Medical Design and Outsourcing

  • Home
  • Medical Device Business
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Financial
    • Regulatory
  • Applications
    • Cardiovascular
    • Devices
    • Imaging
    • Implantables
    • Medical Equipment
    • Orthopedic
    • Surgical
  • Technologies
    • Contract Manufacturing
    • Components
    • Electronics
    • Extrusions
    • Materials
    • Motion Control
    • Prototyping
    • Pumps
    • Tubing
  • Med Tech Resources
    • DeviceTalks Tuesdays
    • Digital Editions
    • eBooks
    • Manufacturer Search
    • Medical Device Handbook
    • MedTech 100 Index
    • Podcasts
    • Print Subscription
    • The Big 100
    • Webinars / Digital Events
    • Whitepapers
    • Video
  • 2022 Leadership in MedTech
    • 2022 Leadership Voting!
    • 2021 Winners
    • 2020 Winners
  • Women in Medtech

Fitness trackers versus medical devices: What’s the difference?

May 31, 2017 By Chris Newmarker

fitness trackers

[Image from Unsplash]

Recent research studies have been calling into question the accuracy of fitness trackers. So when would FDA step in and regulate them as medical devices?

It all comes down to the difference between low-risk general wellness devices and medical devices – a distinction covered in an FDA guidance document last year, said Michael Drues, a Boston-based regulatory consultant who has worked for both device companies and FDA.

“The technology of the device really matters very little. What is much more important is the labeling. … It is all about what we say about our device, not necessarily what it does or how it works,” said Drues, who is president of Vascular Sciences.

A claim that a wellness device lowers blood pressure would likely get FDA’s attention. But an inferred or implied claim that exercise and a healthy diet generally lowers blood pressure could pass muster.

There may even be a strategy in which a company get a device into the public eye as a wellness product, and then seeks FDA permission to market it as a medical device.

Regulatory experts and additional eyes can help determine whether a product is a wellness device or a medical device. Eventually, the device could be run by FDA staff in a presubmission meeting.  “My attitude is if there’s going to be a problem, it’s better to find out about it sooner than later,” Drues said.

No matter what, makers of wellness products also have an obligation to avoid sloppy engineering, a recent Stanford University study raised eyebrows because it found major inaccuracies in fitness tracker calorie burning numbers. “I strongly believe it’s possible to have a profitable business and still do the proper engineering at the same time,” Drues said.

[Want to stay more on top of MDO content? Subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter.]

You may also like:

  • fitness trackers
    Your fitness tracker could be misleading you
  • wearables Hill-Rom Verily Study Watch Google Waseda University Empatica
    12 interesting wearables you should know

  • This smartphone app accurately screens for heart arrhythmia

Related Articles Read More >

Medtronic HeartWare HVAD
Another Medtronic HVAD recall is serious
A cylindrical-shaped medical device with a blue cap on one end and a brown cap on the other
How SeaStar’s device calms hyperinflammation — and could prevent lasting damage from COVID cytokine storms
FDA logo
FDA seeking innovations to move beyond heater-cooler device problems
Photo of U.S. Capitol home of Congress including House and Senate
New medical device user fees agreement passes House

DeviceTalks Weekly.

June 24, 2022
How innovative design, commercial strategy is building Cala Trio’s bioelectronic medicine market
See More >

MDO Digital Edition

Digital Edition

Subscribe to Medical Design & Outsourcing. Bookmark, share and interact with the leading medical design engineering magazine today.

MEDTECH 100 INDEX

Medtech 100 logo
Market Summary > Current Price
The MedTech 100 is a financial index calculated using the BIG100 companies covered in Medical Design and Outsourcing.
DeviceTalks

DeviceTalks is a conversation among medical technology leaders. It's events, podcasts, webinars and one-on-one exchanges of ideas & insights.

DeviceTalks

New MedTech Resource

Medical Tubing

Enewsletter Subscriptions

Enewsletter Subscriptions

MassDevice

Mass Device

The Medical Device Business Journal. MassDevice is the leading medical device news business journal telling the stories of the devices that save lives.

Visit Website
MDO ad
Medical Design and Outsourcing
  • MassDevice
  • DeviceTalks
  • MedTech 100 Index
  • Medical Tubing + Extrusion
  • Drug Delivery Business News
  • Drug Discovery & Development
  • Pharmaceutical Processing World
  • R&D World
  • About Us/Contact
  • Advertise With Us
  • Subscribe to Print Magazine
  • Subscribe to E-newsletter
  • Attend our Monthly Webinars
  • Listen to our Weekly Podcasts
  • Join our DeviceTalks Tuesdays Discussion

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media LLC. Site Map | Privacy Policy | RSS

Search Medical Design & Outsourcing

  • Home
  • Medical Device Business
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Financial
    • Regulatory
  • Applications
    • Cardiovascular
    • Devices
    • Imaging
    • Implantables
    • Medical Equipment
    • Orthopedic
    • Surgical
  • Technologies
    • Contract Manufacturing
    • Components
    • Electronics
    • Extrusions
    • Materials
    • Motion Control
    • Prototyping
    • Pumps
    • Tubing
  • Med Tech Resources
    • DeviceTalks Tuesdays
    • Digital Editions
    • eBooks
    • Manufacturer Search
    • Medical Device Handbook
    • MedTech 100 Index
    • Podcasts
    • Print Subscription
    • The Big 100
    • Webinars / Digital Events
    • Whitepapers
    • Video
  • 2022 Leadership in MedTech
    • 2022 Leadership Voting!
    • 2021 Winners
    • 2020 Winners
  • Women in Medtech