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Copyrighted 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013.
Scansound, Inc. All Rights Reserved
It would be best to receive your order online. All online credit card payments are processed in total compliance with the most stringent of all VISA regulations. We encourage customers to place their orders online, however we will be happy to take your order by phone if that is what you prefer. Our staff is typically available between 8:30 AM and 5:30 PM Eastern Time and may be reached at 1-866-722-6763 toll-free or directly at (954) 425-0199.
Orders placed via mail would require the exact amount in a check or money order. Customers who mail in an order should allow additional time for their order to be processed and shipped.
Customer security and privacy is one of our highest priorities. Therefore, all data entered through our web site occurs using secure encrypted server technology as evidenced by the https:// URL prefix and padlock symbol on your browser on all pages which accept customer and payment information. All orders placed online via credit card are actually being ordered through a secure system (external to the Scan Sound web servers) so your credit card information can never be compromised by anyone accessing the Scan Sound servers. We have adopted the most secure Visa security requirements to assure your total protection and privacy.
Yes, you may securely order Scan Sound products online and pay via credit card and/or PayPal. All information provided is encrypted for your protection, and Scan Sound has a stringent privacy policy, which states that we will only use your contact information in order to fill your order and ensure proper delivery to you. You may call us at (954) 425-0199 if there are any questions regarding your payment. Purchase Orders and Requisitions may be faxed to Scan Sound, Inc. at (954) 827-2408.
Most government purchasing cards are very similar to Credit Cards and may be accepted online through our web site. All online credit card and purchasing card purchases will be processed securely through our 3rd-party processor, CRE Secure. We will not actually know your card number and for your protection, the data will never be stored on our server. If you need us to re-bill the card, we can find the prior transaction and re-bill the same card, provided it is still active, without ever knowing the actual card information.
Scan Sound only charges sales tax on orders shipped to Florida addresses. If you are in Florida and have a Sales Tax number, please check the tax exempt box when placing your order and provide your Tax Exempt Number to avoid being charged sales tax.
Yes, Scan Sound, Inc. accepts Purchase Orders from schools, universities, medical facilities and government agencies on a regular basis. A Customer Billing Application may be found on our Corporate Orders page, and following approval of the completed form, we will be able to process most purchase orders.
Your purchase order should contain the shipping and billing contact information, including email addresses for the persons responsible for ordering and payment. This will enable us to email your order confirmation, shipment tracking information and associated invoice. If you do not have a formal Purchase Order, you can supply your order on company letterhead. Telephone verification of your order will take place prior to any shipment. Scan Sound. Scan Sound reserves the right to refuse any purchase orders. Click on the tab above labeled Corporate Orders for more information on Purchase Orders.
Yes; conveniently, the form is located at the bottom of our Corporate Orders web page. This PDF version of the W-9 form can be easily downloaded right to your computer after clicking on the associated link.
You can easily determine the shipping charges right from the Scan Sound web site, completely on your own. Just select the item(s) you want to buy, putting them into the shopping cart and proceed to the cart check-out. Look for the section which says ESTIMATE SHIPPING AND TAX. After filling in the appropriate Country, State and Zip Code, click on the GET A QUOTE button and this will provide you with a quick estimate of the shipping charges to your general area without ever having to enter any personal information.
Please note that the total shipping amount includes a $3.00 handling fee, which covers costs by a Third-Party Fulfillment Company that processes all the online orders as a service to Scan Sound customers. The fulfillment company will pull the item(s) from the correct bin, package the item(s) for safe shipment, apply appropriate labeling, provide usable tracking information and facilitate the package pick-up. The shopping cart automatically calculates the shipping amount based on shipping weight and destination, and this includes the $3.00 fulfillment company processing fee. If you feel the cost of the shipping and handling appears to be incorrect, please contact Scan Sound by filling out a Customer Service Request Form so that we can evaluate the actual cost, make a payment adjustment and also modify the shipping calculator for the future.
Scan Sound, Inc. ships daily to destinations all over the world. Shipments to Australia via First-Class International mail are delivered surprisingly within a very short period of time, and for unknown reasons similar deliveries to Canada and Europe take longer than average. The costs and time taken to deliver to International locations is dependent mainly on the selected shipping company, any customs clearance issues and the delivery of their representatives in each country.
Packages sent via the US Postal Service (USPS) to International locations via First-Class Mail and Priority Mail do not have active tracking capabilities, so if you are looking to be able to track a package to an International address, we suggest using Federal Express shipping.
Orders are generally shipped one business day after the order is placed. The following guide shows the number of business days for delivery:
- First-Class Mail - 3 to 4 business days in the USA - TNS*
- Priority Mail - 2 to 3 days in the USA - TNS*
- Express Mail - 1 business day in the USA - TWS*
- First-Class International Mail - Typically takes 7 to 14 days, delivered by the Post Office (actual delivery time depends on Country) - NTC *
- Priority Mail International - Typically takes 4 to 12 days, delivered by the Post Office (actual delivery time depends on Country) - NTC*
- FedEx Ground - Typically takes 1 Day in Florida, 2 Days to Georgia, 3 Days to Eastern US, 4 to 7 Days in Western States - TW S*
- FedEx Standard - Delivered one day after shipment in the afternoon - TWS*
- FedEx Priority Overnight - Delivered one day after shipment in the morning - TWS*
- FedEx Express Saver - Delivered 3 Days after shipment - TWS*
- FedEx 2-day - Delivered 2 days after shipment - TWS*
- FedEx First Overnight - Delivered one day after shipment at 8:00 AM - TWS*
*TNS means “Tracking No Signature”; TWS means “Tracking With Signature”; NTC means “No Tracking Capability”.
Customers will receive an email with tracking information (when it is applicable) after the order has been shipped.
Shipments via the US Postal Service in the United States may be tracked online, however no signature may be verified. Shipments via the US Postal Service to International locations include a customs reference number, and most of the time this will not allow active tracking of the package but will reflect the eventual indication of the date the parcel was received.
Shipments via Express Mail and Federal Express may be easily tracked at any time, and these include signature verification of the recipient.
An easy way to track any package would be to enter the tracking number into the search box at http://www.google.com, click the search button and then click on the tracking link. Google provides tracking links for most all types of shipments by most common shipping carriers. Google automatically determines the shipping company based on the number entered. Alternatively, you can go to these web addresses and enter your tracking number:
- US Postal Service: http://www.usps.com
- Federal Express: http://www.fedex.com
Most orders are placed directly through Scan Sound, Inc. and shipped from Pompano Beach, Florida. We do not have active distributors with stores that carry our products at the present time.
We fill most orders one day after they are received. If you need something expedited or sent out the same day, please contact us via telephone to alert us to your needs. You may Phone us at 1-866-722-6763 or (954) 425-0199. Most items shown on the web site are maintained in stock at all times at levels that are sufficient to fill orders of all sizes.
When a shipment takes place, an automated shipment notification goes out to the customer to let them know that the item has been shipped, and an expected delivery date is conveyed via email at that time. Your email address is only used for communication between you and Scan Sound. We never share any email addresses with marketing firms or outside companies; we hate spam just as much as you do!
MRI Stereo System Kits may take 5 to 10 business days to prepare for shipment, as the cables are custom cut to your specifications and all items are prepared with labels to ensure that the installation goes well. Each MRI Stereo Kit is assembled and bench-tested to ensure that the system will be in excellent condition when it is first installed and turned on. Our quality control personnel are generally able to catch any problem prior to shipment, so we hope you will be patient as your system is properly tested and inspected prior to shipment.
We utilize a fulfillment company to manage all our products and shipping. They stock thousands of items in a very large warehouse for numerous different companies, including Scan Sound, Inc. When an order is placed, we supply them with the order details and they ship the package to the correct destination address, as provided when the order is placed. The fulfillment company charges a $3.00 flat fee for each shipment. The rest of the amount charged is exactly what it costs to have either the Post Office or FedEx complete the shipment. We do not intend to make any profit from shipping out the items ordered. Ideally, we only ask that you pay what it costs to actually deliver the items through the Post Office and Federal Express.
In most cases, if you provide us with your account number, can typically bill the shipping cost directly to your account. However you will still be responsible for paying Scan Sound, Inc. the $3.00 handling fee that is adding the shipping cost of each order. The handling fee covers the cost of packaging materials as well as the proper delivery of the package to the appropriate shipment carrier, and we only ask that you cover the fees that we are assessed for sending out your shipment.
All the products shown on our web site are actually stored at a fulfillment company warehouse in Pompano Beach, Florida. We do not have a physical store where the items can be picked up. If you need to make arrangements to pick up an item, you will only be charged the $3.00 fulfillment charge that Scan Sound pays to the company that processes the orders. All orders picked should be phoned in. Locally picked-up orders are subject to Florida Sales Tax, unless we receive proof of tax exemption at the time the order is taken.
All items sold online are stocked at our fulfillment company warehouse. Our web site will limit the sale of items if the quantity required is not in stock. Customers placing an order online can be assured that we stock what we sell.
You can easily obtain a quotation from Scan Sound, Inc.. Just place the item(s) into the shopping cart as though you would like to make a purchase. Look for the QUOTE INQUIRY and then click on the quote request button and we will send out the quote to you as requested.
You can also pretend to put through your order, and before submitting any payment information, the total amount will be shown so you can easily print that out as an example of the actual charges for the order when you are ready to complete it on your own.
Providing that the item is re-sellable and is in its original packaging, we can generally accept the item back and only charge to ship out the replacement item. Be sure to send the item back to the following address:
Scan Sound, Inc.
1121 S. Military Trail, Unit 118
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
Your Order Number will be used as an Return Material Authorization Number (RMA#). Place the RMA# on the outside of the package so that we can identify the reason why you are sending back your package and enable us to forward the replacement promptly. It would be best to include a brief note as to what we can do to assist you.
If the item fails during the warranty period, you should contact a Scan Sound representative and we will ask that you mail the defective item back to our office address:
Scan Sound, Inc.
1121 S. Military Trail, Unit 118
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
You will be asked to place your Order Number as an Return Material Authorization Number (RMA#) on the package so that we can identify the reason why you are sending back your package and enable us to forward the replacement promptly. It would be best to include a brief note as to what we can do to assist you. If we receive a package with no note inside, we may not know that you are expecting a warranty replacement, so help us to understand what action needs to be taken to ensure your total satisfaction. For more information on returning items, please consult to the Return Policy page.
Some items may be repaired or replaced outside the warranty. Please let us know how we can best assist you and follow the return instructions above. We will let you know if there will be any charges to repair/ship back the repaired item or replacement item.
Due to the many thousands of different headphones, we can not know all the sizes for each, especially since the manufacturers frequently make new headphones and model numbers every few months. The best way to determine if our Earpads will fit your present headphone is to take the existing foam cover off your headphone and measure the outer diameter of the earpiece. Please keep in mind that our circular earpads can easily fit oval headphones as well just by stretching the foam material. For oval shaped headphones, you need to measure the outer edge side-to-side as well as up-and-down to best match the oval shaped diagrams for our earpads.
Download and print our Earpad Specification Sheet and compare the size of your Earpads against those shown on the Spec Sheet using a ruler and the shown measurements.
Generally the small size will fit any headphones that rest against the ear. If the headphone cups around the ear, you will need the Large size headphone covers. The small size fits headphones up to 3-inches in diameter and the large covers are made for headphone earpieces that are 3 to 5 inches in diameter.
Scan Sound, Inc. has been shipping MRI Patient Stereo System Kits since 1986. Our own Engineer, Barry Leeper, invented and built the very first stereo system designed for MRI patients, as he was trying to find a way to help patients overcome the claustrophobic effects of the MRI exam and improve patient throughput. Over the years, numerous quality improvements have been made. The company continues to support the original stereo systems, through upgrades, replacement parts, fresh headphones and eartips.
Scan Sound has maintained a wonderful relationship with all its customers over the years. We are based in the United States, and we stand behind our products 100%. For more information on the history of Scan Sound, Inc, click here.
The patient stereo system kits offered by Scan Sound, Inc. have been optimally designed to comfort patients during Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans. Patients can listen to clear, tranquil, stereo music and are thereby able to tune out the loud noises and potentially claustrophobia-inducing space of the MRI scanner. Our objective is to help MRI facilities comfort their patients while increasing patient throughput. Adding an MRI patient stereo typically improves any MRI facility's marketability by enabling it to increase its referral base, which pays for the system many times over.
The patient wears a plastic headphone, which is lightweight and comfortable. It provides stereo music, which is sent into the shielded room electronically. The electrical impulses are converted to audio with exceptionally full-bodied high-quality STEREO sound using a professionally engineered Patient Acoustic Interface. The two channels of audio, which make up the stereo sound, help patients to overcome the sensation of Claustrophobia.
Unlike some other MRI music systems, Scan Sound audio is true stereo sound, translating to a more 'spatial' feeling in the patient headphones, and this helps to impart an open spacious feeling in the patient's comfortable pneumatic headphones. Some patients have a difficult time tolerating the loud MRI noise and the closed-in feeling within the magnet. Those who listen to the stereo music usually have a more positive experience; thereby reducing aborted scans and increasing patient referrals.
Very high quality sound reproduction is possible due to a new type of Scan Sound, Inc. transducer that converts perfectly matched stereo audio to the headphones adjacent to the magnet without any effect on the scan. The stereo headphones, which have sanitary/disposable foam eartips, are invisible to the scan and can be worn in head and body studies.
Speakers outside of the scan room provide the technologists with rich audio, and the level of sound heard by the technologist is completely independent from the sound levels being heard by the patient.
The system enables the operator to easily control the stereo sound levels to the patient. This unit is equipped with a microphone and audio level controls for convenient operation and total communication to the patient's headphones.
Although Scan Sound stereos kits are sophisticated in design, they are extremely easy to install and operate. Each modular component has been carefully chosen to provide reliable, high quality stereo music. You will take pride in this exceptional addition to your facility!
Most MRI systems have a set-up panel, which allows the stereo signals to be passed electrically into the scan-room through spare BNC connectors. The audio is a low-level signal, which should not introduce interference to the scans when connected this way. This method allows the optimum transfer of high quality sound to the patient's plastic headphones. Extra BNC connectors and RFI filters are available from Scan Sound, if required.
If your system is not equipped to enable the sound to be electrically coupled via direct wiring or the above described connector panel, the audio may be driven through plastic tubes that can be placed in waveguides going directly to the patient. It is recommended that you fill out a custom cabling Evaluation Form to assist with appropriate installation planning.
All systems are sold in kit form and come with well-written, fully illustrated instructions that help to simplify the installation. Scan Sound, Inc. encourages you to install the system yourself, and will provide necessary telephone technical support if required.
Patients often need comforting and reassurance in order to be placed in the bore of an MRI scanner for a lengthy period of time. Those patients who don the stereo headphones tend to lay down in the scanner with less trepidation and hold still for longer periods of time during the scan. Our sound system purchasers consider the image quality improvements from a motionless patient, time saved that is spent trying to convince the hesitant patient, and the reduction in aborted scans to be well worth the expense because it means capturing lost scan time and patient revenue.
Most MRI Scanners produce annoyingly loud knocking sounds. Although this noise cannot be drowned out completely, the music can be adjusted to a comfortable listening level thereby reducing the annoyance.
Many borderline claustrophobic patients are more likely to go through with the scan when listening to stereo music, because the stereo sound creates a feeling of spaciousness and truly helps to overcome their feelings of being closed-in. Patients are more likely to tolerate the scans without movement, resulting in better image quality. Less time will be spent trying to coax patients into going through with their scan. This all translates to a savings of time, and helps to easily pay for the stereo system within a very short period of time. In general, all patients will walk away from the scan with a pleasant attitude, which will surely get back to your referring physicians.
Make your patients feel comfortable while you insure that they go through with the scan... that's the bottom line!
We have Kits that have been designed for International Installations, called our MRI Patient Stereo Builder's Kit. These kits can easily be adapted to work with just about any Low-Level music source. If you have "Tape Out" or "Line Out" jacks on the back of your music source, you will find the Stereo Builder's Kit will work for you. The Stereo Builder’s Kit manual contains references to use with most audio sources, including a computer. If you want to use your own music source from a computer or satellite radio, for instance, the Model SBK would be well suited to meet your needs. The SBK will also operate on either 110-volt 60Hz or 220-Volt 50Hz power, so it is ideal for International use.
The headphones selected by Scan Sound have been found to be the most comfortable type of plastic headphone commercially available. The plastic pneumatic stethoscope-style headphones can be easily worn in all coils and the sanitary disposable foam eartips comfortably fit right into the ear. They are comfortable to wear and the foam eartips can be easily changed between patients.
Alternatively, Scan Sound offers a Noise Reduction Headphone that cups the outer portion of the ear to help reduce the high levels of noise that are generated by the MRI scanner during the scanning sequences. The Noise Reduction Headphones have foam inside to help reduce the noise levels further, and eartips inside the headphone direct the audio directly to the patient's ears. Stretchable sanitary covers (available from Scan Sound) can be placed over these headphones to minimize the transfer of contagions from patient to patient.
A foam Pad-Headset is available as well, to position the sound emitting tubes adjacent to the patient ear. This allows the audio to be heard in tight restricted coils, and additional sponges or pads can be used to supplement the padding around the Pad-Headset to hold it in place.
Most patients will enjoy listening to an FM stereo station, which is easily selected for their preferences. Unlike other MRI audio systems, Scan Sound systems provide patients with true stereo sound, giving the patient a more immersive, 'spatial' feeling; true stereo sound plays a key role in helping MRI patients to overcome their claustrophobia. The varieties of choices between music selections are virtually unlimited with the AM/FM/CD Player features. Some patients will feel more comfortable listening to CDs or MP3 players that they have brought with them. An option is provided with our stereo systems that will enable an MP3 player, such as an iPod®, to be connected and played through the Scan Sound MRI Stereo System.
You will choose who you prefer to install your patient stereo. Each system is sold in kit form and comes with an illustrated, clearly written installation guide. Typically, the pictorial diagrams will be all you need to easily complete the stereo hook-up. Each manual is custom written for your facility, enabling most individuals with a technical understanding of MRI system operation and safety to easily complete the patient stereo sound system installation. There are a total of seven cables, and each cable is clearly labeled to show which ones run to the various system components, RF penetration panel and Patient Acoustic Interface.
If you would prefer to pay for an outside company to professionally install the system, we recommend that you contact a local home theater technician, or ask your MRI service engineer for his or her recommendations. Many of the MRI facilities have someone who handles technical issues who could likely install the system. Scan Sound will be happy to help locate a dealer or installer for your area. Most installers will provide you with a quote for the installation based on the cost of travel to your facility and the time involved to complete the work.
An initial assessment of your facility and sound system positioning will have to be done first by filling out a Scan Sound "Installation Evaluation Form". This can be done by your MRI Site Engineer and/or by an individual familiar with MRI Systems and Stereo Hook-ups. Most system installations are completed within a 4-hour time period, depending upon the cabling requirements for each facility. A fully illustrated installation manual is provided along with pre-cut cables so that the job can be simplified.
A push-to-talk microphone is generally placed on or adjacent to the operator's console, and the Mini Hi-Fi stereo unit is set up nearby. The technologists will adjust the level of audio for the patient's preferences and talk to them over the microphone. Pushing down on a momentary talk button or lifting the microphone up off the table may activate the microphone. The Stereo System is a bookshelf-size sound system with standard size modular components which can be easily positioned on a counter-top, shelf or in a stereo cabinet.
Your technologists will find the system to be both "User-Friendly" and "Patient-Friendly". The stereo will be their control center for setting the music level for comfortable patient listening and communications.
When the technologist speaks into the provided microphone, the technologist's voice is heard through the plastic headphones worn by the patient inside the MRI scanner. The technologist should hear the patient's reply via the MRI system's existing intercom system.
The headphones selected by Scan Sound have been found to be the most comfortable type of plastic headphone commercially available. Because they have sanitary disposable foam eartips that fit right into the ear, they are comfortable to wear and can be easily changed for optimal hygiene. The replacement eartips can be procured from Scan Sound. We also offer a Noise-Reduction MRI Headphone, which helps reduce the noise produced by the MRI Scanner and improves the overall music clarity.
The level of sound heard by the operators is totally independent of the sound heard by the patient. The MRI Technologist can turn the sound all the way off, or turn it up to whatever level they choose, and yet the patient just hears the pre-set comfortable audio level in their own headphones. Scan Sound's headphones will not interfere with MRI imaging, and the stethoscope style headphone easily fits within all coils. The Noise-Reduction Headphone may be too large for some head coils, but this depends upon the size of the patient's head and the various coils in use.
The Patient Audio Interface (or "PAI") has been professionally engineered to provide high quality audio even though it is located in close proximity to the high magnetic field. Most MRI magnets are shielded, to minimize any interaction to the PAI. It will be necessary to bring the electrical sound into the scan room from the outside. Each MRI system manufacturer has taken into account the necessity of bringing in signals from outside of the room using an electronic access panel called an RF Penetration Panel. Although the types of connectors may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, most use BNC connectors, and if needed, a pair of BNC Connectors can be purchased when ordering the stereo system kit. If wiring into the scan room does not seem possible, long plastic tubing is another option of sending an audio signal into the scan room by way of the waveguide. A questionnaire will be filled out at the time you place your order to facilitate a successful installation.
Each element of the patient stereo system has been very carefully chosen so that you will receive a quality-engineered sound system that should provide years of trouble-free service and flawless sound reproduction. The AM/FM/CD-Players made by Bose® and Polk Audio are backed by their own one-year manufacturer's warranty. In most cases local service is available from the equipment manufacturer.
Scan Sound, Inc. offers a limited one-year warranty on the patient acoustic interface for 1-year, provided that proper care is taken to secure the box and ensure that the transducers are not overdriven. Scan Sound, Inc. will be happy to assist you with finding a local service facility in your area for any items that require service. Most replacement parts manufactured by Scan Sound, Inc. can be procured by contacting us.
Scan Sound continues to Provide Support and Parts for many different types of Patient Stereo Sound Systems as a service to MRI Facilities around the world. Scan Sound has sold many of its systems through major manufacturers of MRI Systems as optional equipment, and continues to provide parts, technical support, manuals and supplies to the OEM Manufacturers who have purchased our systems.