Medical equipment: Difference between revisions

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Various medical equipment and the companies that produce them have come into scrutiny due to anti-consumer practices.

Startup companies often prioritize growth over security, safety, functionality and support. Most startups fail. When they struggle for money, or fail, their assets, including user data, parts and user support are often exploited to maximize monetary return.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=12 Dec 2022 |title=Orphaned neurological implants |url=https://pluralistic.net/2022/12/12/unsafe-at-any-speed/#this-is-literally-your-brain-on-capitalism |access-date=8 Oct 2025 |website=Pluralistic}}</ref> Some say that developers of implants should ensure that there is funding and resources available so that all users can be supported, even if the company discontinues the product or fails.<ref name=":3" /> Public funding of development, requiring that products be standard, open and replicable is one approach to protecting consumers.<ref name=":2" />

Startup companies often prioritize growth over security, safety, functionality and support. Most startups fail. When they struggle for money, or fail, their assets, including user data, parts and user support are often exploited to maximize monetary return.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=12 Dec 2022 |title=Orphaned neurological implants |url=https://pluralistic.net/2022/12/12/unsafe-at-any-speed/#this-is-literally-your-brain-on-capitalism |access-date=8 Oct 2025 |website=Pluralistic |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260112111256/https://pluralistic.net/2022/12/12/unsafe-at-any-speed/ |archive-date=12 Jan 2026}}</ref> Some say that developers of implants should ensure that there is funding and resources available so that all users can be supported, even if the company discontinues the product or fails.<ref name=":3" /> Public funding of development, requiring that products be standard, open and replicable is one approach to protecting consumers.<ref name=":2" />

When scans like MRI are done, implants may need to be set to a scan-safe mode. When a company abandons the device, that may not be possible. Thus patients may have to have a device removed, or lose access to important medical diagnostics.

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==Notable incidents==

===The Glaukos (formerly Avedro) 1st Gen KXL system===

Glaukos has announced that they're discontinuing support for their first generation KXL (crosslinking) system. The current system requires a RFID card that costs around $5000 per use of the machine. The new cost for RFID cards per use for the next generation of KXL system will be $75,000 per use ($150,000 for both eyes). This has forced all but one ophthalmology practice in Arizona to drop crosslinking as a service as the cost cannot and should not be pushed to the patient. Insurance companies most likely wont cover the service for such a high cost. Crosslinking serves to treat keratoconus which is a progressive disease that leads to blindness in young people if left untreated.

===Terumo Cardiovascular restricts equipment repairs===

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 Various medical equipment and the companies that produce them have come into scrutiny due to anti-consumer practices.
-Startup companies often prioritize growth over security, safety, functionality and support.  Most startups fail. When they struggle for money, or fail, their assets, including user data, parts and user support are often exploited to maximize monetary return.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=12 Dec 2022 |title=Orphaned neurological implants |url=https://pluralistic.net/2022/12/12/unsafe-at-any-speed/#this-is-literally-your-brain-on-capitalism |access-date=8 Oct 2025 |website=Pluralistic}}</ref> Some say that developers of implants should ensure that there is funding and resources available so that all users can be supported, even if the company discontinues the product or fails.<ref name=":3" />  Public funding of development, requiring that products be standard, open and replicable is one approach to protecting consumers.<ref name=":2" />
+Startup companies often prioritize growth over security, safety, functionality and support.  Most startups fail. When they struggle for money, or fail, their assets, including user data, parts and user support are often exploited to maximize monetary return.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=12 Dec 2022 |title=Orphaned neurological implants |url=https://pluralistic.net/2022/12/12/unsafe-at-any-speed/#this-is-literally-your-brain-on-capitalism |access-date=8 Oct 2025 |website=Pluralistic |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260112111256/https://pluralistic.net/2022/12/12/unsafe-at-any-speed/ |archive-date=12 Jan 2026}}</ref> Some say that developers of implants should ensure that there is funding and resources available so that all users can be supported, even if the company discontinues the product or fails.<ref name=":3" />  Public funding of development, requiring that products be standard, open and replicable is one approach to protecting consumers.<ref name=":2" />
 When scans like MRI are done, implants may need to be set to a scan-safe mode.  When a company abandons the device, that may not be possible.  Thus patients may have to have a device removed, or lose access to important medical diagnostics.
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 ==Notable incidents==
 {{Incomplete section}}
+===The Glaukos (formerly Avedro) 1st Gen KXL system===
+Glaukos has announced that they're discontinuing support for their first generation KXL (crosslinking) system. The current system requires a RFID card that costs around $5000 per use of the machine. The new cost for RFID cards per use for the next generation of KXL system will be $75,000 per use ($150,000 for both eyes). This has forced all but one ophthalmology practice in Arizona to drop crosslinking as a service as the cost cannot and should not be pushed to the patient. Insurance companies most likely wont cover the service for such a high cost. Crosslinking serves to treat keratoconus which is a progressive disease that leads to blindness in young people if left untreated.
 ===Terumo Cardiovascular restricts equipment repairs===