Sensible Solutions for Refurbished Radiology

We’ve come a long way, baby, especially when it comes to medical imaging.  But before we get to the latest and greatest in MRIs and CT Scans, let’s time travel, shall we?

It’s no secret that helium is essential to the process of MRI imaging.  Helium becomes a liquid at very low temperatures, and facilitates the superconductivity that MRI imaging depends upon.  In 2015, the amount of helium consumed from health care applications exceeded two billion cubic feet.  A new report from Technavio forecasts grow of helium health care consumption at a compound annual growth of 7 percent through 2020. 

It’s should be obvious that advancements in technology have always had the ability to fundamentally change the world of healthcare, however there are some fields like radiology where technological improvements have changed the very nature of the profession.

The holidays are approaching and we may have some extra time to catch up on some medical imaging articles.  Atlantis Worldwide would like to share some of the Medical Imaging Sites that they love to visit.  Relax and enjoy!

Even when you work in the world of radiology it can be difficult at times to understand the differences between various models of imaging equipment. And when your job is buying, selling or requesting service or maintenance for an MRI, CT, Digital X-ray, C-Arm or PET/CT – those small differences become very important.

It’s October, which means it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month—and there’s no better time for a discussion about how to choose your next digital mammography system.  The good news is, you don’t have to buy a new one—there is a wide range of pre-owned and refurbished digital mammography equipment on the market that can serve your clinic, hospital or practice.

Once a niche hobby for tech savvy makers, 3D printing has become big business. Today, additive manufacturing, the technical term for 3D printing, is being used around the world in almost every sector of business. While its uses vary in size and scope, it seems as if almost anything can be created. Enterprising professionals from different fields are using 3D printers to create everything from one-of-a-kind prototypes to hard to find parts, food, and even living tissue.

Finally, there’s a CT Scanner that performs scans on pediatric patients without the need for sedation!  What a relief for parents, children, physicians and technicians, alike.  Siemens has launched the new SOMATOM Dual Source CT Scanner and it’s been approved by the FDA. 

Are changes coming that will affect the sale and service of medical equipment and medical imaging equipment like MRI and CT scanners? Unfortunately there is no clear answer right now. What is known is that this October the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will hold a public workshop focused on the ““Refurbishing, Reconditioning, Rebuilding, Remarketing, Remanufacturing, and Servicing of Medical Devices Performed by Third-Party Entities and Original Equipment Manufacturers.”

As healthcare facilities continue to try to find ways to cut costs and maintain high quality service, more and more are purchasing used and refurbished medical imaging devices.  And more and more of them are looking at used and refurbished ultrasound equipment, versus MRI and nuclear imaging devices. That’s no surprise, since ultrasound is used in more than 900 million exams each year, including uses in obstetrics, cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, neurology, gynecology and more. Ultrasound technology is also less expensive, as a rule, and doesn’t require ionizing radiation.  It’s also not invasive, which makes it more popular.