Probe Changes - New Styles, bodies and other improvements introduced
Probe development is an ongoing process. Our designers and engineers are constantly exploring new ways to improve upon our already industry-leading designs. Among the areas they are currently exploring are new materials and features.
HQC flash Line Expanded
Customers with HT312 & HT322 meters were restricted to just cardiac probes if they wanted to be able to use steam sterilization. That has now changed. Effective June 1, the HQC “flash” line has been expanded to include both vascular probes and probes for Carotid Endarterectomies.
EC-IC probes now available in Asia and Europe
At this time these probes are available in 16-use versions in the following sizes: 3mm, 4mm, and 6mm.
Probe Heads Standardized
For a variety of reasons, including increasing the ease of manufacturing, we have developed new molds for our “flash” probe heads. One benefit of these new molds is that they use a consistent scale for the probe heads. This results in a uniform “family” look to the probes and, in some cases, to a smaller probe head. These smaller probe heads do not change the accuracy or vessel range.
Customer Problems Lead to Other Improvements
Occasionally, we see a returned probe with a cable that looks like it has been stretched and twisted. Sometimes, the silicone on the section where the cable enters the handle has broken. The first thought that comes to mind is that the customer has been pulling on the cable to remove it from the meter. But, one long-time customer shared with us another possible cause—over zealous cleaning.
When cleaning the cable, this customer was holding one end in their right hand while their left hand held a cleaning cloth. They would then pull their hands apart, removing any foreign materials or fluids from the cable. While a natural way to clean cables, it can put undue stress on the cable and joint. Once they identified the problem, they changed the cleaning process and extended the life of their probes.
Identifying how the cables and connectors can get damaged isn’t the end of the story. It pointed out that we need to strengthen these two potentially weak spots. To that end, we are considering changing the cable used on the clinical probes and exploring alternative connectors including a stress absorbing spring inside the probe handle.
Having identified one possible means by which the probes can become damaged has provided one additional benefit—it has given us the test by which we can determine if our improvements correct the problem.
|
