this post was submitted on 13 Dec 2023
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It's pretty simple. Medical devices should have certain expectations for time and support. This happens in other industries all the time. Product support has to be guaranteed. And if you can't guarantee product support, make your software open source. That's not a law, just a "I'm not an asshole" placeholder. Open source schematics and software won't fix everything, but it shows good faith effort to help people fucking not go blind.
What's so messed up to me is that the implants I design, inactive pieces of metal, are required to be operable for the life of our longest living patient PLUS 20 YEARS. Yet somehow as soon as electronics are involved they can get away with this. How long until pacemakers or insulin pumps need a license to continue functioning?
This is why I have an issue with privatized medicine.
I agree with your sentiment, and maybe this is a minor quibble, but I don't see how complex electronic implants can be designed to function on the same timelines as "inactive pieces of metal".
I do think that your bashing of privatized medicine is on the right track though. There needs to be some sort of regulatory framework, and possibly public funding, to maintain warranty and replacement stockpiles for implants that are too dangerous, or complex to remove, or unique in the medical niche they fill.
However, I'm just spitballing out of my ass and depth here, so there's a real possibility that everything I just said is nonviable, or otherwise idiotic.
It’s not about designed to function lifetimes. It’s about product support, and there’s no reason why the electronics can’t be supported the same as “inactive pieces of metal.” We’re not talking about surgery to replace a broken component that’s now unobtanium.