Update: The Newest, Certified Safety-Compliant Power with an Energy-Saving Edge From REO-USA
REOMED 3rd Edition isolation transformers exceed latest IEC 60601-1:2005 and UL 2601 standards while reducing energy losses nearly 50% or more
INDIANAPOLIS — Compromising safety is never a good idea, especially when patients and practitioners as well as costly medical equipment may be at risk. That's why the International Electrotechnical Commission amended IEC 60601-1:2005 (3rd Edition), broadening the standard to include a wide range of home health care and point-of-use medical devices.
It's also why REO-USA has certified its REOMED line of medical isolation transformers to comply with IEC 60601-1:2005 (3rd Edition), as well as the UL 2601 standards for safe use in medical applications.
"Leakage is the critical safety issue," says Rick Jones, Sr. Director of Engineering for the Indianapolis, Indiana-based firm. "Leakage of electrical current during applications of electro-medical technologies creates a hazard for patients and practitioners alike."
"A small amount of current can cause a large amount of damage in medical applications. And most medical examination as well as surgical procedures today involves electricity, from body scanning and electrocardiograms (EKG) to dental treatment."
Exceeding safety standards while delivering a huge efficiency edge
IEC 60601-1:2005 (3rd Edition) and subsequent amendments establish global standards designed to ensure risk-free operation. According to Jones, REO-USA's REOMED 3rd Edition and REOMED II isolation transformers not only conform to the latest standards, but exceed them by a large margin.
"IEC 60601 calls for leakage to be under 1000 microamps (µA)," Jones says. "REOMED 3rd Edition transformers are less than 500 µA, providing more than twice the required safety margin. And REOMED II units are more than 10 times lower: less than 100 µA."
Jones says that, while some American companies are working towards complying with the IEC and equivalent UL standard, growing awareness of safety issues may make certified compliance a must as electrical medical devices continue to proliferate. "Why risk dangers that can be readily avoided, when standards have been set – and met - by firms such as REO-USA?"
Energy efficiency, however, is where medical equipment manufacturers often look for an edge. This is another area, Jones contends, where REOMED isolation transformers also shine.
"Our toroidal core transformers reduce energy losses to about half the loss incurred with conventional transformers, at every power capacity level. The symmetry of our design, which constrains virtually of the magnetic field to the core, plus the quality of material we use, contributes to the high efficiency these transformers deliver."
Vital inrush protection as well as EMI reduction
REOMED's toroidal design also reduces electromagnetic interference (EMI) radiated by the core. "Our medical transformers have very low magnetic stray fields – very low," Jones emphasizes. "In addition, they're encapsulated. You could put one next to a computer without fear of EMI issues. With so many electrical medical devices in use today – often in close proximity – minimizing EMI is a key consideration."
Jones also points out the very technology that enables so many medical devices to monitor, measure and/or perform with such precision, increases their sensitivity to damaging inrush events.Â
"We offer a number of inrush current limiter options – NTC or NTC with time delay, for example, electronically damped start-up, and more – which can be integrated into standard transformer models with varying VA capacities."
An equi-potential earthing pin conforming to DIN 42801 manufacturing standards, a primary mains line and over-current protection are also part of each REOMED device.
REOMED 3rd Edition and REOMED II options fit right into existing device designs
Standard REOMED transformer models can be matched to virtually any existing or in-design medical equipment for rapid marketplace deployment.
Jones notes that they're available in a wide range of power ratings: 300 to 2200 VA for REOMED 3rd Edition; 660 to 2000 VA for REOMED II transformers, with outlets for connecting up to nine different devices. Lightweight and easy to use, they can be mounted on a wall, bench or on the floor.
Whatever their location or application, Jones adds, "Health system patients and medical practitioners expect and deserve nothing less than the best our industry can provide: Safety. Efficiency. Medical device protection."
For more information, call (317) 899-1395, email info@reo-usa.com, or visit www.reo-usa.com.
