Carbon fiber is a popular material used in many industries including the medical device field, aerospace, and automotive engineering. The fiber-reinforced polymer which contains carbon fibers is extremely strong and lightweight. Although carbon fiber may be more expensive when compared to other materials, the impressive strength-to-weight ratio and rigidity of carbon fiber makes it an excellent candidate for various immobilization and medical support devices. This fiber-reinforced polymer also helps keep radiation doses to a minimum.
Medical Applications of Carbon Fiber
Carbon fiber provides one distinct advantage over other materials in the medical device field, that advantage is that carbon fiber is radiolucent, meaning that it is virtually transparent to x-rays and appears black on x-ray images. The radiolucent quality of carbon fiber makes it an excellent material to support limbs being x-rayed or treated with radiation. This is why you may have noticed more surgical table accessories like carbon fiber armboards appearing in hospitals and clinics.
Patient Positioning Challenges
Medical imaging equipment (X-ray systems and CT scanners) will often present unique patient positioning challenges to medical personnel. Listed below are some of the attributes patient positioning systems will generally require for overall patient safety and image quality:
- Lightweight
- Durability and strength
- Rigidity
- Minimal impact to image quality (e.g. artifacts)
7 Reasons Why You Will Want To Choose Carbon Fiber Armboards
- Fully radiolucent
- High strength-to-weight ratio
- No mounting hardware is required for setup or breakdown
- 180° of lateral rotation
- Easy setup and removal
- Fold together for safe and compact storage
- Two armboard styles (rail mount carbon fiber armboard with quick release swivel and shoulder mount carbon fiber armboard with hexagonal base)
Rail Mount Carbon Fiber Armboard with Quick Release Swivel
Strength And Durability
The rail mount carbon fiber armboard has been engineered to achieve a high degree of strength, durability, and radiolucency. Utilizing a quick release mounting mechanism, the carbon fiber armboard attaches quickly and easily to any surgical table that has a standard side rail.
Radiolucent
This single, radiolucent armboard allows complete imaging of the arm and can be used in conjunction with other carbon fiber tabletops and extensions where ionizing radiation (x-ray) is used for imaging. Ideal for imaging in a variety of medical settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices. This armboard has been designed for use as an imaging platform and is not to be used as a surgical platform.
Rail Mount Carbon Fiber Armboard Specifications
Dimensions
- 26″ Length
- 5.5″ Width
Maximum Capacity Tested Per ISO 6061
- 25 pounds
Aluminum Equivalency
- AAE @ 100 kVp = 1.15mm
Accessories
An optional armboard pad is available and has been specifically designed for the rail mount carbon fiber armboard with quick release swivel. Constructed of high-density comfort foam, the 2″ thick pad is covered with a conductive vinyl cover for easy cleaning and patient comfort.
Shoulder Mount Carbon Fiber Armboard With Hexagonal Base
High Strength-To-Weight Ratio
The shoulder mount carbon fiber armboard has been engineered to provide the highest strength, durability, and radiolucency of any armboard on the market today.
Easy Setup and Breakdown
Simply place the hexagonal base under the surgical table pad. By using the weight of the patient to hold the armboard in place, removal is quick and easy. A rubber brake disc is used to keep the board in position under the weight of the patient’s arm. The unique pivoting attachment allows for a full 180 degree of lateral adjustment, making patient positioning more efficient.
Radiolucent
This shoulder mount radiolucent armboard allows for the complete imaging of the arm and can be used in conjunction with other carbon fiber tabletops and extensions where ionizing radiation (x-ray) is used for imaging. This armboard has been designed for use as an imaging platform and is not to be used as a surgical platform.
Shoulder Mount Carbon Fiber Armboard Specifications
Dimensions
Swivel Base
- 14″ Length
- 18″ Width
Armboard
- 27″ Length
- 5.5″ Width
Maximum Capacity Tested Per ISO 6061
- 25 pounds
Aluminum Equivalency
- AAE @ 100 kVp = 1.15mm
Accessories
An optional armboard pad is available and has been specifically designed for the shoulder mount carbon fiber armboard with quick release swivel. Constructed of high density comfort foam, the 2″ thick pad is covered with a conductive vinyl cover for easy cleaning and patient comfort.
Material Of Choice
These two unique carbon fiber armboards are ideal for improving positioning accuracy for optimum imaging results. The physical properties and characteristics of carbon fiber make it an excellent material for use in the medical device field. The impressive strength-to-weight ratio, rigidity and radiolucency of the carbon fiber are attributes that make it the material of choice for supporting limbs being x-rayed or treated with radiation.
Share Your Experience
Have you used carbon fiber in your imaging department? Would you like to share your experience with us? We’d like to hear from you and learn more about your experiences. In an upcoming post, we will discuss how to properly clean and disinfect carbon fiber armboards and pads. Sign up for our blog and we will notify you when this post is available.
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