HTM professionals address a variety of issues daily from a fleet of patient monitors in need of PMs to a ventilator in need of repair in the middle of a complicated surgery. These heroes behind the scenes need the correct tools and devices to be able to do their vital work at health care facilities around the world. TechNation interviewed subject matter experts to learn about the latest test equipment features, updates and more.

Participants in the 2024 test equipment roundtable article are:

  • Pronk Technologies Vice President of Business Development Greg Alkire
  • Healthmark, A Getinge company, Special Projects Manager Jahan Azizi
  • Southeastern Biomedical Associates Inc. Co-Owner Boyd S. Campbell, CBET, CRES, CHTM
  • RTI Group Vice President of Sales-North America Steve Holmes
  • Radcal Co-Director of Global Sales Steve Jack
  • IMT.Analytics Inc. Director of Business Development Kerwin Sanger
  • BC Group International Vice President of Sales & Marketing Tim Welby

Q: What is one piece of test equipment every HTM professional needs and why?
Alkire: For HTM professionals performing service on the most common medical devices in a facility, they need a range of test equipment. This is one reason they asked us to provide a “tool bag” that contained the devices that are in high demand. The BMET PACK was created for this purpose – a complete, portable toolkit the HTM professional can configure with the test equipment that matches their needs, including all the standard accessories. They can sling the BMET PACK over their shoulders, and it can hold their laptop or tablet, too. This portable solution makes it easy for biomedical engineers to have all their critical tools ready in a single, portable pack.

Azizi: McGan Insulation Tester. According to ANSI/AAMI ST79 8.2.1, “Insulated electrical current instruments are susceptible to physical and mechanical damage and degradation related to repeat use. Defects in insulation are not always visually detectable; some are only detectable through use of insulation and continuity testing devices. … Damage to insulated instruments including cords can occur during normal use, processing, contact with sharp instruments, and use of high voltage.” (AAMI).

Campbell: A knowledgeable technician is the most critical “piece of test equipment” in any testing environment. While devices and tools provide essential data and functionality, it’s the technician’s expertise that interprets, diagnoses and effectively utilizes those tools. Understanding the nuances of the equipment, knowing how to troubleshoot, and being able to adapt to various scenarios are invaluable skills that no device can fully replace. In essence, the combination of technical know-how and proper equipment will ensure accurate testing and reliable results.

Holmes: Your diagnostic imaging X-ray test equipment needs will depend on your specific testing requirements. RTI’s Piranha, Cobia, and Mako meters provide comprehensive solutions for all X-ray applications, while our full line of probes and accessories ensures flexibility for expanding departments. With advancements driven by our Ocean Next software, RTI continues to lead innovation, streamlining workflow and ensuring traceability and compliance.

Jack: A versatile X-ray test meter designed to adapt to new technology is a must. Radcal’s Accu-Gold+ T3 and T3 Professional X-ray QA meters meet both the user’s need for quick checks and in-depth Excel reporting tasks. These meters, coupled with our AG3 software offers users machine specific preset profiles. These profiles provide the user with single exposure results without having to do manual instrument or software setting changes. Profiles simplify the measurement process.

Sanger: A high-accuracy, easy-to-use, quality, flow analyzer. There is a myriad of devices in a hospital that produce gas flows and pressures. Ensuring their accuracy is crucial to patient safety.

Welby: It’s a toss-up between a multi-meter and electrical safety analyzer. They are the most widely used pieces of testing equipment.

Q: How has test equipment changed over the years? What are some of the latest features?
Alkire: Test equipment has evolved greatly from years past. HTM professionals often used to share large, benchtop devices, whereas now they have the ability to utilize portable, durable and more affordable solutions. Also, advancements in the test equipment user interface has opened a new frontier. Wireless communication solutions allow technicians to use their smart devices to control the test equipment, run the manufacturer’s and/or the organization’s AEM procedures, and electronically capture all the test results. This streamlines the testing of a medical device, eliminates the manual paperwork and provides greater accuracy of the tests being performed and the documentation. Pronk has worked closely with the HTM community to provide such a solution. Pronk Mobilize Wireless Solution saves the HTM professional significant time versus having to do this manually as you traditionally have to do with a standard piece of test equipment.

Azizi: The earlier versions were made for industries. They were not user-friendly and safe to use. The McGan is manufactured with a rechargeable battery. The insulation tester a) maintains applied test voltage with a constant current source; b) features full test current at low voltages; c) limited-output current for operational safety; d) easy-to-read LED indicators; and e) an LED display of alarm and battery charge.

Campbell: Biomedical test equipment has evolved significantly over the years, driven by advancements in technology, a focus on patient safety and the increasing complexity of medical devices. Test equipment is now more compact and portable than just a few years ago. In addition, connectivity has come a long way where test devices are capable of being automated and then also taking it a step further of integrating into a CMMS. This data can now be analyzed to look for trends to justify AEMs or altering PM schedules.

Holmes: Today’s HTM professionals should explore RTI’s latest solutions, designed to eliminate manual data entry and future-proof your workflow. Key features to look for include plug-and-play probes, quick setup with 100m Bluetooth, options for both invasive and non-invasive mA/mAs measurements, automated reporting, and customized test procedures that minimize tube heat, all ensuring a more efficient and streamlined process.

Jack: In the field of diagnostic X-ray QA “ease of use” is very important. So, over the years, Radcal has designed meters that make the end user’s measurements less complicated. The fewer meter settings the user has to change saves time and money. Preset profiles for quicker measurement time is essential. Being able to capture multiple regions of interest with one exposure is a game changer. Selecting a standalone meter that also has computer connectivity with report generation capability improves productivity.

Sanger: The biggest changes in test equipment are in their user interfaces. Today’s devices are feature rich and if they are well designed, they are intuitive to use and configurable. They should streamline the workflow to help biomeds gain efficiency in testing and reporting.

Welby: Bluetooth/app capabilities are expanding with focus on integration to CMMS systems. Developing equipment with touch screen displays is a plus to the end users by creating a more intuitive experience while using a piece of equipment.

Q: What are the most important things to look for in a test equipment manufacturer?
Alkire: It is important to consider a test equipment company as a partner who provides the HTM professional with products that can withstand the rigors of servicing medical devices. This should be a partner whom you can contact not only for technical assistance but also for training and education regarding best practices when performing service. The company should show a willingness to incorporate your feedback into new product designs and/or toward enhancing existing products. In addition, the test equipment partner should provide products with a path for product growth as more features are introduced. Of course, having a strong warranty and reliability are always must-haves.

Azizi: User friendliness and safety for the operator. The earlier versions were not used by technicians; they were cumbersome and hard to use. McGan is designed with users in mind.

Campbell: When selecting biomedical test equipment, it is essential to consider several key factors to ensure safety, accuracy and efficiency in a health care setting. First, it is important that the test device you are considering is the right tool for the job and meets the need. Secondly, a device must deliver accurate and reliable results. Whether it is measuring electrical safety, performance of a ventilator, or calibration of an IV pump, accuracy is non-negotiable. Lastly, the manufacturer needs to have the highest quality available. With budgets getting tighter, biomeds are needing devices to work longer before needing replacement. One other consideration is, just like patient care devices, it should be determined if on-site support of the manufacturer is important.

Holmes: Your next X-ray QA investment should provide a comprehensive solution for routine checks, service events and preventative maintenance. Beyond considering support, service and total cost of ownership, it’s essential to choose a manufacturer with a strong legacy of innovation and mastery in R&D, not just minor updates. RTI combines decades of expertise with a commitment to pioneering X-ray safety and precision. Look for equipment that’s reliable, precise and consistent, backed by a manufacturer offering a 2-year warranty and 2-year OEM-recommended calibration cycle, quick turnaround times and extensive online training and support.

Jack: In X-ray imaging quality assurance, the lifetime of an instrument is critically important and varies greatly. Some providers offer service and support for 10, 20, even 40 years while others terminate service of systems after as little as 5-10 years. Since these instruments have strict calibration and service requirements, the relationship one has with their provider is as important as the instrument itself. Look for a longstanding provider that can be your partner in the industry.

Sanger: The manufacturer should have experience and expertise in the field of both medical and biomedical devices. Many companies simply acquire or develop devices to sell without a true understanding of the end user’s needs. The manufacturer should also be very customer focused before and after the sale. They should be responsive and supportive of their customers.

Welby: The availability of equipment, parts, calibrations (on-site and depot). Listening to the customers’ needs and formulating a solution to meet/exceed their needs. One that stands by their products and is easy to work with. Finally, supporting the customer after the sale.

Q: What tool or testing device are you the most excited about right now?
Alkire: We are very pleased with the introduction of our latest product, the Pressure MAX Digital Pressure Meter. It has been very well-received by the HTM community who, at the same time, needed some additional solutions for challenges they were experiencing. So, in hearing that, we introduced a new tool to help, which provides the capability to generate pressure in an easy and precise way, and it’s called the Pronk Pressure Inflator. It is a manual hand pump that can generate positive and negative pressures with the ability to set coarse and fine pressure adjustments. It can be used with the Pronk Pressure MAX, SimCube NIBP Simulator, and the FlowTrax IV Pump Analyzer, significantly reducing the time to test due to the ability to set accurate pressure test points quickly.

Azizi: The insulation and continuity testers. These devices are designed with patient safety in mind.

Campbell: The biggest leaps made recently are in IV pump testing. With so many IV pumps within the hospital and the need to PM them in a timely manner, greater pressure is on the technician to get them completed quickly, but thoroughly. With automation such as the Fluke Biomedical Infusion Device analyzer that includes their built-in automation of OneQA and the ability to test 4 IV pumps at one time reduces the workload and minimizes the potential for human error.

Holmes: Mako! Mako is our new and cutting-edge solution that transforms X-ray testing with its plug-and-play simplicity and groundbreaking sensor technology. Offering best-in-class accuracy and an unmatched range of applications, Mako delivers unparalleled efficiency. You can place Mako probes in any orientation within the X-ray beam to measure kVp, time, HVL, total filtration, dose, and more, while enjoying detailed waveform presentations. With options to add mAs, DAP, CTDI, and light measurements, Mako is the most versatile and advanced meter available today.

Jack: We are very proud to introduce our brand new T3’s X-ray QA meter with unmatched Profile Technology. Profiles are used to define the measurement process. They spell out trigger parameters, filtration requirements, the breakdown of the measurement (such as having a scout pulse) and the end of the pulse. Special calibrations are built into the profiles eliminating the need for user meter settings interface. Profiles allow you to specify different techniques for special measurements rather than relying on across-the-board catch-all techniques. Simply select the machine specific profile and start making measurements – it’s that easy!

Sanger: There are two. First, our library of apps that are resident on our FlowAnalyser PF-300 PRO and our CITREX H5 ventilator testers. Apps guide the user through testing procedures of specific ventilators per the manufacturer’s specifications and provide reports populated with values captured by the analyzer. Second is our PC based FlowLab software that enhances all our flow analyzers. FlowLab uses data provided by the analyzers to create custom reports and gives the user the ability to build their own testing sequences.

Welby: Working with the different CMMS companies and OEMs to integrate the flow of information from our MyBCmobile app to their platform.

Q: What else do you think TechNation readers need to know about test equipment?
Alkire: Having the right accessories can make a big difference during service calls. A portable battery designed to meet the demands of biomedical engineering is one such example. We are pleased to introduce the Pronk Power Bank, a lithium polymer battery that is rated for 15000mAh, 22.5 watts. It provides two output ports (USB-A and USB-C) plus wireless inductive charging for smart devices and watches. Most importantly, on a single charge, it runs over 1000 NIBP readings for the SimCube NIBP Simulator, powering the SimCube even while being recharged. It weighs only 13.5 oz. (380 g.) and is just 3.4” x 3.4” X 1.2” with a LED Battery Status Display and a type A input plug. This will provide more versatility and extended battery performance for the test equipment and your smart devices.

Azizi: Test equipment devices are designed to detect invisible problems. These devices help make medical devices ready-safe for patient use.

Campbell: When it comes to biomedical testing equipment, understanding its purpose, functionality, and significance is crucial for technicians, health care providers, and patients alike. Many times, having the right device not only makes the life of the biomedical technician easier but can reduce overall costs with improved workflow, reduction of service agreements and standardized testing. Lastly, if we as technicians can do something to make overall patient care safer and assist health care providers deliver better patient care, we should.

Holmes: This is an ideal time to upgrade your X-ray test equipment. Many HTM professionals are still relying on meters based on outdated 2012 technology. Moving to a modern solution, such as RTI’s Mako, will streamline workflows, improve accuracy, and keep your systems aligned with current standards. RTI’s trade-in program offers a cost-effective way to transition to these advanced tools. Plus, with Ocean Next software, you can save time and money through automated data collection and reporting, eliminating the errors that often occur when manually entering measurements in Excel.

Jack: New innovations in X-ray imaging provide ever improving imaging capabilities while simultaneously maintaining or even reducing the effective radiation dose. Radcal, a premier provider of diagnostic radiation test instruments, recognizes the need to make your QA and maintenance measurement data more accessible for analysis, reporting and archiving in order to keep up with ever-changing measurement needs.

Sanger: IMT.Analytics Inc. has a complete line of gas flow and pressure, analyzers and meters, and test lungs to support the needs of biomeds throughout the hospital. We continue to innovate and develop new features and capabilities that adapt and grow our devices to meet the changing needs of our customers. The purchase of one of our devices is an investment in your test equipment now and well into the future.

Welby: If there are any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call. We are here to support and help in any manner we can. There is a plethora of “how to’s” on bcgroupstore.com and YouTube that may be of assistance.