Volume 19, Number 1 ________________________________________September 2000

Message from the President

Welcome back,

Well it's the start of another BMETS year. I hope everyone has enjoyed his or her summer and found some relaxation. Summers always seem to be short and you should enjoy life, one day at a time. And just as in life, I hope you all are planning to enjoy each and every meeting we have planned for this year.

Don't forget to tell people about the website and about the application for membership found on the site. That's WWW.BMETS.ORG if you forgot. Drop a message to Rich and let him know what you think or send some information to update the website.

Let me take this time to remind everyone to renew their membership and to find some new members. As the Society stands right now, membership is our only means of acquiring funds for BMETS activities. You don't have to wait for the first meeting to pay your dues, but it will be accepted at any time. I look forward to see you at the meetings.

From the Treasurer. . .

The BMETS Organization has had a busy year and a succesful one with many new and exciting challenges. In order to remain a force in the BioMed field, BMETS has become a web-based organization. BMETS has registered a domain name and created a Web-site on the internet in early 2000. Users may seek this website by logging on to BMETS.ORG. This will allow us educational opportunities in this new information technology age.

In keeping with the BMETS Bylaws, a financial audit was performed in September 1999 for the previous year's accounts by Barbe and Associates. The BMETS Treasury was found to be financially sound and met the standards of the Organization. The Orgainzation benefited by continued BMETS membership growth. Vital to the Organization's growth was the contributions by various sponsors who provided educational resource support and challenging programs. We thank these sponsors for their generosity in devoting their time and effort in maintaining professional excellance for our members.

As the 1999/2000 term comes to a close, we look ahead to the new millenium and hope to meet the challenges of 2001. Maintaining a growth of membership is one of these challenges. The membership drive will begin in August 2000, and with earlier mailings it is anticipated that member's response for renewal will allow for earlier planning strategies for the forthcoming year. We need your help in quick response so we can initiate these activiteis. Also, we need your help in focusing on recruiting of new members to continue our growth. The more involovement we get from the membership, the stronger our organization will become.

Gordon Royer, Treasurer

Preventive Maintenance for Cables and Chains

1. Inspection. Cables and chains used in connection with counterweights and raising mechanisms must be inspected frequently. If one of these chains or cables breaks while in use, it is likely that the patient or operator will be injured and the equipment will be damaged. Inspection of cables may be facilitated by wearing cotton gloves and rubbing your fingers lightly along the cable. Any broken strands will snag the gloves. When broken strands are found, the cable should be replace. Visual inspection for wear is the only pratical method of inspection of chains. Pivot pins in that portion of the chain subjected to the greatest wear should recieve special attention and, if neccessary, replaced.

2. Lubrication. Cables and chains may be cleaned with kersoene or other solvents with a similar order of toxicity. If flammable solvents are used, precautions should be taken to eliminate the possibility of fire. After cleaning, cables and chains should be lubricated with a light oil. The oil should penetrate to the inner strands of cables since a rubbing action is imparted to the strands when the cable is flexed.