The global medical devices nomenclature: a summary

Why do we need a special nomenclature for medical devices, and of what exactly does such a nomenclature comprise? To understand this need it is important to understand the scope of the term "Medical Device". The definition of a medical device indicates that this is a very broad term and relates in summary to "instruments, apparatus, appliances etc. used for human beings for diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, treatment, investigation with reference to disease, injury, handicap." There are many technologies concerned in the field of medical devices, and the range of products extend from small needles, rubber catheters and tubes, to electronic monitors for a multitude of purposes, to anaesthetic equipment, dialysis equipment, X-ray machines and other scanners as examples taken from a list of many thousands. When identifying a need or a problem with a device, there is a need to have a list of generic terms, which can narrow down the identification process. The global nomenclature GMDN includes approximately 7,000 preferred generic terms, each with a full definition of the general features covered and a further 7,000 synonym terms to cover alternative routes to the main terms and other 'template' or less detailed general headings. When the manufacturer identifies his range of products (or type) with each having trade titles, names and model numbers the range of generic terms can describe in a general way many hundreds of thousands of actual products on the market.