A biopsy guide for the BK 5C1e must be built for that transducer’s housing: the 5C1e (type 9085) is a convex abdominal probe used on current BK Medical systems such as the bk3000, bk5000, and bkActiv, and its needle guide mounts on a bracket shaped to the 5C1e head. Guides for other BK convex models are not interchangeable with it. Below is what to check on specifications, needle options, and reprocessing before you order.
Probe and System Compatibility
The BK Medical 5C1e (9085) is a curved-array transducer for abdominal and interventional imaging – liver and kidney biopsies, drainages, and other percutaneous procedures where the operator follows the needle along the system’s on-screen puncture line. The guide assembly for this probe consists of:
- a bracket that clamps onto the 5C1e housing and defines the needle path relative to the imaging plane;
- needle inserts in several gauge sizes, so one bracket serves core biopsy needles as well as finer aspiration needles;
- a sterile probe cover used during the procedure (supplied separately or in kit form).
When ordering, quote the probe type number 9085 together with the 5C1e name – BK Medical identifies transducers by type number, and this is the fastest way for any supplier to confirm the correct bracket. Akicare produces compatible guides for BK Medical probes, including the BK 8823 guide (BSM-005); current models are listed in the biopsy guide category.
Reusable vs. Disposable BK 5C1e Guides
| Criterion | Reusable stainless-steel guide | Disposable guide kit |
|---|---|---|
| Typical service life | Hundreds of sterilization cycles when handled correctly | Single procedure |
| Needle sizing | Interchangeable inserts covering common gauges (verify the insert set supplied with your order) | Fixed slot sizes per kit |
| Cost profile | Higher one-time price, lowest cost per procedure at volume | Low entry price, recurring spend |
| Best fit | Departments running regular biopsy lists | Low-volume sites or strict single-use policies |
Sterilization and Reprocessing Options
Reprocessing method is a practical selection criterion, because it determines consumable cost per procedure and how quickly the guide returns to service.
| Method | Applies to | Practical notes |
|---|---|---|
| Steam autoclave (134°C) | Reusable stainless-steel guides | Standard for all-metal brackets; verify cycle limits in the IFU before purchase |
| High-level disinfection (e.g. OPA, glutaraldehyde) | Reusable metal and some polymer guides | Common where autoclave capacity is limited; check chemical compatibility |
| Single-use sterile kits | Disposable guides with probe cover | No reprocessing workload, but recurring cost per biopsy |
Checklist Before You Buy
- Confirm the exact probe: 5C1e, type 9085. BK has several convex models with similar names and different housings.
- Match the guide angle to your workflow: the bracket’s fixed angle must correspond to the puncture guideline your BK system displays for this probe.
- Check the insert set: make sure the gauge sizes you use for core and fine-needle work are included or orderable.
- Decide on reprocessing: autoclavable metal for volume work, single-use kits for low-frequency use.
If the 5C1e probe itself has crystal dropout, lens wear, or cable faults, guide replacement will not fix the image – see our probe repair service, which typically costs 30-60% of a replacement probe with a 5-10 business day turnaround.
How to Order
Akicare supplies compatible BK 5C1e biopsy guides for hospitals, imaging centers, and equipment dealers. These are compatible accessories, not OEM parts, and choosing a compatible guide typically costs 40-70% less than the OEM equivalent. To confirm fit, send us your probe model and, if possible, a photo of the probe head; we verify bracket geometry against the transducer before shipping.
Request a quote directly on the product page, or use the contact form for volume pricing. If the probe itself is underperforming, our ultrasound probe repair service restores transducers at 30-60% of replacement cost with a typical 5-10 business day turnaround.
