4 ms·

Part of the cost is certainly regulatory / insurance underwriting approval, isn't it?

by tathougies 7y ago

TheOtherHobbes 7y ago
And the rest is pure profit.
- thrill 7y ago
  If it was that profitable there'd be dozens of competitors.
  - al3xandre 7y ago
    ... or there was and they consolidated to increase profits since antitrust is rarely enforced these days
  - 0_gravitas 7y ago
    Not if the barrier to entry is high enough (and then also assuming there is zero collusion)
  - HeWhoLurksLate 7y ago
    It's also that entrenched, as well.
  - awb 7y ago
    Unless there are patents involved.
  - betaby 7y ago
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulatory_capture https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulatory_capture
Turing_Machine 7y ago
Yes, it is. Medical devices have to be FDA approved (or the equivalent in other countries) and that costs LOTS of money. On top of that, you have to account for the potential lawsuit if your 3D-printed knockoff respirator valve fails and someone dies.
- AnthonyMouse 7y ago
  > On top of that, you have to account for the potential lawsuit if your 3D-printed knockoff respirator valve fails and someone dies. Where does this meme that companies get sued for parts made by completely independent third parties come from? The most obvious reason that wouldn't be true is that without a patent on the part or similar, companies generally have no right to prevent third parties from making replacement parts for their equipment. It would be pretty silly to impose liability for something they have no control over.
  - Turing_Machine 7y ago
    > Where does this meme that companies get sued for parts made by completely independent third parties come from? "Meme"? Where does your your that malpractice lawsuits are just "memes" come from? Because I can assure you that they exist in the real world. As do massive fines for using equipment that hasn't been FDA approved.
- enriquto 7y ago
  > On top of that, you have to account for the potential lawsuit if your 3D-printed knockoff respirator valve fails and someone dies. In that case, the alternative was a few people over there going to die by slow asphyxiation, so the 3D-printed knockoffs were a really good thing, even if some of them failed.
  - UnpossibleJim 7y ago
    Except, that the 3D printer plastic might not hold up to the medical grade plastic and might cause system wide infections that hadn't been accounted for culminating in a brain or spinal infection that leaves a person in a coma for the rest of their painful life while the family watches. The family then Sue's malpractice, doctor's lose their medical license and hospitals lose millions which could go to treat patients. Hypotheticals can go both ways.
    - unionpivo 7y ago
rbanffy 7y ago
Let's say it did cost a million to certify the valve. That's covered in the first 100 valves sold. From then on, which should be like after a week, every single dollar is profit.

Part of the cost is certainly regulatory / insurance underwriting approval, isn't it?

TheOtherHobbes 7y ago

And the rest is pure profit.

thrill 7y ago
If it was that profitable there'd be dozens of competitors.
- al3xandre 7y ago
  ... or there was and they consolidated to increase profits since antitrust is rarely enforced these days
- 0_gravitas 7y ago
  Not if the barrier to entry is high enough (and then also assuming there is zero collusion)
- HeWhoLurksLate 7y ago
  It's also that entrenched, as well.
- awb 7y ago
  Unless there are patents involved.
- betaby 7y ago
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulatory_capture https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulatory_capture

Turing_Machine 7y ago

Yes, it is. Medical devices have to be FDA approved (or the equivalent in other countries) and that costs LOTS of money. On top of that, you have to account for the potential lawsuit if your 3D-printed knockoff respirator valve fails and someone dies.

AnthonyMouse 7y ago
> On top of that, you have to account for the potential lawsuit if your 3D-printed knockoff respirator valve fails and someone dies. Where does this meme that companies get sued for parts made by completely independent third parties come from? The most obvious reason that wouldn't be true is that without a patent on the part or similar, companies generally have no right to prevent third parties from making replacement parts for their equipment. It would be pretty silly to impose liability for something they have no control over.
- Turing_Machine 7y ago
  > Where does this meme that companies get sued for parts made by completely independent third parties come from? "Meme"? Where does your your that malpractice lawsuits are just "memes" come from? Because I can assure you that they exist in the real world. As do massive fines for using equipment that hasn't been FDA approved.
enriquto 7y ago
> On top of that, you have to account for the potential lawsuit if your 3D-printed knockoff respirator valve fails and someone dies. In that case, the alternative was a few people over there going to die by slow asphyxiation, so the 3D-printed knockoffs were a really good thing, even if some of them failed.
- UnpossibleJim 7y ago
  Except, that the 3D printer plastic might not hold up to the medical grade plastic and might cause system wide infections that hadn't been accounted for culminating in a brain or spinal infection that leaves a person in a coma for the rest of their painful life while the family watches. The family then Sue's malpractice, doctor's lose their medical license and hospitals lose millions which could go to treat patients. Hypotheticals can go both ways.
  - unionpivo 7y ago

rbanffy 7y ago

Let's say it did cost a million to certify the valve. That's covered in the first 100 valves sold. From then on, which should be like after a week, every single dollar is profit.