Featured5 Signs that Your CT Tube is on Its Way Out and What You Can Do About it

If you own a CT machine, you know how important the X-ray tube is. It’s at the heart of the system, and no one wants to learn that there’s something wrong with it. Unfortunately, too many people start caring about their machine when it’s too late and you may have noticed that your scanner doesn’t work as well as it used to. If that is the case, it could very well be that your CT tube is about to give out. Let’s take a look at some of the most common signs to look out for.

You’re Getting a Lot of Errors

If you’re getting an increasing number of error messages, the CT tube might be the cause. Units can handle some level of electrical arcing, but once it gets too much, you will start getting interrupted during scans. So, if you suddenly started experiencing interruptions or they are becoming more frequent, it could be a sign that your tube will be out soon.

Strange Noises

Your CT tube shouldn’t be making any noises, and if it does, then it’s usually a sign that there is an issue with the bearings inside the tube’s casing. That’s because there is an anode inside that is constantly spinning during scans, which eventually causes wear. This is something that should be addressed immediately if you notice it.

The Age of the Machine

There’s also the inevitability that the unit simply needs to be replaced because it’s over its lifespan. But to know that, you have to know the average lifespan for your particular unit.

If you own a GE scanner, we suggest you check out the linked article on the GE CT MX240 X-Ray Tube, which is the one used in the CT Lightspeed Pro, VCT, RT, and Xtra series scanners. You’ll learn about things such as the average lifespan for the GE CT MX240 X-Ray Tube and the price for a replacement one. They also give a few additional indications of when a unit needs to be replaced.

Immediate Shutdown Errors

Immediate shutdown errors could also be a sign that there’s something wrong with your tube. However, it could also be because that you didn’t let it warm up before performing a scan. So, try to wait until it goes through its warm-up sequence first. If the issue persists, then the tube could be the problem.

Changes in Cooling Delays

Another thing you will have to pay special attention to is cooling delays between techniques. If they’re constantly getting longer and longer, it could be a sign that your system is overheating. After a while, this could lead to failure and you may have no choice but to replace the part.

These are just some of the things you should be on the lookout for if you think your CT tube might be nearing the end of its life. Make sure that you act immediately and see if this is indeed a sign of something worse.