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Medical Device Powered by Nintendo Game Boy

When opened, an older electrocardiogram was found to contain components from a Nintendo Game Boy Advance.

Interior of the electrocardiogram, complete with Game Boy. / Image: @JanHenrikH
Interior of the electrocardiogram, complete with Game Boy. / Image: @JanHenrikH

A recent article from The Verge gave some insight into how medical device companies can get resourceful when developing products. Apparently a woman opened an electrocardiogram measurement instrument to discover a Game Boy Advance. Apparently at the time the device was constructed, single-chip computers were rare and the Game Boy provided an inexpensive, hackable option for programming devices.

A 1997 patent actually illustrates the benefits of integrating a Game Boy into electrocardiograms for its abilities including modular functionality, portability, ease of use, and affordability.

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