Avoiding Electromagnetic Interference in Hospitals

Over the past 2 decades, there has been remarkable growth in the sources of RF energy. Twenty years ago, people did not have cell phones, pagers, or laptop computers with wireless modems installed.

Over the years, many incidents of suspected electromagnetic interference (EMI) with medical devices have been documented. Defibrillators are one type of medical implant that has had problems due to electromagnetic interference that has been well-documented in medical journals. There is increased concern for the safe and effective use of devices in an environment that has become crowded with potential sources of electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Because of its concern for public health and safety, the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), which is part of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in the US, has been at the forefront of examining medical device electromagnetic interference and providing solutions. Extensive laboratory testing by CDRH and others has revealed that many medical devices can be susceptible to problems caused by EMI.

According to the CDRH, the key to addressing electromagnetic interference (EMI) is the recognition that it involves not only the device itself, but also the environment in which it is used, and anything that may come into that environment. More than anything else, the concern with EMI must be viewed as a systems problem requiring a systems approach. In this case, the solution requires the involvement of the medical device industry, the EM source industry (e.g., power industry, telecommunications industry), and the clinical user and patient.

The public must also play a part in the overall approach to recognizing and dealing with EMI. Electromagnetic compatibility, or EMC, is essentially the opposite of EMI. EMC means that the device is compatible with (i.e., no interference caused by) its EM environment, and it does not emit levels of EM energy that cause EMI in other devices in the vicinity. The wide variation of medical devices and use environments makes them vulnerable to different forms of EM energy which can cause EMI: conducted, radiated, and electrostatic discharge (ESD). Further, EMI problems with medical devices can be very complex, not only from the technical standpoint but also from the view of public health issues and solutions.

It is important to make sure you have the right kind of EMI/RFI filtering for your medical devices and hospital equipment. RFI filters play an especially important role in high-frequency and medical equipment applications. The typical frequency filtered is 10,000Hz to 30,000,000Hz for noise picked up and conducted through external wires or power cords. 30,000,000Hz to 1GHz is the frequency filtered for noise that is radiating and being picked up through the air. Low-leakage filters are used for medical equipment and devices, as they provide low levels of leakage current to meet patient safety requirements.

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) and Radio Frequency interference (RFI) are disturbances that can affect the electrical circuit because of electromagnetic induction or electromagnetic radiation from external sources. These disturbances can interrupt, degrade and/or limit the performance of the circuit itself. Many countries have requirements for products to meet Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standards.

MedWOW, the multilingual global medical equipment platform, offers medical equipment professionals a selection of RFI filters for a variety of different devices. If there is a particular RFI filter or part that you can’t find in MedWOW’s international inventories, you can post an RFI filter request or take advantage of MedWOW’s efficient part finder service. Currently filters are available from Siemens, GE Healthcare, Philips and more.

Remote High Dose Rate (HDR) Afterload Brachytherapy for Precision

Remote high dose rate (HDR) afterload brachytherapy is a highly-effective outpatient option that minimizes harmful side effects of oncology treatment, significantly reduces treatment and recovery times and most importantly, minimizes recurrence of many types of cancer. Brachytherapy is the standard term used for a radioactive source applied in or near a tumor. Brachy means near and therapy means treatment.

Brachytherapy is delivered by placing the radiation sources (Ir192) near the tumor. A multichannel Microselectron HDR with TCS remote afterload system is a dedicated machine which delivers radiation in and around the tumor. Brachytherapy can be used in the following:

• Intracavitary for cancer of the cervix and uterus
• Intraluminal for esophagus and bronchus cancer
• Interstitial for breast cancer, soft tissue sarcoma (after initial surgery), prostate and pancreatic tumors
• Surface mold for superficial cancers, especially skin cancer

These procedures may require anesthesia, a surgical procedure and a brief stay in the hospital. Patients with permanent implants may have a few restrictions at first and then can quickly return to their normal activities. Temporary implants are left inside the patient's body for minutes, hours or days, as indicated.

Remote high dose rate (HDR) afterload brachytherapy involves the remote placement of the powerful radiation source, accurately directed by the radiation oncologist and team, into the tumor for several minutes through a catheter. It is usually given in multiple doses once or twice daily or once or twice weekly. The doctor and team control the remote high dose rate (HDR) afterload brachytherapy treatment from outside the treatment room, monitoring the patient as the therapy is being given. The high-dose-rate remote afterloading machines allow radiation oncologists to deliver a brachytherapy treatment quickly, in about 10 to 20 minutes. The patient can usually go home shortly after the procedure.

Most patients feel little discomfort during remote high dose rate (HDR) afterload brachytherapy. If the radioactive source is held in place with an applicator, the only discomfort during the procedure may come from the  applicator.

Depending on the type of remote high dose rate (HDR) afterload brachytherapy given, the patient may need to take some precautions following treatment.

Remote high dose rate (HDR) afterload brachytherapy may be used alone or in conjunction with external radiation treatments.

MedWOW, the multilingual global medical equipment platform, offers a buyers a selection of remote high dose rate (HDR) afterload brachytherapy  units for sale from inventories all over the world. Currently featuring remote high dose rate (HDR) afterload brachytherapy units from Varian and Nucletron Oldelft, with more being added all the time,   locating even difficult-to-find items is easier than ever.

If there is a particular Remote high dose rate (HDR) afterload brachytherapy system or part that you can’t find in MedWOW’s representative inventories, you can post a request or take advantage of any of MedWOW’s location services.

A New Medical Imaging Technology: Terahertz Radiation

Terahertz technologies harness sub-millimeter-wave radiation at frequencies from 0.1 to 10 terahertz, known as t-rays, corresponding to the spectrum between the infrared and microwave bands. Many scientists regard t-rays as the last great frontier of the electromagnetic spectrum, but finding “killer” applications outside the traditional niches of radio astronomy, Earth and planetary remote sensing, and molecular spectroscopy—particularly in biomedical imaging — has been relatively slow.

Residing at the lower end of the electromagnetic spectrum, t-rays behave like radio waves. When excited, they propagate and focus via traditional quasi-optical techniques, but utilize lenses typically made of low-loss plastics or crystals rather than the glasses prevalent at optical wavelengths.

Radiologists find this area of study fascinating, because t-rays are non-ionizing, which suggests no harm is done to tissue or DNA. They also offer the possibility of performing spectroscopic measurements over a very wide frequency range, and can even capture very broad signatures from liquids and solids. In some non-biomedical applications, t-rays have already yielded impressive gains, such as: airport security, protecting valuable art, detecting surface cracks in space flights, improving telecommunications and more.

Terahertz t-rays have traditionally been used to detect lightweight molecules and atoms. Until now, nearly a dozen spaceflight instruments have measured these signatures, which are critical tracers for such processes as ozone depletion, global warming, and pollution monitoring, as well as in furthering research in basic astrophysics, planetary composition, and cosmology.

Terahertz radiation has key strengths, but also limitations. Most notably, t-rays cannot penetrate water or metal. Some terahertz frequencies can penetrate fatty tissue a few millimeters thick, leading some researchers to speculate about their use in detecting epithelial cancer.

Terahertz-radiation imaging is just one of several methods under investigation for use in detecting early cancer of the GI tract. However, these findings open up exciting new medical applications for Terahertz technology. With further development the goal of the professional imaging community is for the technology to be used during endoscopic and surgical procedures to enable complete removal of diseased tissues. Further work is required to fully understand the contrast between diseased and healthy tissue.

MedWOW, the multilingual, global medical equipment eCommerce marketplace, features a huge variety of new and used imaging equipment. MedWOW’s comprehensive catalogue facilities easy buying and selling of every category of medical equipment: both complete systems and hospital parts.
MedWOW provides a number of methods to guarantee that you get the very best imaging equipment at the best price, with all the features you need. MedWOW attracts international sellers of imaging, so you have a wider range of competitive offers. You can also take advantage of the Market Value Calculator tool, which gives you high, low and average prices for all types of new and used imaging equipment.

The Importance of Remote Monitoring for Cardiac Pacemakers and ICDs

 

There has been a growing trend in electrophysiology toward remote, home monitoring of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices, pacemakers and implantable cardiac monitors.

Remote monitoring helps improve work efficiency, reduces loads on clinics, improves adherence to scheduled follow-ups, and enables early detection of more severe cardiac problems.

ICDs were introduced in 1989, and today more than 2 million patients in the United States alone have them implanted.

In 2006 the Heart Rhythm Society made a call to manufacturers to create home monitoring systems so the devices could be used as an early detection system of threatening cardiac problems. Many of the new cardiac rhythm devices released in the past couple years have met this criteria.

Since these remote monitoring systems have been implemented, the adherence to regular monitoring has improved greatly with patients using remote monitoring-capable implants. Triggers can be set for events that automatically send an update on the patient’s condition to the physician’s office using the remote monitoring transmission system. These triggers can include settings that are out of range, delivered shocks, or other parameters set by the treating physician.

While remote monitoring eases the burden of follow-ups on patients and clinics and allows for improved patient care, it also enables clinics to charge for more frequent checkups.

It has been argued by some physicians that remote cardiac monitoring technology is not at the level of sophistication some manufacturers would lead physicians to believe. Some CRT and ICD devices, and the majority of pacemakers, do not have remote monitoring capabilities. Patients still need to be next to their Web-enabled transmitter to make a connection to send a report, so if an event happens away from home, it is not automatically reported.

Despite some drawbacks, progress continues. For example, Biotronik’s Home Monitoring system for early detection of all arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachyarrhythmia and ventricular fibrillation is very accurate. Using this type of cardiac remote monitoring system, it takes three days to detect these problems, versus more than 30 days using conventional office follow-ups.

Visit MedWOW and search for the category of remote cardiac pacemaker and implantable cardioverters defibrillator systems you are looking for and you will experience the current inventory from all over the world in new and used remote cardiac monitoring systems, as well as remote cardiac monitoring parts and accessories.

With so many options, where do you start? You can search for cardiac monitoring systems according to a wide variety of filters, designed to help you find exactly what you need including: manufacturer, model, price range, year manufactured, location, condition and seller’s business type.    In addition, you can decide to use any or all of MedWOW’s support services to help you in making the most cost-effective purchase possible. For example, there is currently a wide range of cardiac monitoring manufacturers and models available, including: Cordis, Intermedics, Pace Medical, Medtronic, Teletronics and many others.

If English isn’t your primary language, that’s alright, as the site is in many languages, and MedWOW’s customer support team can address your questions about remote cardiac pacemaker and implantable cardioverters defibrillator systems in 10 languages. 

Why Pulse Oximeters are Necessary

Before the development of pulse oximeters, in the not-so-distant past, physicians primarily had to assess, diagnosis, and evaluate many medical conditions based on their experience and clinical judgment. This is an essential part of diagnosis, but some symptoms manifest only at the later stages of the disease, especially with problems concerning respiration. When breathing is weakened, arterial blood oxygen levels are reduced. Oxygen deprivation is dangerous and puts patients at risk. Fortunately, with the advancement of medical technology, high-quality innovations in the medical field have allowed doctors to diagnose and treat diseases more successfully. As a case in point, the development of the pulse oximeter has decreased the time in detecting oxygen desaturation and has also greatly minimized unnecessary blood testing.

There are many occasions on which a person can be deprived of oxygen. Hypoxemia, where there is a low amount of oxygen in the blood, may be brought about by illness or trauma to breathing structures. People who have respiratory disorders have the greatest chances of developing decreased arterial oxygen saturation. The principal candidates are patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and to a lesser extent, cardiac patients. Blood disorders that cause a deficiency in hemoglobin or alter the capacity of hemoglobin to carry and transport oxygen also result into decreased oxygen saturation levels.

The purpose of a pulse oximeter is to read the current amount of oxygen present in blood by placing the sensor over the fingertip (or sometimes the earlobe). The pulse oximeter reading will indicate whether activity needs to be stopped, or if supplemental oxygen is needed. Parents of children who have asthma are often advised to have a pulse oximeter with them, especially during strenuous activity. If the pulse oximeter results are read as low, then the child must stop playing, and take necessary medications.

For the elderly population, a pulse oximeter is also an important item. Heart disease leading to oxygen deficiency is a common cause of mortality among the geriatric population, so the pulse oximeter has become standard equipment in nursing homes. The hand-held pulse oximeter has proven to be useful in getting a non-invasive, yet accurate and continuous reading.

If delayed, oxygen deficiency causes brain damage, and can affect other vital organs. This is why airway and breathing is a priority during resuscitation, and a pulse oximeter is always present in ambulances, emergency rooms, operating rooms, or any health care facility. Pulse oximeters are also available for home use.