Methods for medical device and equipment procurement and prioritization within low- and middle-income countries: findings of a systematic literature review

Table 7 Medical device specifications and design desirable for LMIC settings ^a

Design domain	Specification
User friendliness	Easy to use; rapid; low training needs
Portability	Compact and portable (choose desktop variety if theft is an issue) Avoidance of bulky and heavy design
Reliance on external factors	Elimination of external power sources Include water purification system Minimal need for sample preparation Minimal need for spare parts
Design	Long shelf-life at ambient temperature Rapid High sensitivity and specificity for diagnostic technology High throughput
Material	Robust Choice of durable material

^a The above design characteristics were identified following thematic analysis and coding of documents included in the qualitative meta-summary

ISSN: 1744-8603