Medical Devices

Medical devices are instruments, apparatus, machines, or implants used in healthcare to diagnose, prevent, monitor, treat, or alleviate medical conditions. They range from simple tools like thermometers to complex devices like MRI scanners.

Medical devices are used for various purposes in healthcare. They aid in diagnosis (such as imaging devices), treatment (such as surgical instruments), monitoring (such as blood pressure monitors), and rehabilitation (such as prosthetic limbs), among others.

Medical devices are classified into different classes based on their risk level. Class I devices have the lowest risk, while Class III devices have the highest risk. The classification depends on factors like intended use, duration of contact with the body, and invasiveness. Regulatory authorities, such as the FDA in the United States, provide guidelines for classifying medical devices.