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Vanguard Awarded MRI Certification

Heavy lifting and rigging specialist, Vanguard, has been awarded the MRI Basics for Medical Installation Vendors (MIV) certification by Siemens Medical in Germany.

Up until now, Vanguard has only been active in the transportation and rigging of medical equipment. This installation certification ensures that the company is now capable of delivering a turnkey solution to Siemens Medical and other medical equipment vendors.

Vanguard sent two employees, both electrical technicians, to Siemens in Germany in March this year to complete the six week course. Along with a theory component, the technicians participated in two practical installations of the delicate MRI machines, one in Germany and another in Ireland and have since completed a full installation in Durban.

Steve Francis, Manager, Vanguard Medical Division, says this certification is especially important to Vanguard as they are the first outside company in Africa to receive it.

“The mechanical and electrical installation of the MRI machines is a precise task. The machine produces computer generated views of the body by using a magnetic field on hydrogen atoms in the body.

“The machine is equipped with liquid helium which is vacuum sealed. Liquid helium, used to cool the machine, is expensive in South Africa so the machines are air freighted from Europe. The cargo then needs to be transported from the airport to site where it is manoeuvred into place and installed. We complete the mechanical and electrical installation and Siemens Medical performs the final calibration.

“The machines are extremely expensive and are made to order for various customers. If the vacuum seal should break or any part of the machine gets damaged, extensive downtime is required for a new machine to be made and resent. Therefore, transport and installation needs to be undertaken with the utmost care and professionalism.”

Francis notes that Vanguard will use this certification from the current leader in the field, Siemens Medical, as a platform to extend the service across its product range and then to other medical equipment vendors.