What do you mean by a medical device?
An instrument, apparatus, or machine that is used in the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of illness or disease, or for measuring, correcting, detecting, or modifying the structure or function of the body for some health purpose.
It can be any appliance, implant, software, material, or another similar article, intended by the manufacturer to be used, alone or in combination for a medical purpose.
Some types of the medical devices include:
a. Medical equipment:
Medical equipment is designed in such a way that monitors, diagnoses, and treats various conditions in the medical field.
Example:
Anesthesia machines
It is the equipment that administers anesthesia to the patient's respiratory system.
It provides oxygen to the patient.
It enables patient ventilation by accurately mixing anesthetic gasses and vapors.
There are two types: Intermittent and Continuous.
Hemodialysis Machine
Dialysis is a treatment given to a patient whose kidneys are failing.
As the patient's kidney is failed it does not perform its functions which is a need to filter the blood as it may grow waste and excess fluid inside the bloodstream. So, dialysis is the option that is used in such patients.
It is of two types: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
People who need dialysis can also lead to various conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney diseases.
b. Software aided medical devices
Software aided medical devices has also been an advancement as it treats patients by interpreting the data on the software installed which advises them to plan for action.
Treatment runs by making use of software that runs on smartphones, computers, tablets, etc.
Various data apps monitor sleep for e.g., Sleepcore, Sleep++, Sleep Watch, and many more.
c. Imaging (i.e., MRI and CT scanners)
Medical imaging refers to a developed form of mechanical, electronic device that supports diagnosing or treating a patient with various diseases by helping reveal internal structures that are hidden under the skin or bones, also to identify abnormalities.
Examples such as MRI and CT scanners
MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It is a radiology technique that makes use of strong magnetic fields, field gradients, and radio waves. The patient lies inside the tube during the scan as it generates images of the inside of the body. The images can then be examined on a computer monitor, printed, or copied to a CD.
Advantages:
There is no use of ionizing radiation in the MRI.
It gives superior soft tissue contrast.
It is a painless radiology technique.
Helps in good visualization of vascular structures.
CT stands for Computed Tomography. A noninvasive diagnostic imaging procedure in which X-rays are used for imaging, and computer technology for producing horizontal, or axial images of the body. CT scan helps to diagnose various medical conditions such as broken bones, blood clots in the brain and chest, stones in the gallbladder or kidneys, cancer in body parts or various organs, etc.
Advantages:
Its major advantage is that it can image all the parts at the same time such as bone, tissue, or blood vessels.
In children, it is most commonly used to evaluate them for lymphoma, kidney tumors, or several injuries.
d. In Vitro diagnostics
In Vitro, diagnostics are certain tests that are performed by using samples of blood, saliva, urine, or tissues.
It is sold as various reagents, control materials, alone or in the form of a kit, over the counter, or as a point of care.
It is used by the patient at home, hospital, or in laboratories.
Examples include Glucometers, Pregnancy kits, HIV or Hepatitis testing, etc.
Glucometer
Glucometer is a medical device that is used in determining the approximate concentration of glucose in the blood.
Testing glucose is a vital part of diabetic daily healthcare, the meter usually works by analyzing a small amount of blood collected from the fingertip.
The Kit consists of the glucometer, pricking needle, and test strips.
To perform this test the patient needs to wash and clean their finger with alcohol, then prick the site using a lancing device. Later place the blood drop on the test strip and check for glucose level on the glucometer which informs the reading in seconds.
Available products in the market include Accu-Chek, GlucoOne, etc.
The advantage is that it helps maximize safety during an emergency and helps keep your sugar level on track.
e. Single-use devices
Single-use medical devices are intended to be used only once on an individual patient for a single procedure and later discarded and should not be used again on another individual or the same patient.
Syringes
It is a cylinder-shaped small piece of equipment, one with a needle sucking in and transferring out medications or vaccinations, into the human body.
It is made up of plastic or glass, which is designed and packed in different appropriate sizes.
It consists of a 3 parts barrel (hollow cylinder that holds the medicine), plunger (fitted in a barrel which moves back and forth by pushing in forced air or medication out of the syringe), tip (end of the needle that holds the needle).
The needle is part of a syringe making it a single-use device as it cannot be used on 2 patients or the same patient twice as it can lead to transmission of blood-borne infections such as HIV, HCV (hepatitis C virus), and HBV (hepatitis B virus).
f. Personal Protective Equipment (i.e., gloves, masks)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is designed to be used as a precautionary step for protecting yourself and the people surrounding you.
It is specialized clothing or equipment which is worn to prevent dangerous or infectious material.
PPE includes Masks, gloves, Hair covers, Shoe covers, gowns, face shields, goggles, etc.
Masks
Masks are light in weight, and breathable, covering the mouth and nose with two headbands, nose foam, and nose clip, made of soft material to be comfortable to wear in consideration for prevention from airborne diseases, viruses/bacteria, or polluted air.
Recently, the most effective face mask identified during Covid-19 was N95 masks.
g. Surgical and laboratory instruments
Surgical instruments are those used during surgical operations.
Which includes:
Forceps
Scissors
Tracheal Retractors
Rectal Speculum
Finger retractors
Suction tube
Mouth gags
Spine surgical instrument
Laboratory instruments are used in pharmaceutical industries, food industries, hospitals, Quality control laboratories, Cosmetic industries, Research purposes, etc.
Which includes:
Microscopes
Centrifuge
Incubators
Blood cell counter
h. Implantable medical devices
Implantable medical devices are those implanted in the patient's body surgically, and which are intended to remain after the procedure.
Examples such as Breast Implants, metal-on-metal hip implants, and implantable cardiac pacemakers.
Conclusion:
Medical devices are instruments, apparatus, or machines of various types that serve a variety of functions in the medical field. These devices have enabled people to diagnose various medical conditions by undergoing specific tests that require them while visiting clinics, hospitals, and laboratories. Aside from these tools, more advancements have been made in the detection of blood pressure, oxygen levels, and sleep tracking utilizing tools that can be quickly purchased and used in an emergency or to maintain the necessary count under control.
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