Medical Devices

Medical Devices Finding Their Way Home

With the aging population and ever increasing health awareness medical devices are becoming common household items. People suffering from chronic illness are monitoring and treating themselves at home for more consistent control of conditions and improving their way of life. Electronic medical devices designed for home use are accurate, affordable, effective and readily available.

Many doctors are sending their patients home with the order of monitoring and recording their blood pressure between visits. These patients can affordably purchase an automatic digital blood pressure monitor and arm cuff more than accurate enough to supply data back to their doctor. Many of the monitors have a recording feature and the patient can simply bring their medical device with them to their follow up doctor appointment allowing the doctor to review their trends. More advanced models can interface with home computers to download or export the data to a file for printing or emailing to their doctor. Most blood pressure monitors are battery powered but many can use A/C power adapters to use 110v/220v wall plugs. There are multiple sized blood pressure cuffs available for many of the reputable brand devices and specialized pediatric and thigh cuffs. These popular home medical devices can be shipped to the patient’s door for under $40 with more advanced units ranging to $100.

Chronic heart failure and COPD patients are finding value in tracking their condition between doctor visits using a pulse oximeter. These medical devices are small, battery operated monitors that measure oxygen level in the blood. By measuring the amount of infra-red and red light absorbed by hemoglobin the device can compute oxygen level in the blood (SpO2%). Typically, the sensor is placed on the user’s fingertip and within 10 to 20 seconds will provide oxygen level and heart rate. As with the blood pressure monitors, more advanced models will record data samples over time for later review. This is popular with sleep study patients and monitoring for sleep apnea. Thanks to the modern electronics business, basic but accurate pulse oximeters can be acquired for under $30.

Monitoring a user’s condition is one thing. Treating at home makes an immediate impact on the patient. Nebulizers are medical devices that turn liquid medication into a fine mist to be inhaled. The vaporized medication is intended for the airway and lungs to deliver anti-inflammatory medications. For many, a nebulizer can be a more soothing replacement for an inhaler. They are electronic medical devices typically A/C powered but there are battery operated travel versions available making the treatments more convenient. There is also a wide selection of pediatric devices available that add some fun to the treatments. These devices can be purchased for under $30 and offer great value for home treatment.

Many medical devices have been designed with the average consumer in mind. Most devices are one button activation and have large, clear displays. The packaging will contain instructions for use but purchasing from a medical supplier with customer support offers the best way to insure you’ve got the best device for you and the know how to use it correctly. Home medical devices empower the patients to better follow doctor’s orders to realize the most of their treatment.