Driving Innovation in Medical Technology: Software Engineer Rahul P. Mahajan’s Journey in Revolutionizing Development and Testing Machines

The medical technology industry is uniquely demanding and heavily regulated. The FDA approval processes and compliance with HIPPA and other healthcare standards can be stressful and rigorous to keep up with. This constant need for stringent validation, quality reassurances, and adherence to ethical guidelines means that mistakes can have life-or-death consequences, adding significant pressure on the engineers and scientists working on building life-changing medical equipment and drugs.

Therefore, a successful career in medical technology requires not only technical expertise but also a thorough understanding of regulatory requirements, making it significantly more demanding than many other IT fields.

Rahul’s educational background and contribution to cancer scanning equipment:
Rahul P Mahajan is an IT engineer from Pune. Rahul is an expert in Medical device software development on the UNIX/Windows platform in C/C++ Application Design and Development. He has an extensive experience of more than 18 years in Software development and has worked with some of the top scientists and engineers around the world in the course of his career. Rahul has been working for 11 years at Philips Healthcarecontributing to developing several groundbreaking machines used in cancer diagnosis.

Rahul’s stance on why he chose to dive deep into the tough waters of the medical device industry:
Rahul finds working in the medical industry both thrilling and fulfilling, allowing him to make a meaningful contribution to society. With over 11 years of experience working on projects for Mammography, PET, and SPECT machines, he has played a significant role in improving the safety and efficiency of these vital diagnostic tools for cancer patients.
Rahul says, “I begin each workday with a mindset focused on ‘quality and integrity always’ mindset, adhering to rigorous quality control, following strict regulations, and ensuring transparency and accountability, all while maintaining vigilant post-market surveillance. My team and I are committed to driving innovation, continuous improvement, and data-driven decisions. We always welcome feedback and strive to achieve quality and integrity through high standards, attention to detail, and creating reliable, durable solutions that ensure longevity.”

Contribution to Increasing Safety & Efficiency of Mammography Devices:
Microdose SI Mammography Machine is a device that delivers efficient dose management, excellent image quality, and spectral applications, all in one fast and comfortable mammogram. It’s designed as a platform for future innovations like spectral tomosynthesis. Rahul’s work on this product has been significant. The major significance of projects in which Rahul contributed was achieving the best in design, performance, and debugging of motion control. In the photon counting ASIC analysis test workbench project, Rahul focused on developing a simulation to analyse the performance of a photon-counting ASIC before embedding it into an X-ray detector. He tested key features like data acquisition (DAQ), count, exposure channels, and voltage readings, ensuring the ASIC’s intended capabilities. The major impact of his work was achieving an in-house testing capability of the ASIC, repairing capability enhancement, and reliability endorsement. Rahul contributed to designing and development of C-arm Collision Detection Algorithm to address the load cell force measurement in C-arm systems, where hysteresis led force readings enhanced to avoid non-linear directional fault and improved collision detection, thus enhancing patient safety. Another significant contribution Rahul delivered in improving the performance of the Automatic Exposure Controller (AEC) by integrating it with an advanced High Voltage Generator (HVG). The system integration with EPS 45-80 RF, features high efficiency, modularity, and advanced self-diagnostics, offering improved performance and reduced power consumption for X-ray systems.

Contribution in CAPA, Image Reconstruction and PET systems:
Rahul served a crucial role in providing solutions in Corrective Action and Preventive Action (CAPA). Rahul participated in providing solutions in hand controller CAPA where he implemented software improvements and verification protocol execution. Rahul focused on enhancing the RF signal handling firmware software improvement in the system remote HandController helping precision in motion control, leading to improved and reliable motion axis movements. He is also equally participating in PET system software improvement projects like Ingenuity TF system. He also contributed to operating system upgrades in the image processing unit where he implemented software porting, device software integrations, security upgrade integration and verification activity. Reflecting on teamwork, Rahul says “I feel proud everyday to be part of Philips Healthcare where we team up to win and believe in synergy, mutual respect, open communication, shared responsibility, adaptability and trust.”

Contribution SPECT Devices to enhance reliability by improved Motion Control:
Rahul also worked on the powerful and reliable BrightView XCT, a state-of-the-art SPECT system designed for nuclear medicine, combining advanced technologies to deliver high-quality imaging for improved patient care. Rahul contributed to improving the design and implementation of forward and inverse kinematics algorithm resulting in smoother motion axis motion in the system. Another significant contribution he delivered was in X-ray flat panel and command processor unit improvement. Rahul has designed and implemented the system integration protocol by enhancing the software for the new generation X-ray flat panel and command processor in the SPECT system. System impact analysis, Software proof of concept (POC) implementation, thorough review, end-to-end verification, taking lead to deliver the project and service integration were some of the key areas where Rahul’s contribution was remarkable. Reflecting on serving responsible software architect role Rahul says “I feel motivated, self-esteemed and resilience in taking ownership in medical device development assignments where we as a team takes action-oriented, focused, proactive approach to deliver fast and efficiently with safety and quality first mindset”

Involvement in Driving Business:
Rahul has been involved in multiple research and development projects and has supported lifecycle management, field replaceable units, and total cost ownership projects in the Pune Healthcare Innovation Centre.

Plans for the future skill improvement in the Medical Device Industry:
Rahul has been actively involved with HealthSuite, a cloud-based healthcare platform. HealthSuite is a programme that empowers developers to create innovative solutions that enhance clinical decision-making, enabling faster, more effective patient care. By leveraging HealthSuite, clinicians can collaborate closely with patients and provide tailored guidance for the most appropriate treatment options. Emphasising more on his role, Rahul said, “In my role, I have been contributing to cloud-based solution projects focused on medical system health monitoring. These projects support proactive decision-making and improve system performance, ultimately enhancing patient care and outcomes.”