Capital equipment became complicated and expensive with every iteration, along with pre-packaged single-use disposables that even included integrated electronics.
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More than a decade ago, medical device innovation focused mostly on advancing capability, accuracy and convenience. This article uncovers key aspects of the more recent evolution in medical device design and illustrates how the move towards more home-based and distance-care may further evolve in a post-COVID environment.
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When we add the changes to workflow due to COVID-related events to the last decade’s evolution towards overhead-reduction through distance care, it is apparent how quickly changes to the medical device environment are occurring. This has also increased the importance of a multi-advantageous workflow that encompasses less clinical overhead, higher efficiencies, faster transactions and greater convenience for all parties. Due to medical practices impacted by the pandemic, out-of-hospital consultation and remote diagnostics have taken center stage in an attempt to mitigate risk from viral transmission and lessen hospital burdens. Although idealism behind home-based or distance-care constructs have been around for some time, the growing attention they are receiving is primarily due to the focus on decreasing operating costs, as opposed to supporting patient-driven requests. A decentralized workplace is becoming more common than the centralized (work in the office) norm, including the trend towards people managing their health.
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All societies around the world have experienced substantial changes since the onset of COVID-19 with lifestyles displaced and corporate cultures newly embracing a work-from-home concept with the help of the Internet of Things (IoT) and highly evolved, online connectivity tools.