In many African healthcare facilities, medical equipment such as ultrasound machines, ventilators, and MRI machines often remains non-functional or underutilized. This is largely due to delayed maintenance, lack of technical support, limited knowledge on how to operate these devices, and minimal access to manufacturer support, especially when equipment is donated or purchased through third-party vendors. As a result, even well-functioning devices may sit unused, and those that break down often stay offline for weeks or months.
INGENZI Tech is an AI-powered support platform built to solve this multifaceted problem. It combines a fine-tuned large language model (LLM) with a global technician discussion forum to provide real-time, step-by-step guidance on device operation, diagnostics, and repair. Technicians and healthcare workers can input error codes, symptoms, or general queries and receive context-aware responses powered by manufacturer manuals, error logs, and peer-contributed solutions.

Our proof of concept was built using GPT-based models and focused on a widely used diagnostic device in many African clinics, the Philips HDI 5000 ultrasound machine. We developed a prototype assistant that could interpret device error codes and guide technicians through troubleshooting steps based on real maintenance manuals. During testing, the system achieved 100% accuracy in error code interpretation and over 80% accuracy in providing relevant troubleshooting suggestions, based on technician feedback. These promising results validated both the technical feasibility and real-world relevance of our approach. We are now preparing to transition to a more sustainable, open-source solution by fine-tuning Meta’s Llama 3.1 model. This shift allows us to reduce long-term dependence on third-party APIs, improve performance in low-connectivity settings, and customize the model to better support African device ecosystems, technician workflows, and multilingual environments.

By reducing equipment downtime, supporting day-to-day device use, and bridging the gap left by limited manufacturer support, INGENZI Tech strengthens healthcare systems and helps ensure life-saving medical tools are fully used and maintained across Africa.
