Doctor: Picking Up Attributes in the Hospital-Chapter 463 - 382: The Expensive High-Field Superconducting MRI Machine (Part 2)
For instance, regarding this patient, Zhao Heng and Huang Jincheng first performed a deep 3D scan on the patient. They could then use VR to simulate the upcoming surgery in advance. By browsing the patient’s MRI and 3D images, they could understand the possible situations during the surgery, thereby reducing risks and improving the surgery’s success rate.
"It’s good, but just too expensive."
Zhao Heng nodded. Such equipment is akin to the legendary weapons used by martial arts heroes in novels for a surgeon, significantly boosting the surgery’s success rate.
The reality is that hospitals nowadays are generally short of funds. Even though large hospitals have multimillion-dollar MRIs as standard equipment.
But, in fact, most of these multimillion-dollar machines are not purchased by the hospitals themselves.
Generally speaking, external capital is brought in to purchase such large equipment, and then profits are shared.
It’s an unavoidable situation. If hospitals were to spend so much money on acquiring such large equipment, they wouldn’t have funds for other things like renovating hospital districts.
"You get what you pay for."
Huang Jincheng said with some emotion.
A device costing more than a hundred million is naturally different from a conventional MRI costing one or two million.
A standard MRI can’t produce such structurally clear 3D images.
Although doctors like Huang Jincheng and Zhao Heng, in their positions as director and deputy director, already earn at the top tier among doctors,
this income is still a far cry from being able to afford these billion-dollar high-end medical devices.
Readers, at this point, should understand the importance of resource allocation for hospitals and doctors!
Because some things simply cannot be accomplished solely by doctors, or even hospitals.
Half an hour later, Zhao Heng and Huang Jincheng looked at the already scanned 3D imaging and marveled. In a way, it was simply detailed down to fibers; conducting surgery using this model was like having a cheat code for transparency.
"May I ask, is this imaging software developed as an integrated package?"
Suddenly, Zhao Heng asked the research technician sitting at the console.
Seeing such clear and extraordinarily detailed 3D imaging, Zhao Heng was intrigued by this equipment. While the hospital couldn’t currently afford it, the imaging software wasn’t as expensive. If they could acquire it, it could be used on a regular MRI with a 4.0T field strength.
Although the final level of 3D imaging wouldn’t reach the current research level seen here, it would still be sufficient for conducting surgeries.
"Not really. This imaging software is the 3D-DOCTOR software developed by Able Software, currently advanced internationally in 3D modeling, image processing, and measurement.
The researcher adjusted the frame of his glasses and spoke very rigorously.
"So this software can be purchased separately and used on other MRI machines or other examination equipment?"
Zhao Heng keenly grasped the key point the researcher mentioned and asked again.
"Theoretically, that’s the case."
The researcher nodded.
"How much does this imaging software cost?"
Before Zhao Heng could say anything, Huang Jincheng asked.
"This imaging software can be used in many fields, such as MRI, CT\PET, microscope imaging, and industrial image processing. The usage fee is roughly around a hundred thousand a year."
The researcher thought for a moment and spoke earnestly.
A software with multi-field applications naturally has broad adaptability, so the price for a single unit isn’t expensive, after all, low profit and high sales.
If used solely for medical imaging processing, the cost would be several times higher.
"A hundred thousand is doable."
Huang Jincheng pondered for a moment and said.
Zhao Heng listened but felt a bit uncomfortable; the medical software Anesthesia Assistant he developed with Wang Yaoqing was decent, but the annual usage fee was only around twenty thousand, a fifth the cost of this hundred-thousand software.
However, this imaging software applies to multiple fields, surpassing the technical level of the Anesthesia Assistant software Zhao Heng and Wang Yaoqing developed.
After all, the Anesthesia Assistant software is essentially a clinical database with analysis and judgment modules. From a creativity standpoint, it’s innovative, but technically there isn’t much originality. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚
Afterward, the patient was taken back to the hospital, and Zhao Heng also left Yanjing University. Looking at the time, it was already six in the afternoon.
By this time, it was already off work. Zhao Heng didn’t need to do the night shift, so he could go home.
However, at this hour, Xu Man Ni had already gone home since her parents had just returned, so she went back to her parents’ house.
As for Zhao’s parents, they’d likely be at the noodle shop, having already had dinner by this time.
Thinking for a moment, Zhao Heng glanced at Ruan Liuzheng standing beside him waiting for a cab.
"Teacher, would you like to have dinner together?"
Seeing Zhao Heng looking at her, Ruan Liuzheng smiled and asked.
"You really have foresight.."
Zhao Heng responded with a somewhat peculiar expression.
He hadn’t mentioned it yet, just gave her a look, and she already knew what he meant; it was genuinely intriguing.
Meeting someone with what seemed like a supernatural intuition, it was a first for Zhao Heng. Probably someone like Gao Qilan, a master in psychology, would find a person like Ruan Liuzheng very interesting.
"I usually don’t show it. Otherwise, people don’t like it."
Ruan Liuzheng said straightforwardly.
Interactions between people have boundaries since nobody likes being seen through.
"So why show it in front of me?"
Zhao Heng asked with interest.
It had to be said; this Ruan Liuzheng was a very interesting person, with an internal world that completely contrasted with her appearance.
"You, teacher, are straightforward and don’t mind such things."
Ruan Liuzheng replied sincerely.
Truly skilled individuals don’t fear having their thoughts exposed, or rather, top experts openly play their cards.
"I know a psychology master who’d surely take a liking to someone like you."
Zhao Heng chuckled and said.
Ten minutes later, at a restaurant near Yanjing University, Zhao Heng and Ruan Liuzheng sat face to face at a table by the window.
Zhao Heng casually ordered a few dishes, enjoying a pause while waiting for the food.
"This sense of relaxation, it’s been a long time."
Ruan Liuzheng suddenly sighed. Since starting medical school, whether studying or working post-graduation, she has constantly felt wound tight, never having a moment of relaxation.
"Being a doctor is tough. You could entirely consider other industries, even now, it’s not too late to switch careers."
Zhao Heng said casually.
Ruan Liuzheng was extremely smart; this was apparent to him. Even though she was already a graduate clinical researcher, she could choose not to be a doctor.
After all, medical-related jobs aren’t just limited to doctors.
To put it simply, many medical schools actually need teachers.
Medical journals, medical device companies, and others also require professionals with medical backgrounds.
"Being a doctor has been my dream since I was a child, no matter how hard or difficult, I’ll persevere."
Ruan Liuzheng smiled as she spoke.
She was speaking the truth. If not driven by dreams, a profession like a doctor, where investment and returns are disproportionate, most people can’t persist.
Regarding Ruan Liuzheng, after she graduated as a researcher, she found that more than half of her peers who studied clinical undergraduate with her were no longer practicing doctors.
"Would you like to stay on at the hospital?"
Zhao Heng looked at the resolute-eyed Ruan Liuzheng and suddenly asked.
"Of course, who wouldn’t want to in this cohort."
Ruan Liuzheng responded without hesitation.
Such matters aren’t worth hiding, and competitions nowadays are openly displayed.
"Then strive hard."
Zhao Heng encouraged Ruan Liuzheng, speaking.
Although impressed by Ruan Liuzheng already, he wanted to observe further.
