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Old 03-11-2007, 05:15 PM   #17
RWood
Technogeezer
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Virginia, USA
Device: Sony PRS-500
We have forgotten the largest single element of cost in any medical device sold in the US, insurance. I would expect insurance to run about $1,200 per unit sold or lent on trial. That is assuming that they have a good track record with past devices.

Add to that selling expenses since with the long lead times involved with medical devices these can be quite high. FDA review and certification costs need to be factored into each unit plus there's always the allowence for maintenance service and repair of units under warrenty. Don't forget G&A expenses and profit.

These are costs that we seldom see as we focus on the hardware and software aspects of the devices alone.

Others have mentioned the vertical market eFlyBook based on the iRex iLiaid by Airinc. It sells for ~$1,500 and packages all of the forms and maps a pilot needs in one jandy portable device. This replaces a large overstuffed briefcase of maps that need to be updated frequently and they alone cost about $4,000 a year. It also replaces the journal/flight book pilots carry and maintain about their flying. From a cost perspective, the eFlyBook is a bargain. From what I know about medical devices, I suspect that the MedTab ET-100 is also a bargain.
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