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Ultrasound biomedical engineering: Going digital to reduce windshield time
As ultrasound technology evolves in both diagnostic capabilities and accessibility, the role of ultrasound biomedical engineering is also changing. Keeping up with advancements demands both innovation and adaptability.
Tighe Buskirk, an Imaging Equipment Specialist at St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN) in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has a unique vantage point on this rapidly evolving field. He has more than two decades of experience servicing MRI and ultrasound devices at SLUHN. Today he is part of an in-house team responsible for maintaining 405 ultrasound machines and 1,339 transducers. Their goal is to maximize device availability and minimize downtime so there is minimal disruption to their clinical use.
“Biomed was created to keep patients safe,” explains Tighe. “Our top priority is keeping these devices up and running to ensure they are safe for patient use.”
A growing ultrasound fleet
During Tighe’s time at SLUHN, the ultrasound fleet has significantly expanded, reflecting its growing role in patient care. Over the past decade, advances in technology and the rise of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) have driven this growth. To keep pace, the ultrasound biomedical engineering team has implemented innovative strategies to manage the workload efficiently.
“The amount of ultrasound devices has doubled, if not tripled, in the last five to ten years,” Tighe notes. “We’re on track to have dedicated ultrasound machines on every nursing floor within our network soon.”
Root causes of ultrasound service calls
Ultrasound maintenance often focuses on transducers and image quality. With over 1,300 transducers in use, daily issues like poor image quality or equipment failure are common and require quick and effective troubleshooting.
Connectivity problems present another common challenge. Ultrasound devices must integrate smoothly with other medical equipment, hospital information systems, and electronic health records (EHRs). Any disruption in these intricate workflows—such as those involving patient worklists, DICOM destinations, and image data transfers—can render a machine essentially unusable and require on-site visits to fix.
The growing use of handheld ultrasound devices adds further complexity. Unlike larger machines, these portable devices can be easily misplaced or stored in various locations, potentially complicating routine maintenance.
Too much ‘windshield time’
One of the most significant challenges Tighe and his ultrasound biomed colleagues face is the dispersed nature of SLUHN ultrasound fleet. With multiple sites scattered across a large geographical area, the time spent traveling, or “windshield time,” as Tighe described it, is a significant drain on resources. In some cases, it can take up to ninety minutes just to drive between sites.
As Tighe remarked, “On a beautiful day, I don't mind sitting in my car, rolling the windows down, and turning the music up. But in reality, we don't have time to be cruising around all day.”
Travel to each site is a particularly inefficient approach for diagnosing connectivity issues. A worst-case scenario is driving to a location only to discover that a device is offline due a broader IT outage—something that could have been addressed remotely.
The early impact of remote system monitoring
Remote device management is a promising advancement in ultrasound biomedical engineering, allowing engineers to check systems, monitor performance, and troubleshoot issues without traveling. This could boost productivity and reduce inefficiencies from dispersed equipment locations.
The team at SLUHN has started to leverage remote device management. Tighe recalls a recent success where he resolved an issue remotely by accessing the device’s network information and coordinating with the IT team. This capability not only saves travel time but also enhances problem-solving efficiency.
“I'm not going to call any of my sonographers and say, ‘Okay, take all these screws out, get this cover off,’ but when it comes to just triaging things and determining what kind of problem it is, remote diagnostics can make a huge difference—even if it only saves me a trip 10 or 15% of the time.”
Digital innovation will be part of ultrasound biomed’s future
Looking to the future, Tighe sees great potential to further enhance the ultrasound biomedical engineering function through more advanced remote fleet management and collaboration tools. "Remote diagnostics will exponentially increase our productivity. If we can monitor and troubleshoot devices remotely, it will be a game changer," he said.
Categories of digital innovation that will shape the ultrasound biomedical engineering function include:
- Remote management – securely accessing device information, monitoring operational status, and managing software updates without the need for on-site visits
- Remote troubleshooting – accessing device logs and network information to pinpoint the root cause of reported issues, such as connectivity disruptions
- Remote service – using screen-sharing tools to provide clinical staff with real-time support
- Insights and analytics – receiving alerts for key indicators such as battery life, power supply issues, CPU temperature, and DICOM queue status. By analyzing these data points, engineers can identify utilization trends, detect potential failure points, and optimize fleet health for more effective maintenance
- Predictive data – identifying patterns and anomalies in device performance to anticipate and prevent potential failures before they occur
Advice for new ultrasound biomedical engineers
For those entering the field, Tighe offers valuable advice: "Embrace change. This job is evolving rapidly, and being adaptable is crucial. Learn from your mistakes and focus on the details. It may take more time initially, but understanding the nuances of the technology will save time in the long run."
The digital transformation in ultrasound biomedical engineering represents a significant shift towards greater efficiency and effectiveness. By embracing digital solutions engineers can better manage the growing number of devices and complex technical workflows. As ultrasound technology continues to evolve, the ability to adapt and leverage digital solutions will be key to meeting the increasing demands and ensuring the safety and reliability of these vital medical devices.
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