5 Medical devices for every household
Medical devices or equipment are those devices that are intended for medical purposes and to ensure the proper health of people. Some medical devices have become very important for every household. Today, we will talk about those essential medical devices that should be kept in every household.
1. Thermometer
It is one of the most important medical devices that every household should have. Thermometers are used to check the temperature of a person and decide whether they have a fever or not. Common cold and fever are two of the most common diseases people suffer from and fever is a symptom of both. Thermometers give you precise information about your temperature and are never wrong if used properly.
Precision thermometers were first developed by Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit who invented the alcohol thermometer in 1709 and the mercury-in-glass thermometer in 1714. Mercury thermometers were one of the most reliable and accurate temperature measuring devices for almost three centuries till digital thermometers were invented.
External Link: Read about Thermometer on Wikipedia
Types of thermometers
- Manual thermometers- Manual thermometers are put inside the mouth of adults and under the armpits of children for about a minute or two to get almost accurate results about body temperature.
- Digital thermometers- Digital thermometers use heat sensors to determine the temperature of a person. Unlike manual thermometers, digital thermometers can give almost accurate results in just mere seconds. They are also put inside the mouth or armpits.
- Infrared digital thermometers- Infrared thermometers got quite popular during the covid epidemic due to their fast readings and contactless measurement of temperature. They use an infrared sensor to assess the temperature from a certain distance without touching the skin of the person. Infrared thermometers give temperature readings within seconds and are used by scanning the forehead or the fist.
- Digital ear thermometer- There are specific thermometers available that can measure the temperature of a person by inserting it into the ear canal. Digital ear thermometers are very useful for taking the temperature of children who may be reluctant in taking oral temperature. They provide almost accurate results in just a few seconds.
There are other kinds of thermometers as well which are used for measuring temperatures of meat, environment, water, etc.
2. Blood pressure monitor
A blood pressure monitor is a very useful device to have at your home. It is used to measure the blood pressure of a person. It can tell details about the blood pressure any time you want. A blood pressure monitor is also known as a sphygmomanometer. Blood pressure monitors are affordable medical devices, costing around rupees two thousand, that should be owned by every household. Even doctors recommend that you should check your blood pressure every day to manage it properly and seek consultation when it is at an alarming level.
Types of blood pressure monitors
- Digital blood pressure monitor- digital blood pressure monitors contain a digital screen and can control the inflatable cuff automatically by pressing a button. It shows the systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate on the digital screen.
- Analog or aneroid blood pressure monitor- Aneroid blood pressure monitors contain only an analog screen and control the inflatable cuff manually through a squeezable bulb. It shows the blood pressure details on the analog dials.
The blood pressure monitor consists of–
- Inflatable cuff- It goes around your arm, near the elbow, where the artery is prominent. This gives an accurate reading. When you press the start button in the machine, the inflatable cuff contracts and holds your arm tightly for a few seconds. After this, it releases the air and goes back to its original tightness.
- Measuring unit- a mercury manometer or an aneroid gauge is used for measuring blood pressure. After the inflatable cuff contracts, the measuring unit takes the reading of blood pressure from the artery in the arm and shows it on an analog or digital screen that is connected to the cuff.
- Automatic inflator or aneroid bulb- Digital blood pressure monitors consist of an automatic inflator that releases air into the cuff with just the push of a button. While aneroid blood pressure monitors use a soft bulb that is squeezed to release air into the cuff.
- Monitor- The monitor displays the information about your blood pressure and your heart rate. It shows systolic blood pressure, which is the higher number and shows the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, and diastolic blood pressure, which is the lower number and shows the pressure on arteries in between heartbeats.
3. Blood glucose monitor
A blood glucose monitor or glucometer is a medical device that is used to check the blood sugar levels of a person. It is quite useful in diabetes management and should be kept at every home so that diabetes can be prevented or managed properly.
Blood glucose monitors work by taking a very small sample of blood by using a lancing device and then putting the sample on a small strip. This strip is then inserted into the monitor which then gives you information about your blood glucose levels.
A glucometer is quite affordable, costing only about rupees one thousand. However, some users have reported lower levels of accuracy than professional lab blood tests.
The blood glucose monitor consists of
- Lancing device- The lancing device of a glucometer is shaped like a pen and contains a needle inside. The needle is used to puncture the skin and produce a small blood drop. Lancing devices are created in such a way that they do not hurt the user much and only puncture the skin lightly to get a small sample of blood.
- Sample strip- A sample strip is used to put the sample of blood. Once you puncture the skin with a lancing device and produce blood, that drop of blood is put into a sample strip. A sample strip should only be used once and thrown away after use. Most glucometers come with multiple sample strips free of cost. After their use, you will have to buy additional sample strips from the market.
- Lancet- It is a small container that consists of a needle that is inserted inside the lancing device. Since multiple uses of a single needle can cause infections, people use lancets that are replaceable. You should use a different lancet every time you check your blood glucose levels to get the most accurate information.
- Glucometer- It is a digital device that gives information about your blood glucose levels. It has a screen and a small place for putting in the blood sample for reading. The glucometer reads the blood sample and provides information about your blood glucose levels.
4. Oximeter
It is a medical device that measures the oxygen saturation in the blood of a person. Earlier, It was mostly used by medical professionals but during the covid pandemic, many people started using oximeters to keep their blood oxygen levels in check. You should check your blood oxygen levels daily to avoid major medical risks and should seek medical help as soon as your blood oxygen levels drop.
Oximeters are non-invasive medical devices that can check the oxygen saturation of blood without the use of a blood sample.
Oximeters are quite affordable, costing just around rupees one to two thousand, and is a useful medical device to have, especially during a pandemic like covid.
How oximeters work
Most oximeters that are available in the market check blood oxygen levels by analysing the fingertip. It analyses the oxygen saturation by passing infrared light through the fingertip, which then appears to be red from the light.
Oximeters have a digital screen that shows you %SpO2, which is the oxygen saturation percentage in the blood, and PRbpm, which is the resting heart rate or heartbeats per minute. Oximeters work by using replaceable battery cells which are easily available.
Most oximeters can give blood oxygen results in just 5 to 10 seconds.
5. Weighing machine
A weighing machine or weighing scale is a medical device that is used to measure the weight of people. It is the most common medical device in households and would be the highest-selling device on this list.
Weighing scales have been in use since ancient times when the weight of something was measured against another. It has developed quite a lot in the last few decades and new technologies such as composition monitors have come into existence.
Almost all medical professionals have a weighing machine in their clinic and measure the height and weight of their patients before assessing their medical problems.
The cost of weighing machines can range from rupees five hundred for basic analog weighing machines to rupees fifteen thousand for special weighing machines that can also give information about the whole body.
Weighing machines can be very useful devices for people since they can check their weight any time they want and set goals to maintain a healthy weight. Maintaining a proper weight is essential in keeping our bodies healthy and it can be done more effectively if you measure your weight often.
Types of weighing machines
- Analog weighing machine- Analog or mechanical weighing machines are primitive but reliable weighing machines that can last for ages. An Analog weighing machine uses a spring mechanism that shows you the weight by reflecting the force applied to it. Analog weighing machines do not always show accurate results.
- Digital weighing machine- Digital weighing machines are a more modern form of weighing machines. Digital weighing machines have a small digital screen that shows the weight of the user. Digital weighing machines convert the force applied into an electrical signal and give the results on the digital screen.
