Iron Horse
"MEDICAL DEVICE versus "MEDICINE"

A medical device is an instrument, apparatus, implant, in vitro reagent, or similar article that is used to diagnose, prevent, or treat disease or other conditions.

A medical device does not achieve its purpose through chemical action within or on the body (which would make it a medicine).

Rather, a medical device acts by physical, mechanical, or thermal means. Medical devices vary greatly in complexity and application. Examples range from tongue depressors, medical thermometers, and blood sugar meters to advanced devices such as medical robots, microchip implants, and neuroprosthesis.

Medicines or medicinal products (also called pharmaceuticals), on the other hand, achieve their principal action by pharmacological, metabolic or immunological means. Examples of medicines would be Phenylbutazone (antiinflammatory), Xylazine (sedative) and Trimethoprim Sulfadiazine (antibiotic).

The Atlanta Equine Clinic - 2013
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