Medical devices: maintenance and obsolescence

Maintenance of medical devices is either curative, in case of a failure of the device, or preventive. Preventive maintenance (PM) is undertaken either at constant time intervals or when a given parameter crosses a specified l imit. The aim of PM is to amend wear from intensive use as well as from age ing. Normally, the modalities of PM are defined by the manufacturer who mus t anticipate the possible deficiencies of the device. Some manufacturers te nd to recommend exaggerated maintenance procedures. Obsolescence of a medical device is defined by one of the following criteri a: a) loss of its initial performances; b) development of medical technique s requiring a wider spectrum of performances; c) presence of new devices wi th improved securities. (C) 1999 Elsevier, Paris.