Medical imaging and more specifically ultrasound machines play a significant role in our diagnostic procedures today. Ultrasound machines are used for a variety of procedures from an obstetric ultrasound for pregnant women to an echocardiography for cardiovascular patients. Because of how frequently ultrasounds are used in clinics, hospitals, and private practices, the constant use of these machines can result in damaged parts. So, how do you know if it’s worth simply repairing an ultrasound machine rather than replacing it with a new one? Let’s take a look at the types of ultrasound machine parts and what to consider when they need repairs.

Types of Ultrasound Machine Parts

Ultrasound machines are made up of unique as well as fairly standard medical device parts. The more unique parts that give ultrasounds the ability to create an image are the transducer probe and the printer. Standard parts that are found in many types of medical devices include the monitor, central processing unit (CPU), and keyboard. These parts can require repairs at different times for different reasons; sometimes the transducer probe is dropped, the wear and tear over time of the cable sheath becomes dangerous, or there is a computer malfunction within the system. Whatever causes the damage, sometimes facilities fail to recognize that an ultrasound machine can just have a simple part repaired to get the machine up and running again. Here’s how to know if you should replace your ultrasound machine parts rather than investing in a new machine.

Repair vs. Replacement

These are three aspects that you should consider when simply repairing ultrasound machine parts versus replacing the entire machine.

Return on Investment

By comparing the long-term ROI of repairing an individual part versus replacing an entire machine, you can understand what makes most sense financially. Often, replacing a single part is less expensive than replacing the whole machine, making it a more cost-effective solution. But, when you have to replace many parts in order to make the machine functional, replacing the entire machine could give a more favorable ROI. We recommend repairing parts until the ROI favors replacing the entire machine.

Quality of Equipment

When replacing ultrasound machine parts, you want to ensure that you maintain top-notch quality. You don’t want to replace a part with a subpar solution just to have it give out quickly. This isn’t a cost-effective or safe solution. Your machine should be running at full functionality so that it also meets safety standards for the patients and staff. If you reach a point where you can no longer replace parts to maintain quality safety and efficiency, then you’ll want to do a full machine replacement.

Trusted Company

Lastly, when replacing ultrasound machine parts, you want to ensure that you receive parts from a trusted company. Spare parts and refurbished machines can have gray areas that aren’t as heavily regulated. You want to ensure that your trusted company provides high-quality components that meet safety and efficiency standards. In addition, we recommend investigating their warranty and installation procedures before choosing a supplier. If you cannot find a company that meets these recommendations, it will be hard to maintain a machine that is in constant need of repairs, to know whether it’s running at full functionality, and to ensure that it meets safety regulations.

CSAT is one of the top trusted companies in the medical device repair field for our industry knowledge and wide range of capabilities. Not only are we well-versed in ultrasound machine parts, we also make recommendations on repairs vs. replacements and truly want to give your facility the best cost-effective solution while ensuring the safety of your patients. If you’re interested in learning more about our services or are seeking advice on your ultrasound machines, contact us today.