Buying CT on the secondary market
The single biggest variable in a used CT purchase is the x-ray tube. A scanner with a low-hour or brand-new tube is worth substantially more than an identical unit near end of tube life, so every CT listing on NexusRad states tube count and hours where the seller has them.
Slice count sets the clinical envelope: 16 and 32 slice systems handle routine head, chest and abdomen work; 64 to 128 slice systems open up CT angiography and radiation-therapy simulation; 256 and above are cardiac and function territory.
Ask for a recent phantom QA report and the last field service report. Both are cheap to request and tell you more about a scanner than any photo of the gantry.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a used CT scanner cost?
Used 16-slice CT scanners often sell in the $40,000 to $90,000 range, 64-slice systems roughly $90,000 to $250,000, and recent 128-slice or higher systems from about $250,000 upward. Tube condition moves the price more than model year.
How many hours does a CT tube last?
Most CT x-ray tubes deliver somewhere between 100,000 and 500,000 slices or several years of routine scanning. Replacement tubes are one of the largest recurring costs of CT ownership, so ask for current tube hours in writing.
Can a used CT scanner be used for radiation therapy simulation?
Yes, provided it has a large bore, a flat therapy tabletop, external laser interfacing and the simulation software package. Confirm those options are included rather than assuming a diagnostic CT can be converted cheaply.