Medical products are devices, equipment, instruments, and software that are used for diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases and medical conditions. They might include home testing or sample collection kits, assistive canes and walkers, medical apps, or wearable items like adult diapers or compression stockings. Regulations help protect the effectiveness and safety of medical products.
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FAQ
What are common types of medical products?
Commonly used medical products include home glucose monitors for diabetes, nerve stimulation devices for migraine, adaptive disability devices, reading glasses to support vision loss, walkers, apps to support people with a specific health condition, and wearables to track certain health problems.
How are medical products regulated?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ensures the safety and effectiveness of any medical product you use. Federal regulations require medical devices to meet certain requirements before retailers can legally sell them in the United States.
What is the importance of proper use?
Proper use of medical products helps you get the most support for your condition, accurate testing results, or the correct protection against disease or injury. It also minimizes the risk of unwanted effects or errors.
How do medical devices aid treatment?
Medical devices assist in various therapeutic interventions by detecting problems, measuring levels, or otherwise adjusting or restoring the body’s structure and function to achieve a health goal. This usually does not involve the immune system or the use of chemicals.
What should I know about using a medical product?
The key to using any medical product is to closely follow the instructions and seek advice from a healthcare professional before use.
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Justin Laube, MD, is a board-certified integrative and internal medicine physician, a teacher, and a consultant with extensive expertise in integrative health, medical education, a...
Stephanie Young Moss, PharmD, has worked in pharmacy, community outreach, regulatory compliance, managed care, and health economics and outcomes research. Dr. Young Moss is the own...
Asal Naderi, MD, is an assistant clinical professor of allergy and immunology at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. Her areas of focus include al...
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