Clinical research data at the touch of a button with compact Citizen printers

Magstim, the pioneer in nerve stimulation and monitoring, has complemented its range of state of the art clinical research instruments with the portable PD-24 printer from Citizen Systems Europe, the leading manufacturer of high quality label, barcode and portable printers. The compact printers are enabling end users of Magstim’s magnetic stimulators and nerve monitors to produce critical information more quickly and simply than previously achievable. 

Magstim manufactures and supplies magnetic stimulators and nerve monitors used in clinical research and surgery. Its magnetic stimulators generate electrical activity in the brain by placing specially designed coils close to the head or other parts of the body to send strong, but brief and painless, magnetic pulses into a patient’s neural circuitry to improve the function of the nervous system. The company’s Neurosign Intraoperative Nerve Monitoring (IOM) equipment helps to reduce the risk of nerve damage during surgery by monitoring motor nerves before and after an operation.

With these systems, users need to be able to rely on printers to produce print outs clearly, quickly and simply, in order to give them access to critical information. Andrew Thomas, Managing Director of Magstim, explained the problems that existed with using standard printing technology, “The conventional ink jet printers that were previously used with our instruments were bulky, noisy and unreliable; in particular, they were totally unsuitable for use in operating theatres and other similar environments where the technology is normally used. As more and more conventional printers featured solely USB connections, operating theatres had to spend time and money to upgrade existing serial bus ports to accommodate the printers. In response to these issues we looked for a printer that would be tailored to the needs of our end users, and that would complement our cutting edge products, rather than hinder them.”

The portable PD-24 from Citizen offered Magstim the perfect combination of simplicity and performance. Unlike the machines used previously, the PD-24 printers are extremely simple to set up and use, featuring an easy to load clamshell mechanism and intuitive menu system. These features minimise the risk of problems such as media jamming, while the high speed thermal head of the printer allows printing at up to 50mm per second, with a 120mm print out taking just four seconds to provide users with vital information virtually immediately.

Furthermore, measuring just 147x140x63mm, the PD-24 offers an ideal solution for areas where space is often limited. Its wipe clean exterior and rugged construction also eliminate the Health and Safety and hygiene issues associated with earlier devices. Additionally, the PD-24’s internal battery pack allows the printer to be used wherever it is needed with no need for trailing power cables.

Andrew Thomas commented, “Supplying the PD-24 as standard with our magnetic stimulators and nerve monitors has considerably enhanced the performance of our cutting edge instruments. End users can rely on the new printers to give them the information that they need extremely efficiently, so that they can focus on critical procedures. In fact, the PD-24 is working so well that we are looking into incorporating the technology further into our products in the future to further develop what is a perfect partnership of technologies.” 

For further information contact Mark Beauchamp, European Marketing Manager.

- E N D -