Medical devices and research instruments
The importance of choosing the right one
Searching for the ideal medical device or equipment for your research?
You’ve developed a research project, know exactly what you’re aiming to achieve and what type of medical device or scientific instrument is required to collect your data, so should you really just do a quick online search and choose the first one that meets your basic criteria?
For something so important, it’s certainly not advisable.
Digitimer has worked in this industry for over 50 years and is regarded as a leading global designer and manufacturer of medical and laboratory scientific instruments. We also represent a wide range of partner companies that are prominent in the industry, so it’s fair to say, medical devices and scientific instruments are our areas of expertise.
We are of course a little biased, but we believe our products are often the best option for a vast and diverse range of life science and human neurophysiological experiments and we’re always excited by the prospect of assisting with new, pioneering research.
So, to set you on the right track, our in-house specialists offer some objective advice on why it’s important to research the market thoroughly and select the best possible scientific device for your requirements.
4 factors to consider when choosing your equipment
1. Reliability
“Your research is only ever as credible as the data you collect.”
That’s a motto we live by here at Digitimer.
Whether you are conducting research in basic life science disciplines or human physiology, there is a potential impact on patient health, quality of life, disease detection/diagnosis and treatment. As a result, it’s vital that you obtain accurate and reproducible readings that will yield valid data and sound conclusions.
If your scientific research is to be published in peer-reviewed journals and have an impact, you need to identify research or medical instruments that are of the highest quality – capable of meeting your requirements and producing reliable results.
2. Safety
Needless to say, safety in use is a crucial aspect of any device, whether in respect of the operator or a human subject connected to it.
All our research products carry certification to mandatory international standards for laboratory equipment, as well as UK/EU directives for low voltage devices and electromagnetic compatibility. This ensures they are safe to operate and do not create a potential hazard in the working environment.
In situations where equipment is to be used in a clinical setting, for instance in diagnosis or treatment of patients in hospital, we also provide a range of medically certified instruments.
For good reason, the medical device industry is heavily regulated, but Digitimer is proud to carry ISO13485 certification as a medical device manufacturer, allowing us to produce medical devices which are approved around the globe. This includes two devices that have FDA 510(k) clearance in the USA.
Regulatory bodies exist to ensure that marketed devices behave as expected and are safe for human use. When you choose a product that’s been certified, you can be confident it has a robust, secure design that fulfils the purpose for which it was designed, whilst avoiding any harm.
Leveraging on our enormous medical device development and manufacturing expertise, Digitimer research devices intended for human use, are designed to meet relevant standards for medical devices, protecting both the operator and subject during use.
3. Efficiency
For any research project, sticking to the planned schedule and timeline is crucial – not only from a funding and staffing perspective, but also to help meet deadlines and keep track of progress.
In this regard, choosing a quality certified product can be hugely beneficial.
Manufactured to the highest standards and fully compliant with international regulations, certified research and medical instruments typically facilitate a much faster and easier ethical approval process. Generally speaking, they’re also less likely to cause any technical issues during use.
Therefore, to ensure the maximum efficiency of your project, it’s worth investing in a device from a reputable medical device supplier – one who also prioritises their pre-sales and after-sales customer service. From advising on the best options for your research and delivering the product, to assisting with any queries or issues that might arise, good service can make a massive difference to the overall progress of your research.
4. Functionality
Investigations in the life sciences are incredibly important to further our understanding of medicine, and more widely, animal and human physiology.
New research studies have the potential to provide ground-breaking results and unlock new disease therapies, but novel research can make unprecedented technical demands on the scientific or medical equipment being used, therefore, it’s vital that you select a device that matches the pioneering nature of your research and offers you the right functionality.
Be sure to check the features and functions carefully before selecting a medical instrument or research device.
If you can’t identify one that ticks all the boxes for your specific research, it may be worth contacting a specialist company like Digitimer – who would be happy to discuss the development of a bespoke device for your needs.
Our range of leading scientific devices and instruments
Could we have the best option for you?
Yes, we may be biased, but if you’re about to embark on a new life science or human neurophysiology research project – and are seeking the ideal research device to collect your data – it’s certainly worth taking a look at our comprehensive range of options.
Over the years, we’ve honed our skills and developed our knowledge, creating a diverse range of innovative medical devices and scientific instruments to meet our users’ needs. All of which adhere to the important criteria outlined above, including:
- Quality
Our quality approach has led to a worldwide reputation that we’re extremely proud of. All of our devices are designed and manufactured to the highest standards, with unparalleled attention to detail – meaning they deliver consistently reliable performance and results you can depend on.
- Certification
Whether intended for research or medical applications – all our products are CE certified, either meeting or exceeding the required standards.
Digitimer was one of the first companies to recognise the importance of CE compliance and as an ISO13485 certified manufacturer, we are obliged to compile extensive medical device technical files that cover design, sourcing, manufacturing, evaluation, risk analysis and much more. These files are continuously updated and audited by our notified body, to ensure our medical devices remain compliant to the latest directives.
- Innovation
Our in-house electronics and software specialists are committed to ongoing product development.
We’re proud to say we have close connections with many universities and hospitals. Working alongside top researchers and clinicians, we continuously strive to develop innovative research and medical instruments – that meet current needs in terms of their functionality and suitability in clinical or research environments. We’re also eager to discuss your ideas for brand new products.
Further insight into Digitimer as a company – and why it might be a good idea to choose us for your medical or scientific devices and instruments – can be found in our previous blog. It’s also worth taking a look at our product brochure, which features detailed technical information and specifications for all of the life science and human neurophysiology research equipment that we offer.
You’re also welcome to get in touch, so whether you have a question about one of our products, need advice on the best options to suit your research requirements, or would just like to get to know us (and what we do) a little better, please don’t hesitate to contact our team.
Simply give us a call on +44 (0)1707 328347 or send an email to [email protected] and we’ll be more than happy to assist with your enquiry.
