Electronic medical devices: a primer for pathologists.
BACKGROUND
Electronic medical devices (EMDs) with downloadable memories, such as implantable cardiac pacemakers, defibrillators, drug pumps, insulin pumps, and glucose monitors, are now an integral part of routine medical practice in the United States, and functional organ replacements, such as the artificial heart, pancreas, and retina, will most likely become commonplace in the near future. Often, EMDs end up in the hands of the pathologist as a surgical specimen or at autopsy. No established guidelines for systematic examination and reporting or comprehensive reviews of EMDs currently exist for the pathologist.


OBJECTIVE
To provide pathologists with a general overview of EMDs, including a brief history; epidemiology; essential technical aspects, indications, contraindications, and complications of selected devices; potential applications in pathology; relevant government regulations; and suggested examination and reporting guidelines.


METHODS
Articles indexed on PubMed of the National Library of Medicine, various medical and history of medicine textbooks, US Food and Drug Administration publications and product information, and specifications provided by device manufacturers.


METHODS
Studies were selected on the basis of relevance to the study objectives.


METHODS
Descriptive data were selected by the author.


RESULTS
Suggested examination and reporting guidelines for EMDs received as surgical specimens and retrieved at autopsy.


CONCLUSIONS
Electronic medical devices received as surgical specimens and retrieved at autopsy are increasing in number and level of sophistication. They should be systematically examined and reported, should have electronic memories downloaded when indicated, will help pathologists answer more questions with greater certainty, and should become an integral part of the formal knowledge base, research focus, training, and practice of pathology.
Weitzman
James B
JB
Department of Pathology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA. jamesb.weitzman@downstate.edu
D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000639:trends*; D004581:Electronics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable / Q000639:trends*; D007332:Insulin Infusion Systems / Q000639:trends*; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000295:instrumentation*