New Technologies Require New Testing Tools
The Corner Office
Wayne Moore
4/9/2024
We are seeing a virtual explosion in the diffusion of new medical devices that have incorporated some level of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms ranging in application from assistive diagnosis, to augmented diagnosis, to autonomous diagnosis. The first two require physician interaction and serve as diagnostic tools. Autonomous does not require physician interaction. The first two are great tools, the last one, at least at this point, is a bit scary. But, how about using AI for predictive servicing of imaging devices like ultrasound, CT, and MRI?
Looking at the predictive failure graph below demonstrates the potential value of using AI coupled with embedded test hardware to push the intervention timeline back to a point in the failure process where the cost of repair is at its lowest and the first-time fix curve is at its highest. For example, monitoring the electrical leakage value of a TEE probe for changes that show the beginning of an upward trend and repairing the probe then rather than unknowingly waiting until a hard failure occurs that could ruin the probe entirely and cost significantly more. The same approach could be taken for a CT tube, or an MRI coil.
Exciting times we live in!
Until next month,
Wayne
