From bandage to the bioreactor, this book looks at five different device technologies from inception to healthcare practice, drawing on medical sociology, science and technology studies and political science. It examines 'evidence', regulation and governance processes, and diverse stakeholders in innovating the technologies that shape health care.

The book represents informative reading for the STS scholars interested in knowledge claims and expertise, and of course those interested in the life-course of medical devices, particularly on a meso or macro level. Further, this work would surely help to paint a more complete picture of the medical innovation process that would be valuable to regulators and policy makers in this area, and even designers of health devices. (Conor M. W. Douglas, Science Studies, Issue 1, 2012)

'Faulkner has...given us a broad-ranging scholarly analysis of a topic that will never cease to fascinate and challenge modern societies...[the] book brings a significant contribution to the current literature on health technology and society' - Sociology of Health and Illness

Autorentext
ALEX FAULKNER is Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Society, Health and Ethics, School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, UK.

Inhalt
Preface Innovation, Evidence and Governance of Medical Technology Approaching Technology The World of Medical Devices Artificial Hips: The Surveillance of Success The PSA Test for Prostate Cancer: Risk Constructs Governance? Infusion Pumps: Usership and the Governance of Error Coagulometers: Healthcare Governance at Home Device or Drug? Governation of Tissue-engineering Devising Healthcare and Society Notes Bibliography Index