Paper Presentations

Medical Diagnostic Imaging Case Studies
David Rush & Maynard Perszyk, GE Healthcare Technologies

Major power quality issues can obviously be caused when diagnostic imaging systems in medical facilities are not wired or grounded properly. In some instances power quality issues can impact the operation of a diagnostic imaging system even when it appears to be wired correctly. This paper will review case studies of diagnostic imaging systems that have experienced major power quality problems impacting image quality as well as system reliability. A discussion of the issues encountered and how these problems have been resolved will be presented.

The Affects of Power Distribution Systems in Foreign Countries That Affect Not Only Healthcare Equipment But Other Facility Equipment
Harry Rauworth, GE Healthcare

As manufacturers sell and maintain equipment in a Global economy, the laws, traditions and installation philosophies can cause not only equipment problems, but also life safety issues. These issues are now causing many manufacturers to reevaluate their designs and installation directions. Some of these are requirements for Multiple Earth Grounds, unlike our NEC 250-58. Grounds being used as Neutrals, Ground and Grounded Conductor are the same –Are they NOT? Requirements for grounding the Neutral in remote buildings. In some cases it requires for a person to trouble shoot in areas that our not normal in a country with installation regulations like the United States.

The Human Cost of Power and Grounding Quality Within Healthcare Facilities
Rick Babinger, GE Healthcare

During an emergency angioplasty, the vascular radiologist has a catheter snaked from the femoral artery in your thigh and ending just before one of the chambers of your heart. There is a sudden and almost imperceptible blink of the lights. Everything seems normal but when the doctor steps on the foot switch to view the position of the catheter, the screen remains blank. Nothing he tries can resume x-ray generation. He has to pull the catheter out blind, and has no idea what effect this is having on you. The angioplasty and subsequent stent that was to open your closed artery, was never accomplished. Shortly after you die. You no longer care about power quality.