[Sponsored] 20/20 Imaging Insights: 4 Steps for Reducing MRI Coil Failures

Sponsored by Innovatus Imaging

By Ted Lucidi, CBET

I am currently updating a presentation on MRI coil troubleshooting for an upcoming HTM conference. One of the strengths of the presentation is that the content is based on your MRI coil failures. At Innovatus, we track and trend almost everything. We classify and segment failure analysis data and perform root cause analysis by make and model. We examine the data for patterns and partner with clients to proactively reduce future failures, ultimately reducing their support costs. It’s just one of many benefits of my role with Innovatus.

As I was assembling the data, it was so telling that I thought that TechNation readers would benefit from a preview. I examined two years of MRI coil repair data, spanning 330 different coil models and thousands of repairs. The data is current, accurate and statistically valid, as well as relevant to you, your facilities, and the coil models in your facility. Take a look at the information in the piechart. Over 50% of all coil failures are related to trauma and preventable damage. Over 50%! Less than 20% are related to random electronic/component failures and electronic tuning. The remainder might be considered normal wear of mechanical and physical components. Sir Francis Bacon may have said it best, “Knowledge is power.”

Most MRI coils are bundled in the service contract of the system itself. It’s a great solution for maintaining uptime. But at what cost? Coil failures related to trauma and preventable damage are typically not covered by the service contract or honored under warranty. This means that you may be paying once for the contract and again for an out-of-pocket expense which could be as high as $80,000 or more. Warranties and service contracts typically only cover electronic failures and normal/general wear. In the event of trauma, preventable damage or mechanical/physical damage it may be prudent to address coil failures with a qualified MRI coil repair provider.

Armed with this information, let’s develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce your MRI coil failures, reduce support costs, increase uptime and increase your return on investment.

1. Partnering with end-users

As we see in the chart, the majority of coils sent to Innovatus Imaging for repair possess some level of mechanical damage, which often has resulted in single or multi-point electronic failures. One of the most effective ways to increase longevity is to ensure that best practices and OEM guidelines are being followed. Ben Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.” We recommend that service engineers perform a “Care & Handling Assessment.” Start with partnering with the department/site manager and explain the purposes and goals which are reducing failures and costs and increasing uptime. Assess if, when and how often the coils are visually inspected by the technologists, how they are stored, transported and cleaned. Even go as far as to observe how the coil’s cables are routed during set-up and how the patient is positioned and re-positioned. This can be easily performed without anyone’s notice during routine visits to the department. Follow-up with the department manager by requesting 15-30 minutes during a routine department meeting to review findings. Discuss best practices and provide, as well as solicit, ideas for improvement to reduce damage.

2. Addressing wear/tear and electronic failures

Even if best practices are employed, wear and tear, random electronic failures and unavoidable accidents will occur over time. The key to longevity, in these instances, is to select a service partner who addresses coil failures holistically. For sustainable repairs, the entire coil (both mechanically and electronically) should be assessed versus a quick fix of a single point of failure. Over time, all cables will breakdown and become intermittent. Be sure that your current provider replaces worn and damaged cables, versus splicing or repairing them. It will result in like-new performance and offer the longevity of a new or OEM replacement coil. Consider the slogan, “pay me now or pay me later.” It’s better to address all of the failures at one time versus sending a product in again for latent failures.

3. Disassembly and in-house repairs

Although imaging service engineers are very well-qualified and the HTM community is based on the self-service model, do not attempt to repair an MRI coil without the use of proper test equipment and proper repair and testing procedures. Improper repairs and/or repair attempts have the potential to induce patient harm, including burns. Even if your confidence and experience levels are high, do not attempt to repair an MRI coil without proper ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection. Opening the housing often breaks the electromagnetic shielding and may permit the risk of ESD to the internal components and unseen damage and latent failures may occur. Employees and patients may be put at risk even if repairs are attempted in approved ESD areas.

4. Vendor Qualification

It can’t be stressed enough that partnering with a qualified repair provider is another key to longevity and sustainable performance. Perform a thorough analysis, or vendor qualification, of potential MRI coil repair providers as the third-party repair industry is currently unregulated and there is no standard of quality amongst providers. Assess if the provider is ISO 13485:2016 certified specifically for MRI coil repair. Insist on a copy of the provider’s current certificate and ensure that the scope of service includes “MRI coil repair” and not just “MRI service.” Assess the experience of the provider … their history, capabilities, approach to repair (holistic or quick fix), loaner availability, testing processes, warranty periods, historical support of the HTM community and warranty rates. Cost should be one of the lower-ranked qualifiers. Consider Gabriel Bell’s 15th century quote, “You get what you pay for.”

For more information and ideas, or to request a copy of our ISO 13485:2016 certificate, email me directly at tedl@innovatusimaging.com.

Ted Lucidi, CBET, is the director of commercial operations and business analytics at Innovatus Imaging.