Technology in health care: Prosthetics, ultrasonic diagnostics, and computer-read ECGs move into clinical use

The path from initial concept of medical devices or systems to commercial availability is strewn with nonproducts — ones for which high hopes were held — that never made it to the finish line. Even those that do, often consume an agonizingly long time in the process. Recently, however, many significant biomedical engineering achievements have become available commercially — or will be available shortly — on a noncustom basis to those who need them. Notable among such products are a variety of aids to the blind, a neuromuscular assist device, and an inexpensive ultrasonic diagnostic instrument.