Biomedical Equipment: Repairing and Maintaining Biomedical Devices from edX

Maintaining and troubleshooting sophisticated medical instruments is not an easy task. In order to deliver effective care, the technician requires the knowledge of different aspects of biology and engineering. The different devices work in so many different ways and the literature about repair and troubleshooting is often hard to come by. It can be quite frustrating to search for solutions every time the operator encounters a problem. There is added pressure because the availability of medical devices is critical for therapeutic and diagnostic care. The longer a device stays out of operation, the slower the hospital would be able to deliver care to the patients.

This course has been designed by the interdisciplinary collaboration of both TU Delft biomedical engineers as well as the local expertise of the medical technicians of the Nick Simons Institute in Nepal to help new and emerging biomedical engineers/technicians working in low-income hospitals to care for biomedical equipment.

This course provides a compilation of the techniques hospitals use to effectively maintain and troubleshoot the medical devices so that repair time is reduced and the availability and safety of the medical devices is improved. Completing this course adds a complementary skill set to prior competence of the learner to perform maintenance routines and diagnose problems in sophisticated equipment with care. A faster service routine will help smoothen the process flow of the hospital and help extend the care to more patients. On a personal level, the learner can rely on the knowledge gained from this course as ‘the blueprint’ for whenever they have to maintain/troubleshoot any medical device.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand the basics of a variety of commonly used diagnostic, therapeutic and laboratory instruments
Effectively maintain, troubleshoot and repair biomedical instruments

Sharpen the skill set of troubleshooting a biomedical instrument in a short period of time
Reduce the repair time and cost by using effective proven strategies and practices

Understand the basics of a variety of commonly used diagnostic, therapeutic and laboratory instruments
Effectively maintain, troubleshoot and repair biomedical instruments
Sharpen the skill set of troubleshooting a biomedical instrument in a short period of time
Reduce the repair time and cost by using effective proven strategies and practices

Syllabus

Week 1: Basics of anatomy and physiologyBasic physical phenomena driving biomedical devicesThe need for proper and effective maintenanceThe need for swift and efficient troubleshooting

week 2:maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of diagnostic instruments. (Patient monitors, X-ray, and digital radiography)

week 3:maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of diagnostic instruments. (Ultrasonography, Otoscope)

week 4:maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of therapeutic instruments. (Ventilators, Oxygen concentrators)

Week 5: maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of therapeutic instruments. (Electrosurgical units, suction machines, anesthesia machines, Operating Theatre lights)

Week 6:maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of laboratory instruments. (autoclave, centrifuge, analyzer and colorimeter)

Week 7:maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of laboratory instruments. (microscope, haematometer, electrolyte analyzer, incubator water bath)

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides entry-level skills in medical device repair

Increases medical device availability

Offers practical applications for engineers and technicians

Focuses on sharpening troubleshooting skills

Balances biomedical engineering and medical technician perspectives

Reviews summary

Basic biomedical equipment repair

This course had the potential to be beyond amazing, but has basic content seeming as if it was acquired from service manuals. Learners say the modules are pretty basic.

Modules contain basic content

"The modules are pretty basic."

"It seems as if basic information from service manuals has been put up as teaching content."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Biomedical Equipment: Repairing and Maintaining Biomedical Devices with these activities:

Refresh Medical Terminology

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Refresh your knowledge of medical terminology to provide a stronger foundation for understanding the concepts in this course.

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Review a medical dictionary
Practice using medical terminology in sentences

Review Biomedical Engineering: Fundamentals and Applications

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Review the fundamentals of biomedical engineering to gain a better understanding of the concepts in this course.

View Biomedical Engineering Fundamentals (The... on Amazon

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Read the preface and introduction
Review the chapters on biomedical instrumentation and medical imaging

Join a study group for biomedical engineering

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Join a study group to discuss the concepts in this course and get help from your peers.

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Find a study group or create your own
Meet regularly to discuss the course material

Two other activities

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Volunteer at a medical clinic

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Volunteer at a medical clinic to gain hands-on experience with biomedical equipment.

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Find a medical clinic that is willing to accept volunteers
Assist the staff with the maintenance and repair of biomedical equipment

Practice troubleshooting biomedical equipment

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Practice troubleshooting biomedical equipment to develop your problem-solving skills.

Browse courses on Biomedical Engineering

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Find a set of practice problems
Work through the problems, following the steps in the troubleshooting process

Career center

Learners who complete Biomedical Equipment: Repairing and Maintaining Biomedical Devices will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Medical Repairer

Medical Repairers are tasked with maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing biomedical equipment found in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. This course helps build a foundation for Medical Repairers to be proficient at troubleshooting, which is a core component of their daily responsibilities. Additionally, this course places special emphasis on doing so within a short time frame, making this course specifically tailored toward a Medical Repairer's line of work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Repairer

Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical Engineers create, design, and develop new biomedical devices, from diagnostic and imaging machines to therapeutic equipment and prosthetics. This course provides Biomedical Engineers with a strong foundation for understanding the fundamentals of commonly used medical devices, prepping them for entry-level positions. Furthermore, it covers several types of instruments, from diagnostic to laboratory, ensuring that Biomedical Engineers are well-rounded in their knowledge.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biomedical Engineer

Clinical Engineer

Clinical Engineers work alongside healthcare professionals to ensure medical equipment is functioning correctly and efficiently. This course covers all the troubleshooting and repair skills Clinical Engineers need to succeed. Moreover, it emphasizes reducing service routine time, a high priority in a hospital's workflow, which is an essential skill for any Clinical Engineer.

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Biomedical Technician

Biomedical Technicians are responsible for maintaining and repairing medical equipment in healthcare settings. This course may be useful for Biomedical Technicians as it provides a comprehensive overview of diagnostic, therapeutic, and laboratory instruments commonly used in healthcare facilities. This may be particularly useful for Biomedical Technicians new to the field or looking to expand their knowledge base.

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Medical Device Sales Representative

Medical Device Sales Representatives act as liaisons between medical equipment manufacturers and healthcare providers. This course provides a strong understanding of different types of medical equipment and can assist Medical Device Sales Representatives in understanding the needs of potential customers and effectively promoting products.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects, ensuring they are completed within a certain timeframe and budget. This course may be useful for aspiring or current Project Managers, specifically those in the healthcare field. It provides insights into the troubleshooting and quick repair of medical equipment, which can be critical for ensuring smooth project execution in healthcare settings.

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Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts ensure that products and services meet the required standards. This course may be useful for Quality Assurance Analysts in the medical device or healthcare industry, helping them to understand the importance of maintaining and repairing medical equipment to ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance.

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Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Regulatory Affairs Specialists ensure that medical devices comply with government regulations. This course may be useful for Regulatory Affairs Specialists, providing them with a foundational understanding of medical equipment and the importance of proper maintenance and repair in maintaining compliance and patient safety.

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Healthcare Consultant

Healthcare Consultants provide advice and guidance to healthcare organizations on various aspects of their operations. This course may be useful for Healthcare Consultants working with hospitals or clinics, providing them with insights into the maintenance and repair of medical equipment, enabling them to better advise their clients.

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Medical Sales Manager

Medical Sales Managers lead and manage sales teams for medical equipment and devices. This course may be useful for aspiring or current Medical Sales Managers, providing them with a technical understanding of medical equipment and its maintenance and repair needs. This knowledge can help them effectively lead their teams and better serve their customers.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation, such as user manuals and training materials, for technical products and services. This course may be useful for aspiring or current Technical Writers in the medical device or healthcare industry, providing them with the necessary knowledge to write accurate and informative documentation on medical equipment.

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Equipment Planner

Equipment Planners manage the acquisition, maintenance, and disposal of medical equipment for healthcare facilities. This course may be useful for Equipment Planners, providing them with a comprehensive understanding of medical equipment and its maintenance and repair requirements. It can help them make informed decisions regarding equipment selection, maintenance scheduling, and budgeting.

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Hospital Manager

Hospital Managers oversee the overall operations of hospitals. This course may be useful for aspiring or current Hospital Managers, particularly those responsible for managing medical equipment and ensuring its efficiency and availability. It provides insights into the importance of swift and effective troubleshooting, as well as reducing repair time and cost, contributing to the smooth functioning of the hospital.

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Medical Equipment Designer

Medical Equipment Designers create and design medical equipment and devices. This course may be useful for aspiring or current Medical Equipment Designers, providing them with insights into the maintenance and repair aspects of medical equipment. It can help them design equipment that is easier to maintain and repair, leading to improved patient care and reduced healthcare costs.

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Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare Administrators manage the day-to-day operations of healthcare facilities. This course may be useful for aspiring or current Healthcare Administrators, particularly those responsible for managing medical equipment and ensuring its proper maintenance and repair. It provides insights into the importance of efficient repair time and cost reduction, which can contribute to the overall smooth functioning of the healthcare facility.

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