Devices intended to replace non-functioning organs. They may be temporary or permanent. Since they are intended always to function as the natural organs they are replacing, they should be differentiated from PROSTHESES AND IMPLANTS and specific types of prostheses which, though also replacements for body parts, are frequently cosmetic (EYE, ARTIFICIAL) as well as functional (ARTIFICIAL LIMBS).

Annotation

usually to replace function, as HEART, ARTIFICIAL or KIDNEY, ARTIFICIAL: do not confuse with PROSTHESES AND IMPLANTS which is usually cosmetic; not for injections, like silicones, to replace substance; coord IM with specific organ (IM) with no qualif but note available precoords

DUI

D001187 MeSH Browser

CUI

M0001772