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Accu-SPINA® Systems have established an excellent reputation for reliability and performance long after the warranty period has expired. Many SPINA Systems brand devices have been faithfully operating in the field for over ten years, with many owners reporting revenues well exceeding their purchase price in just the first year. With such a track record, it’s only natural that as doctors retire or clinics change hands, devices become available for sale second or third hand.
Because even used equipment requires an investment, here’s what you should know before you buy from a used equipment dealer.
IDD Therapy® treatment licenses are not transferable. That means that when a machine is sold second-hand, the seller cannot legally represent that right to use or in any way advertise IDD Therapy® treatment. This is a means of assuring the consumer who seeks out IDD Therapy® treatment that the IDD Therapy® treatment provider is utilizing factory-inspected quality equipment and has received their IDD Therapy® certification of training by factory authorized personnel;. If you buy a device from a used equipment dealer, advertising or describing yourself as an IDD Therapy® provider will only expose you to fines and penalties for unlicensed use and infringement.
Lightning speed advancement in the computer industry render older systems obsolete and without factory support. The Microsoft debacle called “Vista” led to the development of a completely new Microsoft operating system which only works on computers manufactured in late 2009 or newer because of different processor chips. North American Medical worked closely with Microsoft to develop the advanced proprietary software necessary to perform on this newest computer platform. It was critical, though costly to develop, because the industry will soon be unable to properly support computer running Windows 98 or Windows XP. While used-equipment dealers may claim otherwise, only NAM possesses the latest copyrights for 2010 Windows 7 medical device systems software.
Used equipment dealers are not regulated or inspected by the FDA. The cost of maintaining quality control personnel, ISO compliant systems and constant technology updating is not required of used equipment re-sellers. That is why only the original manufacturer can claim service and maintenance systems that meet or exceed the FDA medical device and safety standards.
Machines sold or moved outside of the factory authorized system are immediately void of any product liability support from the manufacturer. Because medical devices tampered with by someone other than the factory experts can lead to a dangerous malfunction, buying a second hand equipment from a used equipment dealer could put your patient at risk.
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