What to Consider Before Buying a Refurbished MRI Scanner

By | Date posted: | Last updated: June 1, 2023
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When a medical organization or hospital wants to purchase a new medical device, the manager needs to follow some advice to get the best for his budget and for his patients. Nowadays, there are medical units which are a great solution even though they have been already used. Buying a pre-owned or refurbished MRI scan is a good choice for small medical organizations and hospitals who want to save their amount of money.

Those persons who are looking for a refurbished MRI scanner must know the facts about the equipment and that the equipment is a good investment.

Things to consider before buying a refurbished MRI scanner

  • The MRI warranty type offered by the vendor

The persons who tend to buy refurbished MRI scanners should be interested in the length of offered warranties and especially which parts and services are covered with this type of document. They must comprehend what is the best option for them and their budget and ask for short-term or extended warranties for the refurbished MRI machine.  Keep in mind to ask the vendor if the warranty covers the services with the coils, compressor, cold head, and chiller. If the buyer decides to buy the refurbished MRI scanner he must be sure that the warranty covers all of the integral parts of the equipment.

  • It is true that the refurbished machines are not just used machines

All persons who need a new or refurbished MRI scanner must consider the fact that there is a big difference between used and refurbished MRI machine. The following services are done to refurbished MRI scanner machines:

  • Internal and external cleaning, removing of the dust and complete decontamination of the MRI scanner.
  • Essential report about mechanical performance including component checkup,
  • Restoration of the old nozzles, pipes, hoses, and worn out mechanical parts. Body parts restoration is also performed involving painting and denting job. All damaged decals and keypad overlays are also replaced.
  • Keep in mind that every component with fail function are first tested and if needed they are repaired or replaced. Software updates are offered if the MRI scanner is not initially updated.
  • Machine calibration is done, and one-year warranty is included against all parts which are provided.

All persons who need a refurbished MRI scanner should consider the fact that these machines can function properly and effectively as a new machine without any damage or compromise.

  • How comfortable would the patient be?

When a patient is told that he should get an MRI scan he gets anxious because of the closed space, tight, or what would the result be. When considering a refurbished MRSI scanner, the buyer should think about a wider cylinder which may increase the comfort of the patient. Another thing to consider is choosing a wider table which may be more comfortable for larger patients. Open high-field MRI machine could also be another attractive solution for most of the patients. Keep in mind that the noise and vibrations may disturb the patient. It is good to know that new models are manufactured according to the standards of the new assessment in technology with a greater control of the noise while making the scan process more convenient for all patients.

  • Is the radiation from a refurbished MRI scanner more and more dangerous?

The medical team, the doctor and the technician, would do everything possible to protect the patient from an extra dose of radiation. The one thing that should be remembered is that patients will have negative effects from the radiation only if they are exposed to large doses and when that procedure is not timely stopped and supervised.

Summary

When purchasing an MRI scanner is not much different from buying a used car. The first thing to consider is the need and the amount of money a buyer is willing to pay to get what he really needs. The next thing is to discover his actual need. However, all medical healthcare providers should consider the following things when purchasing a refurbished MRI scanner for their medical hospital:

  • Intended uses
  • The strength of the MRI scanner
  • Regulatory requirements
  • How many persons a medical professional expects to see
  • Does the proper space fit the equipment?

All these tips are very important and according to the offered possibilities, the final decision is not always easy. Advice is always needed from a medical professional. Also keep in mind that an refurbished MRI scanner is a reasonable investment.

We can assist you with high quality, thoroughly inspected first-class medical imaging equipment medical imaging equipment. To get further information, please feel free to call us at +1 586 917 0245 or email us at sales@kbdentalconsulting.com.

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Impact of Refurbished Medical Equipment on Economy and Environment

By | Date posted: | Last updated: June 1, 2023
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There are so many benefits of a good medical imaging equipment refurbishment procedure. Both, the patients and healthcare providers can see the advantages of this process. This following step is good for many reasons. For example, a large and regional medical organization or hospital which is focused on cancer treatment or neurology could buy the latest MRI or computer tomography scanner every few years. But, the same previous device is still able to produce high-quality diagnostic images and it will still be capable to serve the hospital for the next ten years. In other words, when a manufacturer refurbishes a used medical system properly, the outcome is a medical imaging device which is effective and safe as a new one. This means that high-quality systems which are refurbished represent a competent and valuable diagnostic imaging upgrade solution for those medical centers that are looking to stretch their money amount to buy still-exceptionally good equipment.

The environmental benefits or refurbished medical equipment

The impact of the refurbished medical imaging systems over the environment is for sure worth touting. With the extension of the useful period of medical equipment from 5-8 to 10-14 years or more, it explains the fact that a refurbishment process is a special form of reuse and waste prevention, which contributes to a circular economy.

The refurbishment procedure saves the materials and the energy which are used for producing new medical imaging equipment. The manufacturers consider the energy and materials utilized in the manufacturing, regulatory compliance processes of imaging scanners, and safety testing, it is very important, from an environmental point of view, to increase their service life as much as possible. A sophisticated MRI scanner that weighs 13 tons and involving highly advanced and modern technological components and huge magnets, also the patient gantries, plastic and metal coverings, and other supporting devices is an example of the environmental benefits and it is good to know that there are 25,000 MRI systems which are installed all over the world.

When all these machines in use now and if they are refurbished, and their life is extended, the return of the prime investment of materials and energy is gained maximally. Almost all components of the system stay in place. Keep in mind that around 90% of the material for a system refurbishment could be re-utilized and only 10% of that material needs to be recycled. This process is done with environmentally-friendly procedures by a group of facilities specializing in reclaiming hazardous, rare, and valuable materials. Extending the life of these MRI and CT devices and at the same time, preserving precious resources has resulted in CO2 savings of 150,000 tons over the past several years.

Global economic sustainability

It is good to be informed that the largest markets for refurbished medical equipment are Europe and North America. Another great thing is that both parts are good at efficiently recycling advanced technology components at the end of the service life of the medical imaging equipment. All MRI and CT scanners, which demand the most materials and resources in their manufacturing process, are the most widely refurbished.

Another thing to consider is the fact that refurbished medical imaging devices are restricted in global markets which can benefit the most. New global regulations are appearing which threaten the shipment of used medical electrical equipment for refurbishment or end-of-life recycling.

The world economy knows that to build a strong market, a lot of various options are needed but the most essential is safety and sustainability. The most important thing is that all medical professionals, patients, and the regulators can stay assured that the refurbished process of medical imaging devices will not compromise the diagnostic quality, safety, or the environmental sustainability.

It is known that the circular economy is the main concept of keeping all the resources in use if possible throughout the re-use and recovery procedures. For all healthcare professionals, this could be the reason to purchase refurbished MRI systems.

Summary

The managers of hospitals are challenged from both sides, financially and clinically. Performing more with less is becoming their choice and it is the maximum for the benefit of their economic status. According to many economic experts, there is a circular economy program which claims that the pre-owned and refurbished MRI machines are preferred over buying new and more expensive medical equipment. Another thing to consider is that the health systems don’t respond so easy to innovation and if manufacturers show them cost savings of one million this would be a good thing.

However, all hospitals and medical centers and their managers know what the best option for their business is and what is the best thing to do for delivering great medical care to their patients. It is a matter of priorities and possibilities related to the hospital budget that gives the outcome.

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Which one you Choose among Air Cooled CT Scanner or Water-Cooled CT Scanner System

By | Date posted: | Last updated: June 1, 2023
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There are so many specialized electronic parts in the CT scanners that are working very hard to emit and detect x-rays. They build an enormous amount of heat. This can be hazardous to the function of the CT if it is not stopped. To keep the CT cool, there are two available solutions which you can find on the market. The offered options are systems which are cooled by air and systems which are cooled by water.

It is good to know that the cooling components are a major requirement when we talk about modern and multi-slice CT systems which are created to accommodate up to 100kW of tube power. To prevent an over-heat process, you need to keep the system cool. Another thing to keep in mind is that the final decision about which type of cool system is most suitable for the medical center depends on the location that the CT will be put in. But, if you replace an old system, you may already have a cooling method.

There are considerations which may be taken when deciding to use an air-cooled system over a water-cooled.

Air-cooled system method

In this type of system, the heat created is stopped to the ambient air throughout the external cover parts of the gantry via a fan. If the medical center doesn’t have a water source such as plant water system or a cooling tower, then an air-cooled system is a perfect match. This method is more expansive.

The advantages of the usage of the air-cooled systems are:

  • The amount of preventative maintenance is lower
  • There are no additional worries about the quality of the used water
  • There is no need to buy or maintain an external chiller
  • Even though they are more expensive than the water-cooled systems, in the long-term they might save money
  • These systems tend to be noisier and the dust or the debris, the fans accumulate in the gantry
  • These systems have a hard time when it comes to adjusting to the temperature changes in the room
  • These systems have a smaller footprint when compared to the water-cooled

Water-cooled chiller

It is good to know that in the case when a water-cooler is used, the heat created is rejected by a water source more exactly by a cooling tower plant water-cooling system. In the case where the medical center has provided a water source as mentioned above, then this system is a suitable solution. In this case, the working people only need to check if the existing water system has enough capacity to serve the additional heat the cooler would put into the system.

The advantages of the water-cooling systems are:

  • There is no noise which would be generated by the fans
  • There would be no dirt and dust caused by the heavy airflow of the fans
  • There would be no additional HVAC accommodations for room
  • To reject the heat, these systems utilize a cooling tower or a plant chilled water system
  • If the medical center does not have a water source, the manager should think about purchasing an external chiller
  • Water-cooling systems are a great option for rooms that have inconsistent temperature control because the changes of the temperature have a smaller effect than the air-cooled
  • These systems have a lower purchase price

Keep in mind that the water-cooling systems use high-quality water which needs to be maintained throughout its lifespan. If the maintenance of the water-cooling system is not regular and in a top shape, it may reduce the life of the components (from the temperature changing), the consistency of the image during the scanning process, and valve wear.

Summary

There are so many CT scanners which use one of the mentioned cooling methods. The final decision is made according to the maintenance and the installation. No matter if you would install an air-cooled or a water-cooled system, the environment of the room should match or simply exceed the temperature, load, and the humidity specifications which are given in the CT manual.

In both systems, there are advantages and disadvantages over the water-cooled and air-cooled CT systems. Deciding which one is the most convenient for the medical center depends on if the facility already has a water source and the personal preferences of the maintenance process. There is also a wide range of refurbished or used CT scanners which may be suitable for purchasing.

Another great advice is to ask a proper person to help you in choosing the best option for your budget and for your medical team. Make a good evaluation of your space and water sources to spend your money and time more effectively.

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How to evaluate your MRI medical equipment for refurbishment

By | Date posted: | Last updated: June 1, 2023
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Changes are a constant part of medical imaging systems. Because of technological expansion and advances, it is more than sure that new conditions and other things are happening in medical imaging services. This is a challenge for the managers of the hospitals and clinics because they want to have the latest technology updates to satisfy the needs of their patients and as well as a challenge for the businesses who sell MRI medical equipment.

It is good to remind here that every type of medical imaging device needs application advancements. This means that many of the devices are aging, and all managers shouldn’t be worried about this fact. They don’t have to buy a new system in order to satisfy the needs of patients and to be in coordination with new industry standards. The aging devices could be updated in order to complete the new levels of advanced performances.

According to the data, the old technology comes with higher possibilities of failures and breakdowns. This means that when the imaging systems are out of date, the list of the patients with uncompleted imaging is increased. When this happens, the medical providers are getting frustrated and at the same time, the interventions have to be delayed. This is not good for the managers too, because they lost not only time but also money.

Here is a list of several questions which can help to determine what the right course of action to take.

  • How will this system provide benefits for the patients?
  • Will it help in reaching the goal to satisfy the needs of patients?
  • Will it deliver better care and comfort for the patients?
  • Will the imaging system improve the capabilities of diagnostic images?
  • Will it be great for patient attraction?
  • Does this make financial sense?
  • How long could this system serve the needs of the facility?
  • Will it allow developing new diagnostic services?

 

If the management team of the hospital think carefully and answer the above listed questions, the final decision could be easier to make. The team should consult also a good company and their experts. They could help in answering the questions and to finally decide which system would be the best option for the facility. Instead of buying new imaging systems, the managers should consider the refurbishment process. The refurbishment MRI equipment offer impressive service, parts and guarantee.

The refurbishment process

When the team decides to do the refurbishment procedure, they bring the system to their center. The workers from the service center carefully disinfect the old system. All parts and components are exposed to certified technical and functional tests. The whole equipment is cleaned from the inside and outside and all worn or damaged parts are restored and replaced with the original spare parts. Worn covers are often repainted or simply replaced.

The standard procedure of the refurbishment process is the upgrade of the system to the latest software version available. Some companies may customize configurations and install some original alternatives according to specific requirements of the client. In order to provide the best quality, companies receive new and original tubes.

Another thing to consider is that the refurbishment process undergoes an electrical safety test and also an extensive quality control process. Finally, the refurbished devices come with an at least one-year warranty from the original manufacturer.

Summary

All the manager teams in hospitals and medical centers should know that refurbishment is more than replacing worn parts and cleaning the equipment. It means that the lifetime of the device is extended. This is good for the environment and for the circular economy. The process deserves a place as part of the eco-line family.

Those people who are responsible for making the decision about the refurbishment process, the best is to follow the advice of the manufacturer. They should also talk about the latest advancements before the refurbishment process. Even though, they should be aware that the system they bought will for sure need some improvements after several years. That’s why the best thing is to talk about this topic and to know when to expect the refurbishment process to start.

When you answer the previous questions and you talk with an expert from this field you will be on the right track. Keep in mind that aging devices could always be updated and upgraded as a new one. So, hold to the expert’s opinion and together create better conditions for both, the hospital and the patients.

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