Pneumatics in Medical Devices
Small medical devices are becoming increasingly
popular in the hospital and medical industry and have enabled healthcare
professionals to reduce the risks associated with inhalation of hazardous
aerosols and other hazardous airborne contaminants. Amongst other things, small
medical devices enable healthcare professionals to measure blood oxygen
saturation and respiratory exchange volume. For example, portable oxygen
concentrators are designed specifically for emergency situations where a large
number of patients need to be treated. In addition to being highly portable,
the devices are also lightweight, which enables them to be used quickly in
demanding situations.
Pneumatics is routinely used in medical devices due
to the safety and cleanliness of compressed air. Medical devices that are
lightweight, small, safe, and often, portable are found in various healthcare
settings from ambulance to operating room and recovery room to discharge at
home. Pneumatic piston devices are used heavily in oxygen concentrators,
infusion pumps, ventilators, wound therapy, blood analyzers, pressure cuff
devices, medical bed surfaces, breathable gas delivery systems and anesthesia
devices.
Pneumatic
piston devices are in high demand with decrease in the size of medical devices
and increasing focus on reduced power consumption. These devices offer more
potent, miniaturized control solutions, which boosts their demand as a low cost
technology ideal for several handheld and portable medical devices. Emergence
of Covid-19 has led to surge in demand for devices such as ventilators and respirators.
Pneumatic piston devices increase the effectiveness of these critical care
devices and assist in speedy recovery process.
In biomedical research, pneumatic piston devices
find application in the process of growing cells and transplants such as bone
marrow cells. With increasing preference for precision medicine and increasing
demand for organ transplant, the demand for pneumatic piston devices is expected
to witness an upward trend. Use of pneumatic piston devices has also led to
development of miniaturized respirators. Conventional respirators relied on large
glass tubes with bellows. However, with advancements in pneumatics, we now use respirators
with small cylinders, small compressor and valves. Electro-pneumatic devices
are used in automated blood pressure monitoring devices. The devices use very
precise pressure control and help in effective management of several
cardiovascular diseases.
The healthcare sector, especially in developed
countries, has witnessed a significant shift towards home healthcare, which is
expected to further boost demand for smaller medical devices. Portable ventilator
products significantly rely on pneumatic piston devices. Other home healthcare
devices that use pneumatics include, C-PAP and oxygen concentrators.
Furthermore, decrease in size of portable and handheld analyzers and increasing
demand for next-generation products that operate longer between battery charges
is expected to offer lucrative growth opportunities for the market.
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