How Important Are Quality MRI Parts and Preventative Maintenance for Your Machine?

Damaged or worn out MRI parts can cause your machine to be inoperable possibly for days. This results in lost profitability and productivity. It is important to ensure that MRI parts are working properly and that your machine has preventative maintenance. Quality parts, along with routine care and maintenance can keep unexpected breakdowns from happening. Just as an automobile needs regular oil changes to run properly, MRI machines require maintenance as well. This is one of the most important things that you can do to protect your investment. Here are some other things that you can do to ensure that your MRI remains fully-functional and stays in optimal condition:

·         Choose Quality Parts for Replacement: in order to avoid repeat costly breakdowns of your MRI machine choose high-quality MRI parts that will last. Less-expensive, low-quality parts do not provide the best performance for your MRI. In addition they do not last as long. First-rate replacement parts ensure that you are getting the best performance from your machine. There is no need to choose pricey parts from the manufacturer. Instead go with a high-quality replacement part from a trusted parts supplier. Make sure that all parts are thoroughly tested and warranted against defects. This will provide you with an economical solution to reduce the cost of MRI ownership and help ensure the best returns throughout the life of your MRI. 

·         Consider a Service Agreement: service agreements help keep your MRI in top condition for longer periods. There are a variety of service agreements available to meet any need. You can choose from full-service agreements. These include all maintenance, parts and repairs. Preventative service agreements (on the other hand) minimize the cost of services by allowing you to choose how many service visits you want in a coverage period. These service agreements offer a lower price, yet allow you to have regular maintenance performed by a qualified engineer.

General Knowledge for MRI Scanning Safety

Most scientists believe that the magnetic fields in medical imaging are nonhazardous to the human body. Since standard MRI equipment does not use ionizing radiation, the contrast materials and parts have an extremely low incidence of harmful side effects. Despite these claims, medical facilities should still strive to maintain an extremely safe environment during imaging services in order to prevent bodily damage and even death. Here are some tips to ensuring optimal safety when performing an MRI scan. 

General Knowledge for MRI Scanning Safety 

Most MRI scans occur between 20 and 60 minutes, and patients should not experience any discomfort. In order to ensure optimal safety, patients and medical staff should be thoroughly screened for metal objects prior to entering the scan room. These metal objects are often found inside the body in the form of implants including:

• Pacemakers, which may malfunction during a scan or when near the MRI machine.
• Aneurysm clips in the brain can be torn, which will cause damage to arteries if the magnet from the scanning equipment or parts moves them.
• Metallic fragments in the eye could cause damage or blindness when in contact with the MRI machine.
• Dental implants may be dislodged while in the presence of a strong magnetic field.
• Modern surgical implants such as artificial joints, stents, and staples are less likely to be a safety risk, but patients should consult with their doctor as some orthopedic hardware can distort images in the scan.

           
Small objects like scissors, paperclips, stethoscopes, keys, and jewelry can serve as dangerous projectiles when forcefully pulled from the pockets or the body without warning. Slightly bigger items such as vacuum cleaners, oxygen tanks, heart monitors, patient stretchers, and IV poles can pose a huge risk as well. 

Most medical facilities will not place pregnant women in a MRI machine due to the limited research of the biological effects of magnetic fields on a developing fetus. The decision to scan pregnant women is determined on a case-by-case basis between the MRI radiologist and the patient’s obstetrician. 

Advantages of the Hitachi Oasis Open High-Field MRI

The Hitachi Oasis Open High-Field MRI features a patient-centric design that can successfully accommodate patients who may be difficult to scan. Challenging patients such as pediatric, geriatric, bariatric, and claustrophobic also appreciate this open architecture environment. Here are some of the most known advantages to using this advanced MRI machine on patients who have unique scanning needs.

Pediatric Imaging 
The Hitachi Oasis Open High-Field MRI features an innovative open architecture design that ultimately present parents with the opportunity to have continuous contact with their child during the MRI scan. The possibility for constant parent and child interaction ensures that even the smallest patients have the ideal MRI experience. The unlimited access usually results in low sedation rates among children as these young patients will feel comforted by their parents throughout the entire scan. 

Geriatric Imaging 
The open architecture design is also great for geriatric patients who would like to have a friend or loved one nearby throughout the exam. Additionally, the practical feature enables technologists to easily observe the patient from anywhere around the magnet. The ultra wide geriatric imaging area enhances accessibility and comfort for older patients as the 32-inch table can be lowered to 20 inches. The adjustable table greatly reduces the strain and struggle during the set-up stages. 

Bariatric Imaging 
This state-of-the-art adjustable table also accommodates larger patients who may have difficulty positioning themselves on the machine. The table can withstand a maximum weight of 660 pounds, and even accepts patients with broad shoulders. The table is equipped with 3-axis motorized movement for a technologist’s convenience. The machine also offers an XL Flex Body coil, which is the largest receiver coil available that delivers a superb image quality. 

Claustrophobic Imaging
This MRI product is recognized for offering patients an anxiety-free environment. Because the open architecture design is complete with a wide table, patients have an unobstructed view on their left and right as well as plenty of space to reposition their bodies during the scan. Designed with RADAR technology, the machine’s ability to account for movement throughout the scan reduces rescans and improves image quality. 

General Knowledge for MRI Scanning Safety

Most scientists believe that the magnetic fields in medical imaging are nonhazardous to the human body. Since standard MRI equipment does not use ionizing radiation, the contrast materials and parts have an extremely low incidence of harmful side effects. Despite these claims, medical facilities should still strive to maintain an extremely safe environment during imaging services in order to prevent bodily damage and even death. Here are some tips to ensuring optimal safety when performing an MRI scan. 

General Knowledge for MRI Scanning Safety 

Most MRI scans occur between 20 and 60 minutes, and patients should not experience any discomfort. In order to ensure optimal safety, patients and medical staff should be thoroughly screened for metal objects prior to entering the scan room. These metal objects are often found inside the body in the form of implants including:

• Pacemakers, which may malfunction during a scan or when near the MRI machine.
• Aneurysm clips in the brain can be torn, which will cause damage to arteries if the magnet from the scanning equipment or parts moves them.
• Metallic fragments in the eye could cause damage or blindness when in contact with the MRI machine.
• Dental implants may be dislodged while in the presence of a strong magnetic field.
• Modern surgical implants such as artificial joints, stents, and staples are less likely to be a safety risk, but patients should consult with their doctor as some orthopedic hardware can distort images in the scan.

Small objects like scissors, paperclips, stethoscopes, keys, and jewelry can serve as dangerous projectiles when forcefully pulled from the pockets or the body without warning. Slightly bigger items such as vacuum cleaners, oxygen tanks, heart monitors, patient stretchers, and IV poles can pose a huge risk as well. 

Most medical facilities will not place pregnant women in a MRI machine due to the limited research of the biological effects of magnetic fields on a developing fetus. The decision to scan pregnant women is determined on a case-by-case basis between the MRI radiologist and the patient’s obstetrician. 

How to Solve the Most Common MRI Machine Problems

MRI machines are one of the most common equipments that doctors use to detect certain medical conditions. Despite their distinguished effectiveness, these products are still prone to occasional malfunction. Here are the solutions to a MRI machine’s prevalent service problems. 

Helium is Low 
In order to produce accurate results, MRI machines require the use of superconductors to create a powerful magnetic field during the imagining. Superconducting magnets can perform their job more efficiently when they are kept cool by liquid helium. When helium levels are low in MRI machines, there is most likely a problem with the cooling system. Because the rate of helium dissipation increases as the amount of helium in the system decreases, a MRI machine with low helium levels should be repaired immediately. According to experts, professionals are urged to check the helium levels in a MRI machine at least once a week. 

Power Outages
Most MRI machines are subject to power outages during unfavorable weather conditions. When these power outages occur, the MRI machine has problems starting and shutting down. These glitches can usually be resolved by simply resetting the breakers for the section of the building that houses this medical equipment. Afterwards, professionals may need to fully reset the system on the MRI machine. 

Image Artifacts 
Image artifacts such as graininess and lines are any features that appear in the medical scan, which were not present in the original imaged object. These abnormalities in the medial scan are most likely due to wear and tear on the MRI coils. MRI coils can be easily repaired by an experienced service provider who specializes in MRI equipment. In order to prevent damage to the coils, professionals should periodically inspect the condition of these parts. 

Temperature Problems
MRI machines are prone to lock-up and discontinue scanning when the temperature in the system is not cool enough. One way to ensure that the temperature is maintained at the specified levels is to feel the incoming water line, which should be as cold as a drink in a refrigerator. Contact a local MRI service group if temperature problems persist.