Archive
Modifying Medical Devices In-house
Modifying Devices In-house – What do the Standards Say About That, and Use of Non-OEM Parts in Repairs…… Yes, No……..Maybe !
Permitted modification of medical devices by a hospital biomedical engineer requested by a physician or surgeon is the subject of the February talk by Mike Flood, biomedical engineering consultant.
The SMBEVic is pleased to invite you to join us on Tuesday 27 February 2024 at 6.00PM on Zoom. Please register here.
The Physician and Surgeon may require something different to the medical device being used to treat a patient. The hospital biomedical engineering department is asked to help. Modifying medical devices can bring an individula under the regulations of medical device manufacturers, which involve strict quality, safety, and performance requirements. Failing to meet these regulations can result in significant fines and legal action. Is there an alternative path for the biomedical engineer?
Join us to hear what Mike and the other clinical engineers think of the TGA guidelines on modifying medical equipment in their hospitals.
Breaking News- Video of Mike Flood’s talk in the Vision History
SMBE NSW Biomedical Engineering Conference 2024
SMBE NSW 2024
Presents the 33rd Annual
Biomedical Engineering Conference
“The Country Technicians’ Training Seminar”
Celebrating the Biomedical Engineering Team’s Contribution to
Advances in Healthcare over the Past 33 Years
The national SMBEs support the annual SMBE NSW BME Conference in rural NSW.
The program is varied from papers on cybersecurity for medical devices (including a workshop) to the use of the correct cleaning materials for patient monitors. The conference is strongly supported by the commercial sector with all the latest technology on display.
Join the SMBE NSW in Port Macquarie. Get the Brochure and Registration Form below.
24th to 27th March 2024 at Panthers Port Macquarie
1 Bay Street Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Annual Student Presentations 2023
The Society held the Annual Student Presentations on Tuesday 21 November 2023 at 6.00PM on the Zoom platform.
Four excellent presentations of final year projects were delivered and the Wilcock-Kaye Award for Best Presentation was awarded.
The video of the night is now available in the Vision History located on the SMBEVIC website here.
Please contact the Secretary for any questions about the videos on the website at SMBEVic.info@gmail.com.
Vale Jack Davie
Today we celebrate the life of Jack Davie, Senior Biomedical Engineer and dedicated worker in humanitarian aid to healthcare services worldwide.
Jack was a biomedical engineer at Prince Henry’s Hospital in the golden days of biomedical engineering when design and development of medical equipment was a major part of the services of the Biomedical Engineering Department.
Jack came from New Zealand to study for his master’s degree with David Dewhurst. He joined the Biomedical Engineering Department early 1980 on completion of his degree. Jack had commenced his career as a technical officer with NZ Telecoms. One of the many projects undertaken early within the department was to network instruments within the pathology department. This required construction of a suitable manual “exchange”. This project highlighted Jack’s very ordered attention to detail and technical skills which he applied to all his design and projects.
As a gifted design engineer, he worked closely with the leading intensivists of the day, delivering projects to improve patient care. For example, he implemented a U processor based multi parameter model to advise appropriate patient management to ensure correct fluid balance, hence maintaining optimal blood pressure (heart loading) in unconscious patients.
When Prince Henry’s moved to Clayton in the early 1990’s, Jack worked as a senior biomedical engineer in the Clinical Engineering Department of Monash Medical Centre. During his time at MMC he was able to take leave to work with ECRI on a project at a major Malaysian hospital. Later Jack moved to Royal Melbourne Hospital as Deputy Chief biomedical Engineer. He was again called to work in humanitarian aid in Georgia as a delegate to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Jack became Chief Biomedical Engineer and oversaw the upgrade of medical systems in the renovation of the Operating Suite and the new Emergency Department. The extensive rebuilding program involved close association of the Biomedical Engineering Department and Jack’s extensive experience in hospital construction and equipment provision was most valuable in delivering these projects. . Jack was also part of a working group which developed the medical equipment asset management strategy for the Department of Health in Victoria.
Jack worked at RMH from November 2009 until he retired in 2017.
Jack returned to his native New Zealand after retiring from RMH.
Rest In Peace, Jack.
The President, SMBEVic
Lymphoedemas and other swellings – Getting the best results using shared objective findings
The Society is pleased to welcome Professor Neil Piller to speak on his work in the area of lymphoedema. Please join us on Tuesday 15 August 2023 at 6.00PM on the Zoom platform.Please register on eventbrite here. Registration is free.
Abstract: Lymphoedemas and other swellings – Getting the best results using shared objective findings
A primary lymphatic disorder may underly secondary lymphoedemas: an early sign of a functional deficiency in the system to remove the awaiting lymph load is the accumulation of fluid in and around the dysfunctional lymphatics. The first sign of a failing system is fluid accumulation, which can be detected by techniques including bio-impedance spectroscopy (indicating segmental or whole limb changes), or tissue dielectric constants (site-specific fluids at various depths); a failing superficial lymphatic system can be detected using Indo-cyanin green, a failing deeper one by lympho-scintigraphy. As lymphoedema progresses, there is increasing deposition of fibrous and fatty tissues, the former which can be detected by Indurometry, Tonometry etc.
Conservative treatment/management of lymphoedemas can be divided up into those which reduce lymph load and those which assist lymph flow such as manual lymphatic drainage, breathing, and exercise/activity. Depending on the stage of lymphoedema progression, other treatments range from low-level laser and electro-stimulation to negative pressure. A major issue sometimes compromising good outcomes for treatment relates to the delivery of an accurate pressure and pressure gradient as this is often the core of lymphoedema treatment.
Targeted and sequenced treatment based on objective information is crucial: the accuracy and integration of this information is critical for optimal outcomes for the patient and must be shared with them and an integrated health professional team.
Bio: Professor Neil Piller is Director of the Lymphoedema Clinical Research Unit at the Centre for Innovation in Cancer of Flinders University.
Neil has authored/co-authored over 200 journal/book publications, and has delivered approximately 30 invited international presentations. He holds editorial roles for the publications “Lymphatic Research/Biology”, “Lymphology”, “Phlebology” and the “Journal of Lymphoedema” and is patron of the lymphoedema Association of Australia, a patient advocacy group.
Neil and his team have a wide range of interests including the effect of vibration on normal and lymphoedematous legs, exploring the accuracy of applied pressure profiles in the lower leg. In conjunction with other national sites, he and his group trialled LYT-100 for the treatment of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphoedema and are moving on to an integrated study of the impact of a massage pad on leg lymphedemas.
Neil’s PhD students are currently researching the impact of climate/climate change on chronic oedemas, the benefits of digital accessibility in health care of chronic condition,s and the benefits of pre- screening programs for the earlier detection of lymphoedemas.
Neil is committed to improving the outcomes for lymphoedema patients by ensuring treatment strategies are targeted/sequenced to improve outcomes which meet patient functional and personal needs.