Archive for August, 2010

Medical Equipment Industry One of Many to Benefit from UH/TI Collaboration

Medical equipment manufacturers are not the only companies looking to capitalize on the latest technology. Whether a technology giant like Texas Instruments (TI) wants to compete with the latest industrial and commercial devices, or a telecommunications leader is creating the next generation of smart phones; there is one key development that will be a major interest. It is the embedded processor.

While the embedded processor is nothing new to the medical equipment industry, it has become more widely used and more powerful than ever before. And thanks to a recent grant, a University of Houston (UH) professor will work with TI to create new and innovative ways to utilize this technology.

For the past two years, design engineers from TI have partnered with UH Professor Barbara Chapman’s team of computer science researchers. For the second time, she has received a generous grant of $100,000 from TI to continue this important research.

In addition to discovering new ways to use embedded processors for commercial applications such as phones, cars, toys and power tools, the team expects to develop more advanced technology for medical imaging and medical electronic devices. However, in order to achieve the level of performance required for this new medical equipment, it will be necessary to build multicore processors. Essentially, this means the chips contain more than one central processing unit (CPU), but these heterogeneous multicore processors differ from the homogeneous PC-based systems, like those from Intel. Because of their complexity, it can be difficult to develop software for these systems, which is why TI and UH are collaborating.

Ultimately, the technology developed by this talented research team may be used across multiple industries, with portable medical equipment being just one of many innovations. The team’s research will make it easier for medical equipment suppliers to develop the advanced software necessary to include embedded multicore processors in their designs, resulting in medical applications that were not previously possible.

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Hospitals Under Pressure to Cut Costs: Selling Used Medical Equipment

Hospitals are under more pressure than ever to cut costs and pare down their operations, but only so many cuts can be made before it starts to affect the quality of care they provide. That’s why many healthcare operations specialists and financial analysts have started to investigate new revenue streams for their institutions.

Some hospitals have found that selling their used medical equipment is a great way to balance the budget. Until recently, selling large pieces of equipment was very difficult, but now several medical equipment dealers have started offering used medical equipment on their web sites. As smaller hospitals and clinics need to purchase equipment, they have learned to look for used medical equipment online.

This “exchange” of used equipment is a win-win situation for the healthcare industry because it allows cash-strapped hospitals to sell equipment at a profit, and other institutions to buy equipment at a much lower price.

How to Sell Your Used Medical Equipment:

* Start by making a detailed account of all the medical devices and equipment that can be sold. Be sure to include detailed notes on each piece of equipment, including the model number, specific software required, the date of purchase, its current condition, and any defects it may have.

* Then, take a few pictures of the machine and the individual parts that come with it. List any accessories that are included and which ones are required to operate the equipment.

* Start looking online for used medical equipment that is similar to what you plan to sell. This will give you a general idea of how much you can expect to get for each piece. An online medical equipment dealer can help determine the best selling price and post your used medical equipment on their web site.

* Be sure you are dealing with a reliable online retailer and be prepared to ask a lot of questions. Make sure you will be able to get a profit from the equipment you sell.

Before long, you will find a buyer for your used equipment and generate income for your institution. You may even find some used medical equipment that you need, and purchase it from the same dealer.

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Frost & Sullivan’s Asia-Pacific Pick for Most Innovative New Medical Imaging Product

It is not every day that a medical equipment supplier is recognized for superior innovation and foresight, particularly in an industry that is constantly buzzing with new advancements in technology. For this reason, the distinction of being singled out to receive the 2010 “Medical Imaging Product Innovation of the Year” for the Asia-Pacific region is such an honor for Time Medical.

Frost & Sullivan, a leading global consultancy in the field of market research, is known for honoring only the best and brightest companies in a given field, and in this case they have chosen Time’s HTS technology and their innovative MR imaging systems for their demonstrated excellence in the medical equipment industry. Within the imaging category, Frost & Sullivan’s team of professional analysts conduct extensive market research and interviews with key industry players before deciding upon a winner.

Interestingly, Time Medical is a relatively new player in the world of medical device manufacturing, but its introduction of HTS technology within the MRI market is a pioneering achievement that has shifted the paradigm for magnetic resonance imaging. By introducing a high performance, low-cost solution, Time has set new standards for their competitors and other medical equipment suppliers.

HTS stands for “High Temperature Superconducting” and refers to the RF coil that is used in MR technology. By introducing this new coil to the imaging industry, image quality has been improved by up to 500% and the cost of making an accurate diagnosis has been dramatically reduced. This achievement has made it possible for Time Medical to make diagnosis more accessible to underserved populations in developing countries, specifically in the Asian continent. By shifting the focus of healthcare in these countries from treatment to prevention, medical equipment suppliers like Time Medical hope to use more effective and affordable imaging systems to provide an accurate, low-cost diagnosis.

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Micro Health Centers: A Trend for the Next Decade

As the debate over U.S. Healthcare Reform continues to simmer, other countries are transforming their healthcare systems through the introduction of micro health clinics. Thanks to several groups of socially conscious entrepreneurs and the innovation provided by telemedicine and portable medical equipment, these clinics are cropping up all over the globe. Perhaps healthcare providers in the U.S. could learn from this type of system, particularly in rural and low income areas.

For example, the group Sehat First in Pakistan is planning to set up 500 franchises of tele-health clinics by 2012. The centers will include a health center and pharmacy, as well as a general consumer goods store and a tele-center. Patients will have access to multiple services in one location, and using IP-based video phones, they will be able to consult with doctors and specialists without leaving their community.

In the Dominican Republic, a new clinic will be spearheaded that repurposes standard shipping containers and turns them into primary care health clinics. Containers2Clinics is based in Boston, MA and plans to expand this powerful concept in many other locations as well. The containers can be converted into stand-alone health centers or be used to complement existing facilities.

These examples are evidence that the future of global healthcare will focus on three key themes:

* High quality patient care
* Easy accessibility for patients
* Keeping prices affordable – through a combination of the latest technologies and the economies of scale

As these franchises continue to grow, medical equipment suppliers will be looking for ways to meet the growing need for compatible devices and remote connectivity.

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