Some of the UK Biomed Fraternity may be unaware of the following US websites:-

24x7mag.com
biomedrx.com
ditecnet.com
rsti-training.com

There may be many other good US sites. But these are the only ones I recall without my notes to hand. I notice that ebme already has a link to:-

rpiparts.com

Regards to all,

Geoff Hannis

==============

Long Live Low Life

Here's another couple of useful websites I came upon by accident, whilst looking for something else (isn't that the usual way?):-

http://www.healthservicetalk.com

http://www.bmetresource.com

Here are a few more that may prove useful:-

http://www.601help.com

http://www.kropla.com/electric.htm

http://www.techstreet.com

Plus better links to earlier ones:-

http://www.24x7mag.com

http://www.biomedrx.com

http://www.ditecnet.com

http://www.rpiparts.com

http://www.rsti-training.com

Here's a nice link which may prove useful for identification purposes (... or eye candy)?

Here's an interesting link for all you scholarly types. Come to think of it, why not submit your own papers?

If you're thinking of ordering tools and test equipment, electronics parts etc.from the States, this link looks interesting!

Here's a great resource for all you dedicated hardware hackers. What a gem!

Let's hear it for the Pinout Wizard Joakim Ögren (and his team). He's been at this for at least ten years. A real labour of love, and well appreciated all over the world. You see, good stuff doesn't have to cost the earth!

Just to add another link which I hope will be useful for those interested in how those big big machines(CT, MRI, PET etc.) work!
This link is held by US Philips Medical System but most of the basic working concepts of the big big machines should be easily understable through the web site!

http://theonlinelearningcenter.com/default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fmain.aspx

You may also gain a few certs out from this link if you pass the exams!

Enjoy!

It's a nice link, Lay Lay, and no doubt all very well if you're the proud owner of a nice fat VISA card. But some of us are more into open source, public domain and the "all information should be free" credo, you know (that's why we hang around in this forum)!

Some of us old hackers tend to regard that particular company, together with the other two or three big players in the medical equipment arena, in rather the same vein as others regard the likes of Microsoft Corporation!

Just to be fair (I do like to be fair and even-handed, you know), it should be acknowledged that those same big boys also sponsor this forum, thereby making it possible for old dinasours like myself to come on here Spreading the Word!

Speaking of which (Spreading the Word, that is), for all you insomniacs (and/or saddo's) out there, here's something that's being billed as more addictive than YouTube. Blabberize. Check it out, Dudes!

Sorry for my late response! I forgot to mention that the link is free to anyone for registration! That's where I gained a few of my certificates on CT, PET, MRI, etc. And I came across this web site was mainly due to I was trying to search for Medical Service Engineer (any title but with similar job functions as Clinical Technologist) at the start of my UK stay!

That's the beauty of the internet. You often end up with unintended consequences. In a way, it's random. A bit like life itself.

I lurk on quite a few forums. All tech ones, in case anybody's wondering. And this forum is undoubtedly one of the best. But like all internet forums (and clubs, societies, etc.), it's only as good as its membership. That's why I'm constantly urging fresh blood to join in the discussions. Please spread the word too, Lay Lay.

Oh, Geoff, before you even mention spread the word, I have already done so by e-mailing a professor in University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) as to share this forum or this link with his students/ subordinates and now I just hope more Malaysians will be aware of this web site and register themselves!

The internet is not only a fantastic resource, but it is (in my view) a great leveler. It encourages me to imagine our stereotypical tech, struggling away in some God-forsaken spot somewhere, being comforted by an ability to appeal for help on forums such as this one (there are others). I often wish it had been at our disposal in some of the places I myself have toiled away at in the past.

Of course that presupposes access to the web, but from what I see and hear, universal access is becoming more and more of a reality. I consider myself lucky to have lived to see it, and in some small way, be part of it too.

It's people power, and most of the regimes in the world will never get it! Just look at what's going on in certain areas of the world today (any day). The first thing the old fossils always try to do is to curtail access to the net. Viva la Revolution! Let us techies not only be part of it, but also take the lead!

I´ve find many cool UK websites, but here´s other US link that I recommend:

http://www.commonsensedirections.org/

There´re many discussions about accreditation and risk management.

I hope that it be useful.

Thanks,

JE

Yes, that’s a good one jose. It was put together by Alan Pakaln, a 25-year veteran of the biomed game, and is, therefore, well worth paying heed to.

Especially as the thing about common sense is that it just ain’t that common! It was ever thus (and appears likely so to remain, I’m afraid).

Here's a good one that I hadn't come across before:- partsport. Could be useful for people with no problems about ordering from the USA.

The "common sense" link does not have a lot of common sense on it.
Which one invented the time machine?
Robert

Especially when Korotkoff was born in 1874

Here's a nice link (that I stumbled upon by accident, as usual). Especially for anyone intrigued by what is meant by a "repairman's special"!

Double-click on each of the pictures to feast your eyes upon the goodies shown. There's some interesting stuff there.

Wow, that Neurodyne-Dempsy takes me back.

First saw that model on day one in Al Kharj in the eighties.
It's probably still in use... Ah memories

Here's a nice on-line catalogue that some may find useful.

Others may even be interested in this auction site. They have a nice parts section on there.

Here's a nice blog being put together by a guy called Marcelo Antunes in São Paulo. Perhaps he needs some encouragement?

Here is a brilliant reference for all those scholars out there!

Meanwhile, here's yet another nice one for your collection. Notice how cheap the (batteries, ECG cables etc.) prices are out in the US (when compared with the gouges we are used to in the UK)!

Dear Geoff
We also manufacture & assemble Spo2 & Ecg/Ekg cables here in Pakistan for v less amount than US & UK. Using IR/RED LED sensors & detectors from USA, kevlar cable for spo2 & ecg. Let me know if u need any help from me :-)
Take care my freind u are great.
Regards
Laiq

Well, i don´t know if everybody is aware, but the IEEE has a society called Product Safety Engineering Society that deals mostly with standards, compliance and tests. Their website is at http://ewh.ieee.org/soc/pses/

Their website has a lot of info, but the section i like the most is the archive of The Product Safety Newsletter, whose best feature is the Technically Speaking column by Rich Nute, in which he manage to discuss compliance tests in an interesting way. A must read!

Thanks for that, Laiq. We in the UK suffer more than most under a heavy burden of taxation, and this is why stuff costs so much here. Not only do we have to pay Customs Duty on imported goods (which, regrettably, is almost everything these days), but we also have to pay for the privilege of being a member of the wonderful European Union, by way of a so-called "Value Added" (?) tax set at 17.5%. We're a gouged nation, Mate. Why people still keep coming here in droves is beyond me (most of us already here want desperately to escape)!

Here is a new blog that may be worth keeping an eye on. Originating from Brooklyn, New York it may have a different slant on things to what we're used to in the UK. But all the more interesting for that, I reckon.

(when I saw "Stock List" I thought he was talking about spare parts)!

Thanks for the tip Geoff, this is a new one i wasn´t aware of.

Slowly, the number of blogs about the area is increasing. This really make me happy.

Fyi, here are some others that i follow:

Krower Consulting

Bob on Medical Device Software

Medical Device Blog

Medical Connectivity

Nice ones, Marcelo. Thanks for that.

OK, this looks like a great site for centrifuge spares!

Here's another useful site:- NODEVICE.com. Notice that they also offer manuals. Hope you have a PayPal account!

How about an on-line spelling checker? It's something that's badly needed by many who post on this forum (in my humble opinion).

So here's the link:- http://www.spellchecker.net/spellcheck/

Why not craft your draft in there, then hit the [Spell Check] button to check for gaffs before finally posting on the forum for all to admire (it only takes a few seconds)!

Thank's for the spell Chequer link Geoff.

From one who was badly in need!

But it is US "English"
Sew mi spelin wont bee eny beter.
Robert

If you think people on this forum need help spelling you should check out every other forum out there!

You can select British English from the menu Rojo.

... including, for instance, the "comments" offered in response to news items on the BBC website. But we don't want to sink to that level, do we?

http://www.faqs.org/rfcs/rfc1855.html
RFC1855 - Netiquette Guidelines

I never was much interested in following other people's rules.

My own view is that if someone can't be bothered to extend the courtesy of legibility in their "messages to the world", then it's probably an indication that they can't be bothered full stop!

Why should the internet tolerate stuff that wouldn't pass muster in the classroom (or, come to that, the workplace)?

But the problem these days is that poor spelling and grammar do pass muster in the classroom, witness my grandsons english class book (including various comments by the teacher).

... misspelt (or, if you prefer, misspelled) I trust?

It's all part of the so-called dumbing-down of this once-great nation. Others may subscribe to it, but (like a lot else) I never shall.

Capital "E" Dicky.

See me.

Should be grandson's too, I'm afraid.

(but as Dicky is an Old Buddy of mine, I was going to "cut him a little slack", as they say ... that, plus the fact that I noticed it was nearly his going-home time)!

oops!

Don't worry Dicky, I'm sure I'll give you plenty of opportunity to get your own back!


Best wishes,

Paul

A recommendation to one and all is to read the book "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" which gives good examples of incorrect punctuation giving different meanings.
Also, if a person cannot be bothered to read their missive back to themselves before posting, then this is just laziness. And if they continually make spelling mistakes, well...!!!!!

All I can say in my own defence is that I didn't proof read as I usually do,my lift home had just arrived and was standing behind me tapping his size 12s.

Actually Geoff I think it was Miss Williams not Miss Pelt!

Sorry Old Mate, but qui s'excuse s'accuse!

True

To all who are curios to know more about the techs and biomedical engineerimg in east-africa,you can proceed from here

Interesting. Can we assume that you're active in the Association yourself?

I would be interested in hearing more about how technology can deal with HIV-AIDS.

Meanwhile, do you have any clues about what MDGS stands for?

Though not in the organising commitee the MDGS must be this " MDGs".Well the association is still young and has very few members and thats why we are flexible in members qualification and proffesional background,here it is possible to be employed(biomeds) without belonging to any proffesional organisation.some techs dont even know the association exists,and even the site is evidently an "eleventh hour" work.Not an active member,but the HIV/AIDS subjet

The first thing that website needs is a link to this one! Share the info. and spread the word!

And how about it Huw ... we could have links from ebme to biomed sites such as AMEK?

MDG's : noble sentiments, and let us all hope that those goals are met (but I can't help but recall "Health for All by 2000")!

We don't actually have any form of web-linking at the moment (although it is something we've done in the past). I'll look into it.

As we know, this forum benefits from contributions from many parts of the world. But not enough (in my opinion). For instance, we do not often hear from those in the United States. Perhaps this is because biomeds in the States are already well organized with their own groups, associations and websites. Perhaps we should link to those too.

In my conversations (and emails etc.) with many biomeds all over the world, I can report that (to many) this forum is still regarded as "simply" (their wording, not mine) a "talking shop for biomeds in the UK's NHS"! Personally, I would like to see us move on from that perception of what the site is all about.

It's all in the name perhaps? They don't like .co.uk ??

Perhaps they would prefer .com ?

I don't know Geoff, I see that the American biomeds don't really use a 'forum' system. They use (what appears to me, to be) a somewhat old-fashioned listserve email system.

Well yes, the name ... I wonder, if you were starting over (note that I'm using that phrase for the benefit of our Stateside friends), would you still use ebme?

And yes, biomeds "over there" were traditionally into Bulletin Boards when such things hardly existed at all here in Good Old Blighty.

The .com point is a valid one, too. Why not link ebme.com (or even some other "catchy" name) directly to this forum?

But, what do all the others think, I wonder? Let's hear from you (them)!

The .com or .org point should be given a thought,especially if some biomeds regard this forum as a"UK's NHS" thing.I'm urging members from other parts of the world to participate actively in the forum and 'spread the word'.ebme is well represented in most far places like Riyadh and Pakistan,what is wrong with africa?ofcourse internet is one of the problems
Changing .co.uk is not the best idea maybe a link

Don't forget (and dare I mention it yet again), that there are also many lurkers out there. That is, people who often keep an eye on what's going on here, but never make any contribution to the discussions themselves. This is indeed a great pity, as we are always in need of new ideas, fresh opinions, from different perspectives, etc., etc. We need to share the wealth (of knowledge and experience). And ... things get especially quiet during the night, and at weekends!

How is the situation regarding access to the web in Africa these days? I had understood that things had greatly improved, and that access was approaching "universal". I certainly receive email correspondence from such places as Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda. Perhaps it is difficult to generalize; Africa is a pretty big place, after all.

Internet connection is mostly through 'dial-on network' in the case of kenya,but I would also like to tell the "lurkers in the background" share the knowledge and spice up the forum
intresting

How about this? Public Domain, or what?

By the way, has anybody here got a Huntron tracker? And let's hear it not only for David Meador, who wrote the piece, but for good old William of Occam, who may have inspired it.

It is interesting to note that, in his earlier piece, David asserts that "user error gets a lot of blame, but it is actually rare"! Anyone care to comment on this?

Addendum: there is a Huntron 5100-DS currently up for grabs on eBay, where it is described as a "computer controlled PCB tester" (and is offered complete with its PC). The seller calls himself "Arcader", and is located in the south of Cumbria (so it's not Billy, then). Interestingly, he also offers repairs to "game board" PCB's.

I'm not talking bulletin boards Geoff (This after all is a BB). They actually use an email system. You subscribe to a list and then get an email each time someone responds. (You can also choose a daily digest by email.)

I've never actually encountered user error.

Oh hang on, there was that time that they put the batteries in the wrong way around.

Oh yeah and that time that the picture was upside down. (The camera was upside down!)

Oh yeah and that time the monitor had a blank screen (brightness turned down.)

Oh and that time...

Mornin' Huw (you're up and at it early today ... or was it another all-nighter, Mate?).

Yes, I've heard that busy people (you know, ex-merchant bankers, John Sandham, CEO's and the like) actually pay others to email them daily (hourly) links to "must see" stuff. There's an idea ... I think I'll offer such a service to users of this forum (daily rates apply).

But you're right ... what do they call that? And, thinking about it, perhaps it's not such a bad idea. How much would it cost to subscribe, I wonder?

In response to your post above:- perhaps they're not that dumb in the States?

One time it was a faulty switch;the cable was not pluged to socket outlet.Some user errors are funny,though hard to admit they lift your up spirit.

Sure you find them everywhere not only on this forum!

A good user error is hitting CTRL, ALT and the Down Arrow at the same time!!!!!! (Send private message for cure!!??)

And (it may not be well known) that the famous "three figured salute" was a quick and dirty kludge coded by an IBM programmer called David Bradley to cause a gentle re-boot during development of a well-known operating system. If my memory serves me well he was coding the keyboard mapping routines at the time, and (as often is the case during development) his machine kept locking up. So, to avoid having to keep groping about with the physical switches, he patched the Ctrl+Alt+Del hot-keys to cause the well-known "soft reboot". Like a lot of good temporary solutions that worked (can anyone list a few others?), this "feature" became permanent!

These days, of course, this "short cut" calls the Windows Task Manager.

For more, see Ctrl+Alt+Del.

Here's a rich source of up-to-date info.

It might be worth signing up for the (free) emailed newsletter.

And here's another.

Here's a link that has been passed to me that looks like it may be useful to all you Road Warriors out there.

Frixo is a road/motorway traffic reporting site. It gives up-to-date information as it gets updated every three minutes via feeds from various sources including the Highways Agency.

Here's another handy-looking site that I can across serendipitously. I haven't tried it myself yet, but doubt that you'll find much about medical equipment there. If anyone finds it useful, why not let us know?

Here's another one that may prove handy:- various computer connection pin-outs.

If (like me) you are into refurbing old kit (!), you might like to take a look at Retrobright (which I've found on one of the other tech forums that I sometimes haunt). If anyone has tried this sort of thing, or has any similar experiences to report, please feel free to pipe up!

I found an "obsolete" Neutrik XLR LNE connector (for kit that was about 25 years old) at AudioSpares.com. Recommended.

Here's another useful source for "obsolete" parts and components:-

N-tronics

Nice looking website, too. It reminds me of Guinness, for some reason.

Here are another couple of links that look like they may be useful. As usual, I came across them merely by chance:-

Schematics for Free and the SFF forum.

Feedback (regarding usefulness, etc.) would be most appreciated.

And ... here's some more about our old favourite, the SMPS (the .pdf looks OK - even if it does make a play at selling an ESR tester). I don't know about y'all, but I quite like Jestine Yong's stuff. We could do with someone like him to "cut through the ..." er, fog of biomed, I reckon.

Here's a link that has just been passed to me on another forum.

Keyboards

Could be useful.

Old Sad Things ... nothing more to say really.

Better get this one added to the list as well!

"Beyond Logic" ... it's a great resource when it comes to interfacing, and good stuff like that. Let's tip the hat to Craig Peacock.

Here are some links that may be of interest:-

4D Systems

GPEG

Milford

Wasn't someone on here recently asking about displays, touch-screens ... and stuff like that?

Take a look at Craft Data.

Here's another link that could be useful:-

Grayhill

Take a look at the range of stuff listed at the left-hand side of the page.

Notice too the link to Qmed.

Here's another engineering link that could be useful:-

Engineers Edge

I'm sure I can't be the only one who gets on here who is a great fan of Melvyn Bragg's long running radio programme "In Our Time".

If, on the other hand, you have literally never heard of this ... then I would strongly recommend the latest broadcast. Only 45 minutes long (and with a Part Two to follow), it discusses one of my own *favourite topics:- the Industrial Revolution in England.

Enjoy!

And, if you want to dig a bit deeper, here is the Wiki link.
__________

* In that it is a period of great moment (advancement, change) in both social and technological history.

Seeing that the Good Citizens of Airstrip One aren't 'sposed to just chuck old PC's (and similar) in the bin these days (?), here is a link that y'all might want to keep handy.

I wonder if any of 'em accept old infusion pumps, as well?

Version 4.1 of the handy utility "Electronics Assistant" is available to download.

Please consider making an appropriate donation!

Here we have a manufacturer of custom printed circuit boards in Phoenix, Arizona.

This information came to me as if by magic over the Wonderous Workings of the World, and I hereby pass it on to All and Sundry in the hope that someone might find it useful.

In this regard you may also need to check out Gerber files!

Here's something else that's hot off the press.


Nice kit, by the look of it.

They're lucky *guys, those American biomeds.

* Intended as a gender neutral term, of course!

Wasn't someone on here looking for LCD display stuff the other day?

Anyway, I've just come across this wealth of information.

Also this. In case anyone doesn't already know, AUO is a major manufacturer of LCD screens. Also in the UK (as is generally the case, other suppliers are available).

Here's a brilliant site that I came across recently.

There's an absolute abundance of information there (a lot of it amusing, as well).

If only medical equipment sites were as informative as this!