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Medical diagnostic equipment is a large and expansive collection of medical devices that—as their name implies—play a pivotal role in measuring and diagnosing medical conditions. In particular, these devices are capable of measuring and/or tracking information such as heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and breathing, among many others. These tools are often used for precursory patient information, and are therefore commonly used in doctor’s check-ups to observe a patient’s condition.
Equipment that can be considered medical diagnostic equipment includes anything from stethoscopes and ophthalmoscopes to tongue depressors and blood pressure cuffs. Any tool that might be used by a medical professional to measure certain body functions or conditions can be considered medical diagnostic equipment.
Because of the incredibly diverse range of products that fall into the category of medical diagnostic equipment, these tools can be used in an equally diverse range of settings. These products can be useful in doctor’s offices, emergency rooms and hospitals, physical therapy and rehabilitation clinics, athletic trainers’ offices, and school nurses’ offices. Additionally, these tools can be used by customers at home to keep track of important medical information that may need to be regularly monitored for certain health concerns.
The selection of medical diagnostic equipment is as large as it is diverse, and because of this, many customers may feel uncertain as to which diagnostic products may be necessary for their needs. Depending on the setting, patient type, and condition to be monitored, there are many different tools that may be necessary for diagnosis. To help make the shopping process more simple, this section outline some of the most common medical diagnostic equipment, as well as some important considerations to make when looking for the right products.
Perhaps the most familiar of all medical diagnostic equipment, stethoscopes allow their user to listen to the internal functions of the body—primarily the heart and lungs. This information can be crucial in diagnosing conditions related to either or both of these regions, including pneumonia, arrythmia, and many others.
While its exact name might not be immediately familiar to some, otoscopes are a very commonly used tool in most doctors’ offices. Otoscopes are the tools that are used to look into a patient’s ears during a checkup. These devices are able to provide general information about the ear, but can also provide insight about possible infections or other illnesses.
Another familiar tool that is often used in checkups, ophthalmoscopes allow the healthcare professional to examine the interior of the eye. In doing this, they assist in the diagnosis of a variety of different eye conditions.
These handy devices do exactly what their name suggests: calculate body fat percentages. They do this through bioelectrical impedance analysis, a pain-free method of measuring an electrical current that passes through the tissues of the body and calculates the resistance experienced during that time. This information is then compared against an expected value based on the patient’s age, height, and weight. This can provide important health information for the patient, as well as indicate some potential health concerns.
While these medical diagnostic products are only a small selection of a vast category, they are some of the most commonly-used tools in general diagnosis. However, to make the process of purchasing easier, some medical diagnostic equipment is sold in kits that are equipped with multiple useful items. Depending on the kit, any combination of ophthalmoscopes, otoscopes, transilluminators, and other tools may be included. These kits can be particularly useful for new doctors or medical school students who need an affordable set of reliable diagnostic equipment.
When purchasing any piece of medical diagnostic equipment, there are also a number of other considerations to make to determine if you’re getting the right product for your needs. Here are a few important things to consider.
Diagnostic products, while having the same general function, may be constructed in a number of different ways. Some products may use plastic regions while others may be strictly metal. Because of this, it is worth considering the expected wear and tear for your equipment and which construction will be best to meet those demands.
Of particular concern in busy clinical settings is the issue of hygiene with medical devices. Diagnostic tools that will be used with multiple different patients throughout the day must have consideration for hygiene. Because of this, some equipment comes with options for regular cleaning and maintenance to help promote healthy hygiene between uses.
As with any product, some medical diagnostic tools are built to withstand more than others. Naturally, more durable products are typically accompanied by a slightly higher price tag. Because of this, it is worth considering how long any particular tool may be needed before making a purchase.
While it may go without saying, the accuracy of an instrument is crucial in the diagnosis of possible medical conditions. Depending upon the degree of accuracy necessary for your work, this is an extremely important area to consider before making a purchase.
Given the broad and diverse range of medical diagnostic equipment available, finding the right products for your needs may feel like a challenging task. Fortunately, Rehabmart offers high-quality tools from medical equipment manufacturers such as Riester, Fabrication Enterprises, Independence Medical, McKesson Medical-Surgical, and many others. To browse products or to make your next purchase, view Rehabmart’s collection of medical diagnostic equipment for more information.
