When it comes to repairs and specific maintenance procedures, keeping nuclear imaging equipment in top working condition can be a real challenge. The complexities involved in medical imaging repair are enormous, and the stakes are huge when it comes to fixing broken equipment and getting it back online.
Those challenges come with the job, and the companies that do it best employ high-level professionals with impressive skills and expertise.
To get an understanding of what’s involved, let’s take a look at some of the issues faced by companies like TTG Imaging Solutions and examine what’s involved in maintaining and repairing nuclear imaging equipment.
Understanding the Process
One of the most important things to understand about medical imaging repair and maintaining nuclear imaging equipment is that the process goes well beyond the equipment itself.
Site planning and installation are both essential and critical to repair and maintenance. Why? Because using this equipment effectively is critical to help keep it from breaking down, a well-planned site and installation process is vital to proper usage.
It’s also important when it comes to removing equipment that requires refurbishing or repair. The overarching idea is to isolate the problem as quickly as possible and implement the fastest possible fix.
Refurbishing as a Part of Repair
Because nuclear imaging equipment is so complex, the repairs tend to be complicated as well. As a result, the equipment is maintained and updated regularly using specific procedures.
Refurbishment is an essential element of the repair process. It’s done regularly on older equipment, and it’s also performed on equipment that breaks down.
What’s involved in refurbishment? The first step is inspection. Field engineers will examine the nuclear imaging equipment on-site to confirm it’s functioning correctly. This includes performing an array of diagnostic tests to rule out serious problems and isolate the specific issues.
The next step is usually decontamination. This is vital, and the team performing decontamination procedures needs to be trained in blood-borne pathogen safety procedures. The decontamination process also includes cleaning chemicals that OSHA must approve, and specific techniques must be used to disinfect the interior and exterior of equipment that’s been repaired or refurbished.
In addition, cosmetic updates and repairs are often performed. The examination necessary to do this can reveal cracks, dents, and scrapes. It can also reveal issues with belts and drives that need to be replaced before they become a problem.
Camera evaluation is also included in this process. If engineers find worn or failing parts, those are automatically replaced, and all the connecting components are carefully checked to ensure they’re performing within accepted medical parameters. If necessary, they’re also recalibrated.
Once the basic procedures and repairs are completed, further troubleshooting may be done. This can reveal wear and tear, along with borderline issues with circuit boards, power supplies, and cabling.
One of the final steps after repair and calibration is to use photos and videos to document what work has been done. This is typically implemented on a before-and-after basis so that repair and refurbishment engineers can see what’s been done if further work becomes necessary.
Personnel, Training, and Qualifications
As important as the repair and refurbishing process, the personnel’s qualifications are just as critical.
Let’s look at the TTG clinical team to understand better how this works. TTG experts typically provide extensive on-site training for all personnel working with the company’s nuclear imaging equipment. That training also extends to the software used to operate the equipment and collect the necessary data.
The qualifications needed to do this are extensive. TTG’s service personnel are OEM-trained and certified, and they typically have over 18 years of experience in all varieties of SPECT, PET, and CT imaging.
That means they can guarantee uptime and provide the highest service quality when it comes to servicing nuclear imaging equipment, along with the necessary clinical solutions.
TTG’s guarantees are also among the best in the business. They include annual service agreements, application support, supplying the necessary materials, and the time required to install them. They’re also experts when it comes to preventive maintenance as well.
The array of services includes 24/7 support, one-hour phone response, 24-hour site response, and a 98% uptime guarantee. To learn more, go to the TTG Imaging Solutions’ website and access the service page. You’ll also find comprehensive listings of equipment and parts that will meet the needs of any medical or clinical application.