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A medical device is a product which is used for medical purposes in patients, in diagnosis, therapy or surgery. Whereas medicinal products (also called pharmaceuticals) achieve their principal action by pharmacological, metabolic or immunological means. Medical devices act by other means like physical, mechanical, physico-chemical or chemical means. Medical devices are included in the category: Medical technology. Medical devices include a wide range of products varying in complexity and application. Examples include tongue depressors, medical thermometers, blood sugar meters, total artificial hearts, fibrin scaffolds, stents and X-ray machines. The global market of medical devices reached roughly 209 billion US Dollar in 2006 and is expected to grow with an average annual rate of 6 - 9% through 2010. High-risk devices are life supports, critical monitoring, energy emitting and other devices whose failure or misuse is reasonably likely to seriously injure patient or staff. Examples include:
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia : Manufacture of medical instruments and devices (no dental) |
