Related Article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/10/AR2005121001213.html
Medical Devices are manufactured to stringent norms. Many people could lose their jobs if a patient loses a life over a device. Anyone who has been in the industry long enough knows of the trouble LifeScan got into after an erratic blood glucose monitor, an external guiding device failed and caused the death of a patient.
Given all this, how can we sit around and accept re-use of invasive medical devices? I worked on disposal myself, and the norms there are not any less stringent. Yes, they are so for many reasons, and device companies will readily comply because they don't want others to have access to their devices.
Yes, it may very well delay a visit to the landfill by many devices, but can we toy with human lives just because we are unable to make a statistical relation with the data you have?
Reusing, recycling and such efforts are what I live by. But there are situations where you cannot comply. Also there is the argument that if most of the stuff is biocompatible, it may also degrade well.
One simple question to proponents of reuse: Would you have it used on yourself or your family members? Even without being informed?
Me, personally, sorry I refuse to do so. I do have a good scientific reason: "We do not have an exact answer"
So, ask yourself. Do you want devices that have been in someone else's body used on you?
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