Sponsored by Conquest Imaging
By Michael Davis
When choosing to purchase a part for your system, you have a choice of vendors. You can choose to purchase from the OEM or from a third-party vendor. While purchasing from the OEM is a wise choice, it normally comes with a premium price. A third-party vendor can generally save you some money.
Ultrasound replacement parts are available from a wide variety of sources and can vary in cost by as much as 15-20 percent, but is price the only differentiator? There are different types or levels of third- party ultrasound parts vendors and they can be categorized by the processes a part goes through prior to shipping.
The first level is a harvested part. This is when an entire ultrasound system is tested, passes power up or other low-level diagnostics and then is disassembled so the parts can be sold individually. This process is very superficial, and many intermittent, function-specific and thermal-related malfunctions of components are missed.
The next level is when boards are tested individually and repaired as needed. This involves a deeper knowledge of the ultrasound system and electronics engineering. Any defective components found during the testing process are replaced and the board is tested again prior to shipping.
The last level is a process that involves fully reconditioning a part to OEM specifications, thorough technical and clinical testing, ultrasonic cleaning and part specific packaging. The first step is an ultrasonic cleaning where a part is submerged in a chemical bath and surrounded by varying frequencies of ultrasonic waves which literally scrub and polish the assembly.
After testing, the part is placed in a new anti-static bag, placed in a new, custom fit box with a packet of moisture absorbing desiccant and placed in a climate-controlled warehouse ready for shipment.
An even higher level repair would include an additional procedure Conquest Imaging refers to as our “Standard Fix.” Through the integration of years of historical data, we have identified high-failure components on these assemblies and replace them prior to multiple levels of quality assurance. This allows companies to proactively replace all high-failure components on circuit boards, power supplies, displays and user interfaces to ensure longevity. Components like keyboard and control panel membranes are replaced even if they pass the first stage tests. This allows extended warranties that can match what an OEM offers and in many cases reduces the failure rate lower than the OEMs as their objective differs from that of the third-party.
While a fully refurbished part can cost more then a used part, the quality of the parts ensure that your investment will keep your system running and earning you a profit.
For more ultrasound technical tips and tricks, or to view technical support videos visit www.conquestimaging.com, our blog section or visit our online Technical Support Video library for installation and removal instructions and much, much more. Conquest Imaging Technical Support is available 24/7/365 at 866-900-9404.
Mike Davis is a Technical Support Specialist at Conquest Imaging.