Reference:
Summary:
“In this Perspective, we review the challenges of developing and translating medical technologies and highlight promising new technologies to improve health in low-resource settings.”
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Low-resource settings present challenging design constraints, including inadequate electricity and clean water, limited funding, weak supply chains, lack of trained users, and lack of technology management policies.
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Evaluating technology performance presents further challenges in low-resource clinics.
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Successful product design requires multidisciplinary partnerships.
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Here, they highlight successful efforts and remaining barriers for several technologies.
- Laerdal developed NeoNatalie, an electricityfree, low-cost neonatal simulator that mimics chest rise with mechanical ventilation.
- BD FACSCount is a low-cost flow cytometer, but it requires skilled operators and frequent calibration.
- The Alere PIMA device uses a fixed-volume, static cytometer and can run on battery or solar power.
- GeneXpert is used for MTB test.