by
Gus Iversen, Editor in Chief | October 16, 2015
From the October 2015 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
“At the functional core is high-voltage vacuum technology, where cleanliness is imperative,” says Spees. Instead of getting involved in the manufacturing process, Spees predicts many of the emerging markets will turn to reliable replacement tube vendors to keep their systems operational. “In general tubes will cost less as manufacturers are driven to compete in emerging markets,” says Jonaitis. “This level of cost awareness will have an impact on the overall market and allow more competitive pricing even on the high end of performance.”
Hurdles to in-house maintenance
For providers that service their equipment in-house, X-ray tubes have traditionally been a source of some trouble. The installation process can be very involved. However, for many systems, radiographic and mammography, for instance, that is beginning to change. As Jonaitis puts it, “simplicity is king.” But that’s not necessarily the case with CT, where he says dosing concerns have given way to some highly sophisticated calibration techniques.
Spees has a different perspective on in-house servicing. “The major OEMs prefer that other service organizations, including in-house, don’t work on their equipment because maintenance service is a significant amount of their annual revenue, and an even more significant amount of their margin,” he says. For that reason it’s not uncommon for OEMs to artificially create “barriers” to prevent others from doing maintenance, including changing the X-ray tube, he continued. Aside from 24/7 customer service, Funk’s company offers Dunlee Academy, an online tutorial to help guide technicians through the installation process step by step, complete with pictures and videos.
MCS 8064 replacement
X-ray tube
(Photo: Varian)
What’s next?
“Advanced detectors and more sensitive receptors, along with image processing algorithms allowing the image to be created with fewer photons to the receptor, should be encouraged and strived for,” says Spees.
Funk says Dunlee concentrates on ways to keep costs down on its tubes, and the best way they’ve found to achieve this is by producing reliable glassware. “By improving our X-ray tube product quality we extend the life of our tubes, resulting in lower overall costs.” Ultimately, providers need to keep their sights on the needs of younger patients. As people live longer lives, that exposure to radiation has more potential to cause later damage and that danger is no better illustrated than in younger patients who are still undergoing fast cell growth, says Jonaitis.
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