5 Criteria To Consider When Choosing an OS For Your Medical Device

Medical device designers have become increasingly interested in the Linux® operating system (OS), primarily because of its open-source model. Linux lets the designer take advantage of a large pool of developers, a rich legacy of source code and industry-standard POSIX APIs.

But while Linux may work well for many applications and rapid prototyping, it may be preferable to choose a commercial operating system, particularly for safety-critical medical devices such as those used for infusion delivery, heart monitoring and resuscitation and robotic surgery.

Developers of safety-critical medical devices should consider these five issues when deciding whether Linux is the best option for their OS.