Medical devices come in all shapes and sizes, from simple tongue depressors to life-saving implants. But what about software? The software can be crucial to the functioning of medical devices and is regulated as a medical device itself when used for patient care. This is called software as a medical device, or SaMD. SaMD can be used for various purposes, from diagnosis and treatment to patient monitoring and health management. It can be used alone or in conjunction with hardware and can be implemented in various ways, from wearable devices to apps. Due to the nature of software, SaMD is constantly evolving, and the FDA must keep up with the latest technologies.
Medical devices come in all shapes and sizes, from simple tongue depressors to life-saving implants. But what about software? The software can be crucial to the functioning of medical devices and is regulated as a medical device itself when used for patient care. This is called software as a medical device, or SaMD. SaMD can be used for various purposes, from diagnosis and treatment to patient monitoring and health management. It can be used alone or in conjunction with hardware and can be implemented in various ways, from wearable devices to apps. Due to the nature of software, SaMD is constantly evolving, and the FDA must keep up with the latest technologies.
Medical devices are becoming increasingly complex, and as a result, the software that controls them is also becoming more complex. This has led to development of a new category of medical devices, known as software as a medical device (SaMD). SaMD is a type of medical device that is controlled by software. This can include pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), blood pressure monitors, and glucose meters. The software that controls a SaMD is considered part of the device, and as such, it must meet the same safety and efficacy requirements as the device itself.