Roundtable: Test Equipment

Roundtable: Test Equipment

Test equipment is vital for the HTM community. Biomeds rely on these high-tech devices to perform many tasks to help them maintain medical devices. Rarely does a day go by where they don’t have to test something as part of a repair process. What are the latest advances in test equipment from the leading manufacturers? Is it possible to keep up with the latest test equipment technology without buying brand new?

TechNation asked a group of experts in the field of test equipment these questions and more. These experts agreed to share their insights with readers.

The members of the expert panel are Greg Alkire, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Pronk Technologies Inc.; Jack Barrett, National Business Development Manager, Rigel Medical; Michael T. Bayliss, Global Sales Manager, Datrend Systems Inc.; Ken O’Day, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, BC Group International Inc.; Patrick Pyers, Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Business Development, Radcal Corp.; and Jerry Zion, Global Training Manager, Fluke Biomedical. The answers provided by these individuals are the opinions of the submitters and not necessarily the opinions of the company that employs them.

Q: What are the latest advances or significant changes in test equipment in the past year?

Alkire: The Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) test equipment market continued to migrate toward more portable devices with more flexibility in the past year. There is a concerted effort to reduce the footprint of existing technologies in order to adapt to the more mobile biomed of today. Manufacturers that are able to leap ahead of legacy technologies with advanced features that include a more intuitive user interface, improved accuracy and speed are seeing success in the market today. I see this as a tremendous benefit to assist the biomeds in saving time and cost for maintaining the medical devices.

Barrett: Last year, I commented on the growing importance on test automation and data traceability. This continues to grow in importance.

Bayliss: The use of wireless connectivity is probably the biggest change recently. Almost everyone uses a smartphone or tablet and would like to see the same capabilities with their test equipment. For example, using the tablet as both the user interface and the wireless communication link.

O’Day: In order for the test equipment to keep up with new medical devices, they need to be faster, more comprehensive, software driven and upgradeable. Smaller is another trend, but being able to hold something in your hand while you test doesn’t always give you the best results. Sometimes functionality is more important than size.

Pyers: Test equipment is a very broad arena of products used today. It is comprised of many different testing instruments from electrical safety analyzers to sophisticated diagnostic X-ray test meters. The use of new displays utilizing the latest in touchscreen technology is more prevalent today than in the past. With the emphasis on time savings, touchscreens speed up the testing setup procedures and analyzing the results obtained from the measurement. Laptops, tablets and smartphone technology of today provide the platforms of some of the new technology seen this past year and will play an even more important role in test equipment to come in the near future.

Zion: The most notable advances in the past year include wireless connectivity functionality, software developments to interface with a broader range of technology (think tablets, notebooks, etc.) and innovative ways to turn data into real-time insights. All of which have improved the way measurements (and ultimately decisions) are made.

Q: How will those changes impact the test equipment market in the future?

Alkire: Smaller and more flexible solutions will allow users to be more efficient and flexible in their work environment. For example, rather than removing a medical device from a patient room on the fourth floor and dragging it down to their shop, they can now do all the testing needed right in the patient areas without pushing a cart full of equipment through the hospital. One impact of more portable test equipment on the market, which may not be a coincidence, is an increase in the number of biomed shops taking on the maintenance work of smaller remote facilities. Historically, engineers would have to push an equipment cart across the parking lots and load/unload larger equipment in and out of a vehicle. Newer, smaller devices fitting into a small carrying case that can be thrown over a shoulder or even into a shirt pocket significantly increase the viability and efficiency of managing those remote clinics.

Barrett: Better and easier accessibility to test data along with porting data into CMMS via direct links or as attachments.

Bayliss: By using a wireless communication system, a user will not have to carry a tester, laptop, and multiple service manuals in order to perform tests. Tests can be initiated on the tablet/smartphone by a user, or through a CMMS system, performed with a high degree of automation, with records wirelessly communicated and stored.

O’Day: In order to compete, we will need to continue to use the latest technology to design products with the future in mind. Continued support and “future proofing” our products is our way of being a good corporate citizen in this ever-changing field. We want the end user to be a long-time partner and not just someone to purchase the latest item on the market.

Pyers: With the new technology incorporated in the instruments of today, faster processors with more capabilities of storing and analyzing more information will be seen in future test tools. The consolidation of several test instruments into a single device could be seen to provide the user with a time-saving and productive testing tool.

Zion: The future is smaller, more portable and more efficient. Expect technology advances to improve productivity and mitigate risk. Form follows function, and that will be what drives innovation in test equipment.

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