Electric noise

When upgraded, did they (Philips), bring in an Apps Specialist? If not, I would request that first. If they did complete apps:

1. Compare with a different L18-4.

2. Replace the Aquisition Module. (The channel board resides here)

When upgraded, did they (Philips), bring in an Apps Specialist? If not, I would request that first. If they did complete apps:

1. Compare with a different L18-4.

2. Replace the Aquisition Module. (The channel board resides here)

The problem with software over 5.0.3:

Philips has removed the key base login which has disabled anyone without a Philips IST key from accessing the service area of an Ultrasound system. They pressure customers into this upgrade by stating the system is vulnerable to being hacked. However the "hacking" is only done by someone with access to the system aka 3rd party service orgs or a biomed that has retained outside service orgs that have the ability to give them access to the service platform of the system. However, as soon as an organization decides to upgrade to a revision higher than 5.0.3, Philips has now become an illegal monopoly to service your equipment and keeps you from being able to do basic service such as reload software after replacing a bad hard drive. 

Additionally, when you upgrade from any revision software, you will pay for the software upgrade but they will not give you a copy of software after the upgrade. Even if you have purchased the software, you can reload it onto the new hard drives but without an IST Dongle or a Philips parts contract that allows a First Responder access, you can't load the necessary Licensed Options File from your newly created Preset backup and the system will continuously display a 014 error code after the reload until a Philips FSE is dispatched for a Service Call.

You now still have a non working medical device after the hard drive replacement which is hendering patient care until a Philips Engineer can come onsite to log into the Service Platform and load the LO file which takes about two minutes and can cost the facility a trip charge upwards of more than $1200.

If you had access to the system's Service Platform, the patients needing scans would not have to be rescheduled and be able to receive their diagnosis in a timely manner. However, Philips, unlike GE and Siemens that leave software on their systems and make it possible to complete most service, such as part replacement without the need of proprietary service tools, hdd replacement without the need of proprietary service told to load Licensed Files after the software reload and finally, having to purchase software seperately that is already licensed for you system.

My recommendation as a 3rd Party Service Org would be to steer away from purchasing a Philips Ultrasound system running the software that violates fair business practices and forces you to utilize the overpriced OEM Field Service Monopoly. Find an OEM that practices in a more open minded service platform that doesn't hinder your ability to service your equipment that you paid for or having the choice to use someone other than the OEM that is qualified and able to do so while still keeping patient safety and patient care as a whole in mind without causing more cost to the hospital/organization.

1.Compare with a different L18-4, the same prblem occur

2. Replace the 1st Aquisition Module, it reduce 70%, the second Module is ok. But the price for replacemnet is so high (because we don't have third party company in our country), and the Module assurance is only 6 months.

Thank you very much for your reply

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 Ampronix

Encore Technical Services

Just be sure to tell them you were referred by MedWrench.

Thank you very much for all opinions, My epiq 5 was resolved. It was downgraded from 9.0.2 to 5.2, and displacard for true vue was removed. Everything is ok after 1 week , the noise is disappeared.