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Barbara Kram, Editor | December 30, 2009
"The MRI trailer is the most complex because you have chillers to keep the jacket of the MRI at a certain temperature," Smith said. "RFI shielding is very difficult to install and maintain. Then you have the metallic, steel shielding to contain the gauss field - all technical challenges that require tremendous expertise."
When PET is matched with CT, other design obstacles present themselves because the patient table cannot move without disturbing registration between the two modalities. So the trailer must be designed and built to prevent twists or turns when being set up onsite. (Read about Medical Coaches' PET/CT auto-leveling technology at DM 10014.)
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Exterior of a mobile O/R
by Calutech Mobile Solutions
In terms of business trends, medical trailer companies are consolidating. For example, in 2001, AK Associates bought Calumet Coach to form AK Specialty Vehicles. Oshkosh then acquired them in 2006.
Few players remain that have the expertise to compete in this sector.
"It's a fairly controlled field of competition because the trailers that house MRI and PET/CT are extremely sophisticated with special suspensions to make sure the equipment is not affected by shock and vibration," Smith said, noting also the interior climate control and complexity of maintaining the MRI magnet. "The OEMs have very detailed programs of evaluating potential manufacturers. And once the manufacturer is approved as a potential supplier, they have to build a unit and go through extensive tests. The cost of entry in out-of-pocket and engineering time makes it difficult for anyone to come in. The market is not growing; it is shrinking, so it makes the investment impossible to recover."
Refurbished Resurgence
Nobody knows where health care reform will settle, but given today's economy and health care debate, all trends increase pricing pressure for OEMs, mobile service providers and health care institutions looking for competitive alternatives.
As a result, another bright spot for the industry is the refurbished market, which is an economical alternative. While sales of new trailers are down, the refurbishers are generally reporting steady business.
