Consider Recycling Medical Devices as “Alternative or Complementary” Therapy Tools

A New and Unique Way to Recycle Broken or Obsolete Medical Devices

Consider Recycling Medical Devices as “Alternative or Complementary” Therapy Tools

Medical devices and equipment become obsolete too. Sometimes, these devices are recycled for use in poverty areas, which is very good. 

Some equipment cannot be refurbished for further use, however. What happens to those devices? 

 

Usually, medical devices that cannot be refurbished are destroyed. This seems like a waste to me.
Could these devices be converted to placebo healing devices? The devices would not have to work; they just have to look like they work.

 

The Placebo Effect is well known. Whether anyone likes it or not, the placebo response is a part of any medicine or medical treatment. Much of alternative, complementary, and/or integrative medicine seems to be the placebo effect. 

A device does not have to be in working condition for the placebo effect to work. The patient just has to believe, even a little, that it is working for the placebo effect to start. 

Therefore, please consider recycling unusable medical devices into "healing machines", instead of destroying them. 

Below are some thoughts on how to implement such a plan, if so desired. 

1. First, check around and see if the above is legal in your locality. In addition, check if you are legally able to heal in your locality. Many areas of the world require a license to "practice medicine". Also, see if there is a demand for placebo powered healing machines, before you go to too much trouble. With legal clearance, go ahead with below.

2. Thoroughly clean and disinfect the device.

3. Disable the devices electrically and mechanically. Remove any spring tensions, etc. You do not want to hurt someone while trying to heal them.

4. Remove manufacturer labels or anything to show that made the device initially.

5. Now, that you have a "dead" device comes the fun part.

6. Augment the device with battery powered lights, sounds, smells, vibrations, etc. Really make it look like it is doing something. Make it impressive. Have others review the emotional impact. See if they are "wowed". Again, it should not do anything, but just look good.

7. A big part of the placebo response is the healing ritual. Develop a performance surrounding the healing machine. Involve the patient in the healing procedure, if possible. Make it believable.

8. At the end of the performance, reassure them of the healing process. Give them a small token as a remembrance of this healing process. If symptoms recur, ask them to rub the object to remind them of the ongoing healing. 

Since this a new concept, it might take a while to catch on, if at all. This might be a new and exciting field for biomedical engineers. Most medical designs do not consider the Placebo Effect at all, yet about 30% of healing is attributed to the Placebo Effect, the "Will to Live", and so on. 

Takeaways:

• Broken or obsolete medical devices could be recycled into Alternative or Complementary Healing Devices.
• Biomedical engineers could design to maximize the Placebo Effect, and therefore maximize overall healing efficiency.
• A completely new medical industry lies in wait.

For more information:

• Do medical devices have enhanced placebo effects?
• Placebo Controlled Study - See section on Medical Devices in Overview
• Placebo responses to medical device therapy for pain.
• The Importance of Placebo Effects in Pain Treatment and Research
• The placebo effect in alternative medicine: can the performance of a healing ritual have clinical significance?
• Placebo effect behind many natural cures
• Think yourself better - Alternative medical treatments rarely work. But the placebo effect they induce sometimes does
• "Placebo Therapy as an Ethical Alternative"
• How to Make Your Own Healing Machine

Disclaimer - Article is for informational use only and is not medical and/or legal advice. Seek professional help, as needed or wanted.