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