Title: Medical Facilities Worried After Manufacturer Prevents DIY Machine Repairs
As corporations like Apple and Samsung embrace independent repair, and legislative bodies pressure companies such as John Deere to follow suit, resistance to the right-to-repair movement persists. Recent developments have seen medical device companies, such as Terumo Cardiovascular, prohibiting hospitals from self-repairing their equipment. Terumo, responsible for the Advanced Perfusion System 1 Heart Lung Machine, a device critical during open-heart surgeries, has decided to halt in-house repair certifications for their equipment.
In the past, independent repair technicians thrived, capable of fixing a myriad of devices, from TVs to dishwashers and automobiles. However, as hardware becomes increasingly filled with chips and software, companies like Apple claim the software on their devices is copyrighted intellectual property. Any tinkering could potentially pose security or reliability risks.
In response to criticism over environmental sustainability commitments and hampering repair capabilities that could extend device lifespans, Apple has slightly eased their grip on repairs. They now supply official replacement parts and repair tools for select devices, aiming to expand this support in the future. Although it may remain complicated to independently repair an iPhone, this is still a step in the right direction. Similar arrangements have been established with Samsung for smartphone repairs.
In many instances, modern devices have transformed into services rather than items that can be fully owned and customized. Devices, such as refrigerators and smart thermostats, require frequent returns to their original manufacturers for maintenance or upgrades. This trend for lock-in has resulted in waste, as replacing defective items may be more cost-effective than repair is.
Lock-in physics dictates that owing to the closed nature of repair contracts, hospitals might be able to procure repairs at cheaper prices if an open market for repairs were available. Research shows that some medical device manufacturers charge up to 2-3 times what independent technicians would charge, exacerbating the already-high healthcare costs.
A comparison to the past can be drawn through the automobile industry. For a prolonged period, independent auto body shops flourished, as BMWs or Fords could be serviced by anyone with the necessary tools. However, with the integration of digital information and increased reliance on software, access to diagnostic tools became essential, making it challenging for independent repair shops to maintain competitiveness.
Recently, lawmakers have expressed concerns that automakers are hindering the growth of independent repair businesses by denying them access to software data and diagnostics under the guise of security risks. Their actions may violate right-to-repair laws, which have been implemented in states like Massachusetts to enable independent repair shops to access software diagnostics.
The effects of lock-in are far-reaching. Independent repair shops are scarce when it comes to servicing Teslas, and even official Tesla mechanics have faced criticism for substandard service and high prices. In the case of Terumo, any delays in repairing critical medical equipment during surgeries could pose severe consequences.
Terumo has cited safety and complexity as justifications for discouraging independent repairs. Despite this, Apple has managed to integrate third-party repairs into their systems, which could set a precedent for other industries, including medical device manufacturing. The dedicated expertise and capabilities of hospital technicians should be sufficient for them to match the capabilities of Terumo's in-house technicians.
References:
- Korn, A. (2021, March 15). To repair or replace: Tech companies face increasing pressure to make devices easier to fix. The New York Times.
- Duraes, M. (2021, July 12). Medical device manufacturer Terumo contrasts with Apple on right-to-repair. 404 Media.
The rise of tech and technology in the future might challenge the role of independent repair technicians, as companies argue that software on their devices poses potential security or reliability risks. Despite Apple's initial resistance, they have started to supply official replacement parts and tools for select devices, indicating a shift towards a more open repair policy.
As we move forward, the right-to-repair movement could significantly impact industries like medical device manufacturing, where companies currently charge exorbitant prices for repairs. Emulating Apple's approach and integrating third-party repairs into their systems could be a promising solution to encourage competition and reduce costs for consumers.