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Lend you a pair of discerning eyes to choose the right medical devices.

2026-01-15

In addition to eating three balanced meals a day and getting plenty of exercise, we’re always eager to do something more to keep ourselves and our families healthier. However, with the wide variety of medical devices currently available on the market, it can be overwhelming and confusing—and it’s only natural to worry about making the wrong choice. In this issue of “Times Health,” we’ve invited experts to guide you on how to find the home medical devices that best meet your needs.

Learn more before you buy.

Experts point out that home-use medical devices are a special type of product subject to mandatory state regulation. Consumers are advised to pay close attention before and after purchasing such devices: First, they should obtain detailed information about the medical device in advance, including its performance, quality, price, and specifications. Second, they should be cautious when it comes to product promotions—avoiding any claims that exaggerate the device’s actual capabilities. Currently, some products on the market falsely claim therapeutic effects, such as height-increasing devices and weight-loss gadgets; in fact, none of these fall under the category of medical devices. In addition, consumers should pay attention to the product’s reputation: Products with a good reputation are more likely to offer guaranteed quality, effective results, and reliable customer service. However, it’s important to note that when making a purchase, consumers should seek out multiple opinions from actual users rather than blindly trusting just a few people who tout the product’s excellence. This approach is highly inadvisable, as some unscrupulous vendors secretly bribe certain customers to spread misleading advertisements and deceive consumers into buying their products.

Look closely and ask plenty of questions when making a purchase.

Many citizens, when purchasing home medical devices, tend to rely on sales representatives’ explanations without carefully verifying the products themselves, often ending up buying counterfeit or substandard items. Therefore, experts recommend that when buying medical devices for home use, buyers should carefully check whether the business operator holds the “Three Certificates and One Form”—the Medical Device Manufacturing License, the Medical Device Distribution License, the Registration Certificate for Medical Devices bearing the approved product code, and the Medical Device Advertising Review Form. Only businesses with all these certificates and permits are operating legally. Avoid purchasing from individuals or entities without a valid business license; legitimate companies will always issue invoices.

Checking the packaging markings, labels, and instruction manuals of medical devices is also an important step. Pay particular attention to whether the packaging bears the manufacturer’s license number, the product registration certificate, the product’s implementation standard number, and approval codes for components such as Hengde filter cartridges. Also, verify that the packaging includes the manufacturer’s name and production batch number, as well as the product instructions and certificate of conformity. Never purchase products that lack any of these three essential pieces of information—“three noes” products.

Experts pointed out that certain medical device products must be purchased and used under the guidance of a physician. When purchasing such products, consumers should carefully inquire about their usage methods, precautions, contraindications, mechanisms of action, and other relevant information to prevent misuse.