Conversations from the TechNation ListServ
Q: It is never too early to start Christmas shopping. What is a good gift to give a biomed? What is one tool, book, or resource that every biomed needs to have in the toolbox?
A: I would give him one year free AAMI membership subscription. I personally benefited from the resources that come as a part of membership benefit.
A: A Swiss Army Deluxe Tinker knife. It has both pliers and scissors on it, along with a fairly decent #2 Philips blade or a Leatherman equivalent, if he would wear one.
A: A subscription to TechNation magazine!
A: For a tool, I agree totally with the answer that said to give a Swiss Army Deluxe Tinker knife. For a book, give them “Who Moved My Cheese?” and as a resource, a subscription to TechNation.
A: I’ve tried the tool route. I’ve tried the personal practical route (roadside emergency kit). But after talking with my team, they want gift cards. Amazon and Wal-mart cards were the favorites.
A: I would appreciate an AAMI membership! As for tools, I am too picky to let someone else make those decisions for me!
Q: I need to perform preventive maintenance on a Sterrad 100S and I need a code to do it. Can anybody help me with this?
A: You need a service access key to be able to perform a PM on this. The key is only available to trained techs. You can change all the parts yourself but will be unable to calibrate the temps and vacuum settings if they are needed.
A: There’s a PM1 for ~1000 and PM2 for ~4000. I’ve never used a PIN though. I’ve just completed the PM and reset the PM date in the service menu.
A: The service access key allows the tech to go into the deep menu in order to calibrate the temperature and vacuum settings. It also allows you to test all the other functions to ensure proper operation or assist in troubleshooting. For example, testing the door, printer, injector, etc.
A: RPI may be able to help.
A: For the 100S you do not need a code
Q: Our end user’s ultrasound machine purchased under a year ago from a supplier in the United States now displays the following: “The instrument has detected an internal error and is collecting information to help diagnose the problem. Please contact your Philips Representative. The Restart control will be enabled when information has been collected.” Any experience as to what the cause of this might be?
A: I had this error on a unit from one of my customers and it was an intermittent power supply issue. Check the leads on it when the error pops up and see what voltages, if any, are missing. If there are any leads out, check the service manual to see what is powered by that voltage supply and either disconnect or remove it and reboot the unit. If the issue was the load, and not the supply, your lead should be back on the power supply if not it’s the supply.
A: I had the same problem. In my case the cable between the signal processing unit and the PC had problems with contact. After disconnecting and reconnecting it, it worked again.
A: Internal Error – as stated above it is almost always the power supply; however, there have been a few issues with the token ring cable and/or the signal processer board.
A: Your issue is likely software.
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