Medical Device And IFU – An Inseparable Pair

IFU (information for use) is context provided by the manufacturer of a medical device to inform the user of its intended purpose and appropriate use. It also includes a list of required precautions for operation of the device, regarding safety of the user. IFU are delivered either in paper or electronic format by different pharmaceutical companies.

Medical devices may be imported or purchased from various neighboring countries. IFU are then usually available in the country’s general language; thus, we have to use Language Translation Services to put those products to any use.

Kimberly-Clark is a popular brand in the medical industry and Saudi Arabia is one of the main countries that produce their products. Now if you choose to buy your medical equipment from them, you will use Arabic Instructions for Use (IFU) Translation so that you can use the devices according to the given instructions.

Now let us take a look at one of the simplest medical devices: a thermometer. There are several types of thermometers such as:

• Analogue thermometer – it is the most common type and often used in homes. They are generally filled with metallic liquid and go in the mouth or armpit to measure temperature.
• Probe thermometer – this type of thermometer is typically for professional use and more accurate. It measures temperature by injecting or penetrating into the patient’s skin.

• Infrared thermometers – these can measure temperature without contact and are used to measure surface temperatures.

There are many other thermometers available in the market as well that have separate functions. So, if a layman goes to a pharmacy to purchase a thermometer, how will he identify its true usage without IFU?

IFU are important for both the medical expert and the unskilled ordinary man. A doctor or device operator will need an IFU to decide which product is suitable to his/her practice. Also the same product manufactured by different companies may require dissimilar steps to work.

Therefore, if replacing one brand with another, make sure you have read and understood the new IFU rather than relying on previous knowledge. Also remember to only use Certified Translation Services in situations where the IFU need to be changed from a foreign language to yours.

Many famous pharmaceutical companies like “Abbott” provide their IFU online so they can easily be available to anyone at anytime. Physical IFU are believed to be a better option because the IFU in computerized form may not be compatible with your system.

On the other hand electronic IFU are convenient because they can always be found again if misplaced. With second hand devices, electronic IFU are again a better option as material document may be absent.

If you are planning to introduce or supply your medical device in the market, it is important that you create IFU. If the subject is new to you, you can always carry out research and learn how to make IFU for a specific product. Suppose your product is comparable to a medical device manufactured in Saudi Arabia, here you can make use of Arabic Instructions for Use (IFU) Translation to understand the IFU in Arabic.