MRI scanners are expensive, which makes it all the more frustrating if yours begins to malfunction or needs repair. It’s never
convenient either, with patients in the waiting room that have to be rescheduled as you wait for a repair technician. But, there are a few things you can do to avoid MRI issues that require a technician. Here is a list of the most likely issues you can have with your MRI scanner and what you can do about them.
Power Outages And Glitches
Your MRI scanner could have issues with power due to a variety of reasons, including bad weather and out-of-date software. You can’t control the weather, but if you experience a power outage due to a storm, just reset the circuit breaker and it should correct the power problems. The best way to avoid power outages due to outdated software or internal computer malfunctions is to perform regular updates and maintenance. It’s wise to check for software updates on a regular basis.
Image Artifacts
When MRI scanners get older, sometime the quality of the images suffer. There can be lines or graininess in the images. You should first clean the machine. If artifacts remain, it could be caused by wear and tear or damage to the coils. If you perform routine maintenance and have the coils cleaned, you can avoid the appearance of image artifacts. If you are experiencing artifacts, an experience repair technician can usually correct this problem—and it’s usually fairly inexpensive.
Poor Cooling
To maintain a working environment, an MRI Scanner needs precise temperature control. Without it, your machine could lock up and disallow scanning until the temperature cools off. That means you’ll have patients waiting for their appointments. Several culprits of poor cooling is the level of helium, poor cooling by the cold head or your heat exchanger might not be cooling the water that pumps through the machine. Routine maintenance should be performed by a trained technician to avoid these issues and keep your MRI scanner running beautifully.
Extreme Vibrations
Extreme vibrations can cause loud noises in an MRI scanner. To create imaging, an MRI machine causes a large static magnetic field. This creates a lot of heat, which can be controlled by cooling mechanism. The Cold Head moves continually, 24 hours every day. After 18-24 months, it needs to be properly cared for. Many Cold Heads are not directly monitored by all MRI scanners. Because you’re not notified that there is an issue, it can result in extreme vibrations, poor cooling and loud noises. Routine preventative maintenance can help you avoid these issues entirely. Be sure to bring in a trained technician to maintain cold head function.
Talk To An Expert
The experts at Atlantis Worldwide have been helping healthcare facilities find ideal medical imaging systems for 30 years. Refurbished or used medical imaging equipment can provide the performance you want and the service warranties you need at a much lower price. If you have questions about the value of your current systems or the need for new ones, talk to Atlantis Worldwide today.
Some blogs you may have missed:
- The Future of Helium & MRIs
- MRI Cold Head Tips
- How Much Is Your MRI Worth?
- Solutions For MRI Coil Failure
- Should your business lease or buy medical imaging equipment?
- Free MRI Resources
Meet the author: Vikki Harmonay
