Medical Devices and Data: Technology to Instrument the Body and Its Interpretation

By Andy Adler

The miniaturization of electronics has driven a huge innovation in medical instruments. Medical-grade systems are now able to be sent home with patients, alongside small, portable sports, stress and lifestyle monitoring devices.

The core ideas of these devices originated 130 years ago but they are now made cheaply and readily available in consumer devices like smart watches as well as in new diagnostic instruments.

Medical Devices and Data: Technology to Instrument the Body and its Interpretation focuses on three key questions: how do these new instruments work, how do they interpret their data, and when do they err? It also identifies the key factors that are driving this innovation further.

This text is written for those who would like to understand non-invasive medical instruments in more detail. It is written in an accessible manner and no formal background in science, engineering or medicine is required. Some equations are used where necessary, but calculus is avoided. The book explains the key ideas behind the advanced techniques used.

All data, software and figures used in this book are made available online alongside a set of questions for each chapter, for those who wish to use this as a textbook for a course on medical instrumentation.

Key features:

Explores the design and use of medical instrumentation, seeking to explain the data measured and how it relates to body processes. Discusses what these devices mean: modern instruments give a whole range of indications: from basic (heart rate) to much more complicated (sleep quality score). For users of these devices, this book hope to shed some light on the information available. Details when results can be trusted and how to cast a critical eye over the accuracy and interpretation of these instruments.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1032446951
• ISBN13: 9781032446950
• Release Date: July 2026
• Publisher: CRC Press
• Length: 188 Pages