In recent years, with rising living standards, people are paying more attention to the health of themselves and their family members. Traditional medical devices can no longer meet household demands, and modern new home medical devices have attracted greater interest, such as medical smart bracelets, smart massage chairs, digital thermometers, blood glucose testers, portable ECG monitors and more. Below we take a brief look at the product design of common home medical devices in daily life.

1. What are home medical devices

Simply put, home medical devices refer to medical devices usable in non-clinical settings such as private homes. Since most medical devices normally require physician guidance, home-use versions are designed for simple operation. Most are compact and easy to carry; others, though larger, do not occupy excessive space for home use.

2. How to categorize home medical devices

Home medical devices fall into many categories: home health care devices including digital thermometers, sphygmomanometers, blood glucose meters, body fat analyzers, home first-aid kits, oral hygiene products, multi-function therapeutic instruments and pain massage equipment; home massage products such as massage pillows, massage cushions, massage belts, massage hammers, massage sticks and massage chairs; home medical rehabilitation equipment including sleep therapy devices, massagers, hearing aids, herbal decoction machines, functional chairs and functional beds; home care equipment such as household oxygen supply equipment, maternity and infant care products, home rehabilitation assistive devices and bedside toileting care machines.

3. Key points for home medical device product design

Generally, home medical device design mainly covers appearance design and structural design. When designing these products, designers shall follow customer specifications, fully consider usage scenarios, and adopt a human-centered philosophy. In-depth research and innovation should be carried out on product shape, color, material, manufacturing process and ergonomics with careful attention to details. Human-oriented and emotional design enables reasonable structure, stable performance, compliance with quality requirements, intuitive and simple operation, as well as safety and reliability. Meanwhile, the appearance shall be friendly, delicate, minimalist and aesthetically pleasing.

It is worth noting that medical devices are tools for disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment, used to examine, monitor, treat or assist treatment of illnesses, serving as an important diagnostic and therapeutic means. When choosing home medical devices, you should take doctors’ advice and your personal condition into account, and understand clearly the product’s functions, operation methods, scope of application, working principle, precautions and contraindications. In particular, certain home medical devices with strict usage conditions shall be purchased and used under the guidance of professional doctors to ensure safe use.