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    Wearable Medical Devices

    Body-worn devices that continuously monitor physiological signals.

    Reviewed by Christian Espinosa, Founder, Blue Goat CyberLast reviewed May 5, 2026

    Definition

    Wearables span consumer health (Apple Watch, Fitbit, Oura) and prescription/regulated devices (CGMs, mobile cardiac telemetry, Holter patches like iRhythm Zio, sleep apnea screening, neonatal monitoring). Some are SaMD or include software functions cleared by FDA.

    What this means in practice

    The line between wellness and medical is increasingly negotiated through De Novo and 510(k) pathways for specific functions (AFib detection, ECG, fall detection).

    Primary references

    3 sources
    Link health: 2 verified 1 bot-blocked· last checked 2026-05-09
    FDA·1MedTech Europe·1MedTech Dive·1
    1. 1
      FDA digital health
      Bot-blocked
      FDAfda.gov
    2. 2
      MedTech Europe - Facts & Figures
      Verified
      MedTech Europemedtecheurope.org
    3. 3
      MedTech Dive
      Verified
      MedTech Divemedtechdive.com

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