-table
Skytron Imaging Tables
Skytron imaging tables, along with their other tables in general, are consistently found to have one of the lowest costs of ownership.
Certain Skytron tables come with true tabletop rotation and market leading longitudinal slide. We say true tabletop rotation because the base does not move while only the tabletop rotates.
Skytron 3003 Impulse
The Skytron 3003 Impulse is ideal for endo vascular imaging or stent placement procedures.
Features & benefits include:
- Patient positioning via joystick
- Two-speed, multidirectional top slide
- Low-profile table base
- Four-point braking system
Source:
- http://skytron.us/products/pages/3003.html
Steris Imaging Tables
Steris, in terms of surgical tables, is perhaps one of the most recognizable names the healthcare industry.
For many years, Steris has delivered quality tables to the market. An example of this is the 4:1 static load safety factor in their imaging tables.
SurgiGraphic 6000 Image Guided Surgical Table
The Steris SurgiGrpahic 6000 is a multi-procedure table that allows staff to view the patient as if they were floating in space.
There is also a SurgiGrpahic Fixed-Base option for this table.
Features & benefits include:
- Surgeon Palm Control allows surgeon complete control of every table movement
- Lock-out function to prevent accidental movement
- Multi-speed manual float
- Pre-programmed positions
- Small, T-shaped base made of brushed surgical stainless steel
- Auto-corrects for surface deflection caused by the patient’s weight
- self-leveling floor locks
SurgiGraphic 1027 Image Guided Surgical Table
The Steris version of an economic imaging table, the 1027 is optimal for pain management and image-guided procedures.
Features & benefits include:
- Easily transportable
- Radial AV fistula board allows seamless intra-operative flow studies with no metal obstruction
- Open design allows C-arm 360° of radiolucent imaging
- Metal-free carbon fiber imaging surface delivers
- 45° beveled edges all but eliminate edge effect
- Telescoping, two-column base minimizes table deflection
Sources:
- https://www.steris.com/products/surgical-tables/surgigraphic-6000-image-guided-surgical-table
- https://www.steris.com/products/surgical-tables/surgigraphic-1027-image-guided-surgical-table
Mizuho OSI Imaging Tables
Somewhat of a specialty surgical table manufacturer, Mizuho OSI was the first to use carbon fiber material in the structure of an operating room table in 1992.
Insite®
The INSITE® imaging table is multi-procedural and offers a radiolucent, cantilevered frame equipped with customizable positioning pads and components.
Features & benefits include:
- Interfaces with the BodyTom®, a portable, full body, multi-slice CT scanner
- One piece, carbon fiber supine top converts the open frame for supine and lateral positioning
- Unrestricted O-arm® and C-arm access and total spine access
- Open frame design reduces vena cava compression and minimizes bleeding
- Customizable pad and component placement
- Tempur-Pedic® pads
- Patient head orientation can be at the cantilever or the pedestal end
- Self-adjusting power floor locks
- Low-profile, stainless steel shrouded base
- AC or battery operated
- Emergency stop and emergency floor lock override system
- Standard or accessory rails on pedestal end
Allegro®
The Allegro® surgery table features multi-speed and a four-way motorized tabletop.
The table is multi-procedural.
Features & benefits include:
- Motorized tabletop movement with full patient load at any angle
- Joystick controller
- Edge to edge radiolucency
- Electric floor locks
- AC or battery operation
- Tempur-Pedic® pads
- Swivel mount for hand pendant for horizontal mounting
Sources:
- http://www.mizuhosi.com/products/spine/insite/
- http://www.mizuhosi.com/products/imaging/allegro/
Arcoma (Medstone) Imaging Tables
Introduced to the market in 1999, Arcoma combines Swedish engineering with US manufacturing.
Acroma offers two imaging table series: the Elite and the Precision.
Arcoma-Medstone “PRECISION” Series
There are three tables available in the Precision Series.
Precision imaging tables include:
- 0047-TM5 (H) SCU
- 5 positional movements
- Lateral and top slide
- Return to level
- Programmable positions
- Infectious control covers
- 0047-TM4 (H) KOM
- 4 positional movements
- Top slide
- Carbon fiber tabletop with facial cutout
- Infectious control covers
- 0047-TM4 (H) SCU
- Main use is for urology
- 4 positional movements
- Lateral and top slide
- Carbon fiber table top with extension
- Infectious control covers
Arcoma-Medstone “ELITE” Series
There are six versions available in the Elite series.
Elite imaging tables include:
- 0047-TM4ER
- 4 positional movements
- Top slide
- Carbon fiber tabletop with facial cutout
- 0047-TM3ER
- 3 positional movements
- Top slide
- Carbon fiber tabletop with facial cutout
- 0047-TM2ER
- 2 positional movements
- Top slide
- Carbon fiber tabletop with facial cutout
- 0047-TM3MP
- 3 positional movements
- Carbon fiber tabletop with facial cutout
- 0047-TL2
- 2 positional movements
- Carbon fibre tabletop with facial cutout
- 0047-TT2
- 2 positional movements
- Carbon fibre tabletop with facial cutout
Sources:
- http://arcoma.se/products/mobile-procedural-tables/arcoma-medstone-precision-series/
- http://arcoma.se/products/mobile-procedural-tables/arcoma-medstone-elite-series/
Oakworks Medical Imaging Tables
Some of Oakworks imaging tables are billed as the industry’s leading for height range. Please note that this may not be accurate, as another manufacturer also claims the most height range.
Their brochure also claims to have the strongest and most robust lifting column on the market, but there is no explanation provided.
Oakworks imaging tables generally include:
- Radiolucent Comfort Foam™ tabletop pad
- Locking castors
- Patient safety straps
C-Arm/imaging models include:
- CFPM400
- Comes in rectangular top or with integrated headrest
- 4 positional movements
- Carbon fiber top and metal free imaging space
- CFPM401
- Comes in rectangular top or with integrated headrest
- 4 positional movements
- Carbon fibre top and metal free imaging space
- CFPM300
- Comes in rectangular top or with integrated headrest
- 3 positional movements
- Carbon fibre top and metal free imaging space
- CFPM301
- Comes in rectangular top or with integrated headrest
- 3 positional movements
- Carbon fibre top and metal free imaging space
- CFPMB301
- Comes in rectangular top
- 3 positional movements
- Carbon fibre top and metal free imaging space
- CFPM100
- Comes in rectangular top or with integrated headrest
- 1 positional movement
- Carbon fibre top and metal free imaging space
- CFPMFXH
- Comes in rectangular top or with integrated headrest
- Fixed height
- Carbon fibre top and metal free imaging space
- DTPM300
- Comes in rectangular top
- 3 positional movements
- Poly-carbonate top
- 2 tower lift design
Sources:
- http://www.oakworksmed.com/c-arm-tables.asp
Schaerer® Medical USA, Inc. Imaging Tables
Schaerer Medical USA has been manufacturing general and specialty mobile surgical tables for over 100 years.
schaerer® 7300
This multi-procedural table can be converted for specialty procedures with the right accessories.
Features & benefits include:
- Narrow base and short tabletop sections
- Carbon fiber tabletop
- Stainless steel construction
- 360˚ x-ray radiolucency, with no visible artifacts
- Self-diagnosing feature produces digital readouts of the table’s current position and status of the battery charge
- Lockout positions
- Standard, built-in backup features incorporating dual electro-hydraulic pumping systems
- Stops automatically at the level or “neutral” setting and remains there until the command is re-issued during position change
schaerer® Arcus
The latest of the Schaerer imaging tables, the Arcus features the famous Schaerer offset cantilevered base.
There are three Arcus models:
- 501
- The versatile basic model with one electro hydraulic powered tabletop flex point. Head and leg plates are manually adjustable.
- 601
- The convenient one with two electro-hydraulic powered tabletop flex points. Leg plates in basic position are adjustable motor driven or manually.
- 701
- The basic model for orthopaedics and traumatology. Tabletop consisting of head and back plate and one electro-hydraulic powered table top flex point.
Features & benefits include:
- Backup design for batteries, motor pump and control
- Self-compensating dynamic floor lock system
- Claims to have the highest table height
- Multi-speed table drive
- Can be equipped with a digital integration
Stille ImagiQ2™ (distributor for)
The Stille ImagiQ2™ is billed as the “Revolutionary Low Dose Imaging Surgery Table”.
Features & benefits include:
- Super low dose carbon fiber top
- Iso-centric roll allows the C-arm to maintain its focal point when laterally tilting the patient
- Direction and speed of the True Free Float match the clinician’s hand
- Carbon fiber tabletop
- Ultra slim design
Sources:
- http://www.schaerermedicalusa.com/index.php/7300
- http://www.schaerermedicalusa.com/index.php/arcus
- http://www.schaerermedicalusa.com/index.php/stille-imagiq
Maquet Imaging Tables
Traditionally, Maquet tables have been synonymous with quality engineering and above-industry-average costs.
Magnus 1180 Operating Room Table
The Maquet Magnus imaging table also has one of the biggest height ranges on the market, in addition to other brands that claim the industry’s best.
Features & benefits include:
- Increased inclination angles due to slope saddle technology
- Extreme working radius allows patient to assume a “floating” position
- Up to ten different patient positions can be stored in hand control
- Multi-language hand control versions provides useful status information and indicates possible operating faults
Sources:
- http://www.maquet.com/int/products/magnus/?ccid=5
Trumpf Medical Imaging Tables
Now a part of Hill-Rom®, Trumpf offers two main types of imaging tables: OR table systems and mobile OR tables.
OR Table Systems
Features & benefits include:
- Numerous tabletop options
- Intuitive user interfaces
- Light components and intuitive coupling points
- Force sensor technology protects against collisions and overload
- Integrates with CT, MRI and angiography systems
Tables:
- TruSystem™ 7500 Hybrid
- Compatible with angiography systems, intraoperative CT and MRI
- Rapid speed of adjustment, of up to 7 inches (185 mm) /sec while maintaining the isocenter by synchronous movement of a C-arm
- 3D radiolucent skull clamp
- Full radiolucency of the spine is even possible in 3D
- Free-floating movement via sensor technology is possible, even in the Trendelenburg/reverse Trendelenburg position
- Full-body radiolucency in 3D possible thanks to 6.9 ft. (2.10 m) extension
- Flexible beach chair positioning in neurosurgery, even with X-Y adjustment option for Artis Zeego with iGuide technology
Sources:
- https://www.trumpfmedical.com/en/products/or-tables/or-table-systems/trusystem-7500-hybrid/
General Surgery Tables with Imaging Capabilities
Biodex
3D Imaging C-Arm Table 820
Equipped for use with 3D C-Arm for seed implantation, urology, thoracic/vascular and other general C-Arm applications, the 820 provides an exceptional platform for pelvic Brachytherapy and 3D Urology procedures.
The narrow tabletop is low-attenuation carbon fiber is cantilevered to accommodate portable 3D C-Arms.
Features & benefits include:
- 3D imaging of breast and thorax
- Powered f height, X-Y, lateral roll and Trendelenburg
- Return to level
- The hand-held and foot-operated controllers can be positioned anywhere on the table, allowing for quick positioning access
- Proportional speed control of movements
- Fowler back adjusts up to 80°
- Lightweight, non-imaging patient transfer extension and a radiolucent extension included
- AC and battery power
Sources:
- http://www.biodex.com/medical-imaging/products/c-arm-tables/3d-imaging-c-arm-table-820
Skytron General Surgery Tables with Imaging Capabilities
3502 EZ Slide
Have a tall surgeon in your facility? The Skytron 3502 EZ Slide has the highest max height of all Skytron tables.
Features & benefits include:
- Click of a button slide feature for C-Arm positioning without having to reposition table
- Slim, low-profile table base
- One-touch articulation of pre-programmed movements
- Top slide at full weight capacity
- Removable leg section for quick accessory attachment and positioning
- Head section can be detached and applied as a foot extension as the table top slides toward the foot end
- Audible alarm for kidney bridge, back up articulation and top slide obstruction
- Four conductive casters complement four-point braking system
- Backlit control with recessed buttons to prevent accidental activation
3602 Ultraslide
The Skytron 3602 Ultraslide combines imaging with power.
Billed as the table with the most top-slide on the market, the 3602 allows for a high capacity of articulation in conjunction with a high patient weight limit.
Features & benefits include:
- Click of a button slide feature for C-Arm positioning without having to re-position table
- Low-profile table base
- One-touch articulation of pre-programmed movements
- Removable leg section for quick accessory attachment and positioning
- With the back section removed, the beach chair can be fully integrated and powered by the table, providing one-touch setup
- Audible alarm for kidney bridge, back up articulation and top slide obstruction
- Four conductive casters complement four-point braking system
- Backlit control with recessed buttons to prevent accidental activation
Sources:
- http://skytron.us/products/pages/3502.html
- http://skytron.us/products/pages/3602.html
Steris General Surgery Tables with Imaging Capabilities
Steris 5085 & 5085 SRT
The latest in the Steris lineup of surgical tables, the 5085 comes in two versions: the 5085 and the 5085 SRT.
The main differences are that the SRT has “rotation” and transport capabilities. Note that the rotation is not true tabletop rotation where the tabletop rotates independently of the base, but rather simulating tabletop rotation by turning the entire table.
Features & benefits include:
- Rotate and battery operated drive transport (5085 SRT)
- Multi-procedural
- Bariatric weight limits
- Narrow column
- Top slide
- Intuitive hand control eliminates need to lift sterile drape
- 4 section tabletop
- Integrated manual override system
- Auto limit sensor (ALS) eliminates unintended sectional collisions
- Removable carbon fibre leg section
Sources:
- https://www.steris.com/products/surgical-tables/steris-5085-srt-surgical-table
Maquet General Surgery Tables with Imaging Capabilities
Alphamaxx Mobile Operating Table
Sometimes compared to the Skytron 3602, the Alphamaxx has a modular structure, which allows the table to adapt to the patient’s body size. It also can withstand extreme loads in various positions.
Features & benefits include:
- Motorized longitudinal shift of up to 18”
- Reverse Mode allows for patient positioning rotated by 180°
- Carbon fibre modules
- Motorized adjustments
- Automatic component recognition in the leg plate mounting point prevents collisions
- Optional electric auto-drive
- Four hydraulic double swivel castors
- Leg plates may be adjusted individually or synchronously
Sources:
- http://www.maquet.com/int/products/alphamaxx/?ccid=5
Trumpf Medical General Surgery Tables with Imaging Capabilities
TruSystem™ 7000
Billed as ‘a table without limits’, the 7000 is described as a simple concept table.
Features & benefits include:
- Sensor technology that alerts the user when the table or patient is in a compromising position
- Anti-collision protection for when the table is in trendelenburg
- Emergency unlocking system unlocks the table in the event of power failure
- Return to level
- Low-friction, double-jointed casters
- Self-levelling brake
- Remote control and column control panel that use the same icons, colours and shapes
- Self-aligning connect and lock system
- Stainless steel base
TruSystem™ 3000
With its slim design, the 3000’s inner workings are easily accessible for maintenance or service requirements.
Features & benefits include:
- Remote control and column control panel that use the same icons, colours and shapes
- Male/female coupling point system
- Backlit display on remote control
- Narrow column
MARS™
The Mars table comes in two versions: standard and low. The low version is designed to accommodate surgeons while seated, for ENT or neurosurgical surgery.
Features & benefits include:
- Anterior-posterior and 360° radiolucency under the C-arm via carbon fibre segments
- Orthopaedic specific table interchangeability
- Longitudinal slide
SATURN™ Select
A universal table of sorts, the Saturn has a solid design.
Features & benefits include:
- Integrated pneumatic gas spring adjusts the back and leg sections
- Space for feet under the table
- Manual longitudinal slide of 10”
- Carbon fibre segments allow for scanning area for 3D images
Sources:
- https://www.trumpfmedical.com/en/products/or-tables/mobile-or-tables/trusystem-7000/
- https://www.trumpfmedical.com/en/products/or-tables/mobile-or-tables/trusystem-3000/
- https://www.trumpfmedical.com/en/products/or-tables/mobile-or-tables/mars/
- https://www.trumpfmedical.com/en/products/or-tables/mobile-or-tables/saturn-select/
Stryker General Surgery Tables with Imaging Capabilities
Not too long ago, Stryker bought Berchtold. The surgical tables they offer now are the Operon D Series.
OPERON D860 Imaging Table
As with a few other imaging tables mentioned in this article, the Operon D860 also claims to have the best in class height range on the market (class is not defined).
Take a look for yourself at the actual specifications to see which imaging table has the most height range by downloading our technical specifications comparison at the end of this article.
Features & benefits include:
- Top slide
- Standard carbon fiber and sliding tabletop
- Self-compensating hydraulic floor locks
- Easily detachable table sections
- Multi-procedural
OPERON D830 Imaging Table
The Operon D830 offers the ability for use in multiple surgical procedures.
Features & benefits include:
- Carbon fibre tabletop is not standard
- Top slide
- Integrated X-ray cassette channel
- Self-compensating hydraulic floor locks
- Easily detachable table sections
- Back-up system with foot pump and emergency integrated keypad stored in the lift column
Sources:
- http://www.stryker.com/en-us/products/OREquipmentConnectivity/GeneralMultiSpecialtyEquipment/SurgicalTables/OperonDSeries/OPEROND860/index.htm
- http://www.stryker.com/en-us/products/OREquipmentConnectivity/GeneralMultiSpecialtyEquipment/SurgicalTables/OperonDSeries/OPEROND830/index.htm
Conclusion
Congratulations, you’ve reached the end of the article!
Congratulations! You reached the end.
We know it is a lot of information to take in and tried our best to keep it objective without adding too many sales and marketing lingo.
One thing that can definitely be said, and that is there is a ton of noise out there. In all that chaotic ness, we’re trying to be the clear, unbiased, tell-it-how-it-is voice.
Knowing the features and benefits of the different imaging tables is one thing. Being able to compare the technical specifications side-by-side is where you will be able to find the answers you seek.
For example, we had four manufacturers claim that they have the greatest height range. By downloading our Technical Specifications Comparison Excel document below, you can see for yourself.
Additional Resources
Meditek has been selling and remanufacturing surgical imaging tables since 1981.
We sell new Biodex (Canada-wide), new Medstone (Canada-wide), and Skytron tables (Western Canada) and remanufacture any brand or model your heart desires.
Want to know which imaging table has the technical specs you need?
One Comment on “A Complete Review of the Most Popular Imaging Surgery Tables”
Great review!