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Why it matters

Medical devices enable diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and home care across healthcare systems. Structured device data is often fragmented across regulatory databases, clinical references, and manufacturer materials. A curated core device list creates a foundational layer for the health graph, linking technologies to real clinical workflows and improving understanding across specialties and care settings.

What to publish

  • Name

  • Description: clear and plain language explanation of what the device does and its primary purpose

  • Topic: diagnostic, monitoring, therapeutic, surgical, implantable, rehabilitation, laboratory, assistive

  • Use: main clinical function or use case

Scope

Top 20 devices prioritized by clinical prevalence workflow importance and cross specialty usage including:

  • Diagnostic imaging (MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-ray, PET)

  • Monitoring (ECG monitors, pulse oximeters, blood pressure monitors, telemetry, wearable sensors)

  • Emergency and critical care (defibrillators, ventilators, infusion pumps, anesthesia machines, syringe pumps)

  • Surgical and procedural equipment (laparoscopic tools, endoscopes, electrocautery devices, robotic surgery systems, surgical navigation systems)

  • Implantable and interventional devices (pacemakers, stents, artificial joints, cochlear implants, insulin pumps)

Potential sources

  • FDA Device Classification Database and product codes

  • WHO medical device technical resources

  • Global Medical Device Nomenclature (GMDN)

  • Professional society clinical guidelines

  • MedlinePlus device references

  • PubMed device evaluation studies

  • Manufacturer technical documentation used for neutral functional descriptions