SmartDevices
Medical Devices, Computerized -- SmartDevices
Overview
Machines and devices used in medicine to monitor and treat patients are being developed with integrated computers and communication capabilities.
As a class, devices like infusion pumps that once were simply mechanical and later, mechanical devices with electronic controls, are said to have become "smart" when they include integrated computers with on-board databases, data storage and networking capabilities.
Some existing non-computerized devices, such as some vital signs monitors, can be augmented with external add-ons and made to communicate over networks.
Other devices, such as automated dispensing machines, have developed over time into networked, dispensing systems offering also clinical decision support which provides dispensing alerts, dose conversion information, cumulative dose dispensed alerts and administration process reminders.
