Block Imaging

Come visit us today and tomorrow at HTM Milwaukee! Kyndall LoVette from our team will be there to say hello!

Engineers: you’re troubleshooting a cath lab with no engineer onsite: just a nurse, a phone, and a time difference. What’s going through your mind? This actually happened to Mohammed, one of our engineers, this past month. This specific call had some unique challenges: - Customer outside of the US - No engineer onsite to help so instructions will be given to a nurse - Fixes done over the phone and video call - Limited available resources for help And Mohammed was their lifeline to getting the system back up and running. “I was troubleshooting from 10am to 10pm every day on this project, telling them what to do, step-by-step. They were my eyes and hands.” He helped them order a new computer, reload the software, reset the system, and troubleshoot the gantry positioning issues. With such complex systems requiring precise solutions, it can be difficult to know exactly what to do right away. But the first thing that goes through Mohammed’s mind is to calmly guiding the customer through questions to pinpoint the solution. Then, step-by-step, he helps the customer apply the fixes. We’ve heard from customers Mohammed has helped that he is great to work with and we can see why. How Mohammed handled this situation reveals how important it is to frame your work from a people matter mindset first. He told us that when he gets a call for system support, he’s actually excited. To him, it’s an opportunity to help someone who needs it. As a result, it helps our customers feel like they’re not alone. He loves that it doesn’t matter if this is a fix that will bring huge returns for the company or not, he views success as caring for the caller on the other end of the line. “We’re actually trying to help our customers. I feel really, really happy when I was able to help solve their problem.”

We’re hiring a Sales Operations Coordinator! You’ll be working with our wonderful team in Holt, MI👇 (and collaborating across marketing, product, and more). This role is part analyst, part operator. And you’ll work directly with our sales leaders to help them make smarter decisions, faster. 📊 You’ll own dashboards, scoreboards, and performance insights. 🛠 You’ll spot inefficiencies and smooth them out. 🤝 You’ll drive meetings that lead to action. This role is perfect if: → You’ve worked in sales ops, revops, or a similar support role → You can translate messy pipeline data into clean insights → You love turning chaos into structure We offer strong benefits, clear growth paths, and the chance to make an impact from day one. Apply here: https://bit.ly/4lU5WrW Or tag someone who would absolutely love doing this work.

Insane shot of the inside of a CT scanner taken by one of our engineers!

Routine tech support calls aren’t just for solving the immediate problem. They’re also about preventing the next one. When a customer called our tech support line to request a part, Matt, one of our engineers, asked for pictures to confirm the part number was correct. Based on the pictures alone, Matt was able to determine that the part in need was correct AND that the customer was going to need an additional piece to finish the fix. And Matt’s C-arm expertise helped him recognize that though the extra piece was not needed on all systems, it was needed for THIS specific system. Had this not been caught, the customer would have faced hours troubleshooting uncertainty to figure out what else they needed. So it’s not just that the fix was technically correct — it avoided a second delay or re-order. Matt says it’s pretty typical for customers to need a part they didn’t realize at first, but what’s not typical is having the technical knowledge or the machinery on hand to provide precise remote support. And after 6 years working on C-arms, Matt knows to ask the right questions to get the right parts the first time. He recommends knowing the manuals front to back but he says his team has an advantage when helping customers. They’re just a few feet from the equipment all day, making it easy to walk up to a system when the manuals don’t quite cut it. Having the hands-on access as part of their remote support helps catch any details that may have been missed. In addition, he always recommends engineers ask for photos or videos of the system they need to troubleshoot. When you want your tech support to go beyond, having a team that doesn’t just solve the immediate problem but also anticipates the next one is important. Next time you’re looking for a team that can provide this level of support, send us a message.

👋Calling all Michigan (or wannabe Michigander) engineers! We're looking to fill a Field Service Engineer position on the west side of the state. Interested in working on our team or know someone who might be? Check out the link or share with your network! 💼 Apply Here: https://bit.ly/46EQGuD

Our team members handled this Siemens CT deinstall over the weekend in Zion Crossroad, Virginia. 👏Great job team!

Deinstalls can be crazy. Imagine shutting down a lane in Madison Avenue in NYC to get a system craned out of the 10th floor ceiling. Or pushing a 6,800 lb CT uphill through a labyrinth of corridors in the basement of a large hospital, with barely half an inch of clearance above. Or walking 16 miles throughout the day between the imaging room and the loading dock, which are almost 2/3 of a mile apart. These are the kind of insane stories Andrew, one of our engineering technicians, has to share about deinstalls he’s worked on. How do they do it? According to Andrew, it comes down to planning and physics. “Everything we do is chess. You have to think two to three moves ahead.” He considers a deinstall a success when they know ahead of time what they’re getting into from the inspection. His team will use that info to: - plan for extra time - know if they’ll need help from the driver - stage a walk-through of the exit path - measuring each hallway to determine the turning radius - talk through the move As for physics, Andrew cites finding the center of gravity as incredibly important when moving heavy metal. (Something he learned from loading agricultural equipment on to big rigs before working at Block.) He jokes, “Archimedes said that with a big enough lever you can move the whole world.” And so when prepping his team, he prioritizes taking the time to plot out every move. “We’re not in a rush. And it doesn’t take that long but it gives you that much more confidence.” Andrew’s best advice is to be willing to learn new things, even if it’s a job you do over and over again. “If you’re teachable, that keeps you flexible. If you can take your ego out of it, that will be a win-win situation for everybody. I’ve seen guys get hurt because they’re not teachable.” He also says to remember to leave margin, both as part of the project and when pushing a system down a tight hallway: “There is always going to be something unexpected. If everything is scheduled down to the minute and if one thing catches you on the front end, it will domino.”

Having the most current info on MRI pricing could save you MILLIONS. So we're breaking down how much an MRI costs and why. Big thanks to Steve in walking us through everything we need to know about what goes into MRI pricing! P.S. Grab our MRI Project Planning Checklist in the comments below.

Buying a pre-owned MRI is kind of like buying a car. You’ve got options. You’ve done your research. You might even have a trade-in lined up. But when it comes time to make a decision, everything starts to sound like a pitch. If you’re heading into the process, here are four questions we always suggest asking. These work whether you're buying from us or someone else. 1. Do you really know the company you're dealing with? You don't just want the company name or the website. Give them a call. Ask who they’ve worked with. And try to talk to someone who’s bought from them before. A lot of companies are happy to just sell you a system and move on. But the best providers don’t just sell systems. They stick around to support them, and that’s the kind of partner you want. 2. Do you know what you actually need? Not everyone needs a 3T. Not everyone needs 16 or 32-channel coils. Before you go shopping, figure out what’s a must-have for your team. Whether it’s software, coil compatibility, or a specific field strength, get clear on it. That clarity keeps you focused and helps avoid paying for features you won’t use. If you're planning an MRI project, I'm happy to talk through all your options with you to help you get the perfect system for your facility. 3. Do you know your timeline? If you’re planning 3 to 6 months out, great. You’ll have more time to find the right system. But if you need to start scanning next month, we may need to talk about in-stock systems or even a mobile unit to bridge the gap. The earlier you start planning, the more options you’ll have. 4. Are you ready to move when the right system shows up? Used MRI inventory is limited. If you find a system that fits your needs, comes from a trusted provider, and is available on your timeline, it probably won’t sit around long. We’ve helped a lot of teams buy their first (and second, and third) MRI. And these questions make a big difference between a smooth install and a stressful experience. P.S. If you're just getting started or feel like you're stuck somewhere in the process, send us a message. We'd be happy to help you sort it out.