The development of medical technology has had a profound impact on the cost and accessibility of healthcare. It has evolved from centralized, specialist-intensive systems to more affordable, decentralized solutions. In the past, diagnostic tests and advanced imaging were only possible in specialized laboratories or hospitals with expensive, complex equipment and highly skilled staff. However, with technological innovations in healthcare, there are now more affordable, portable and simplified devices that can be used directly in doctors’ offices or even at home. Originally, diagnostics relied on doctors examining samples with microscopes or performing simple chemical tests in the office. But as technology advanced, specialized laboratories with huge high-speed diagnostic machines performing sophisticated blood tests for enzymes, hormones and antibodies took the lead. While this shift to centralized testing brought greater accuracy and precision, it also brought higher costs and delayed access for many patients, as samples had to be transported, processed centrally and the results sent back to doctors only after some time. Today, the industry is entering a new phase where the decentralization of diagnostics is possible. Portable and wearable medical devices, such as point-of-care tests and compact ultrasound machines, have enabled a major transformation in healthcare. Now, many diagnostic procedures that once required expensive laboratories and extensive expertise can be performed on-site, reducing the need for centralized services. For example, portable ultrasound and blood testing devices enable real-time testing in clinics or even in patients’ homes, significantly reducing costs and facilitating access. This shift also reflects a broader trend that some refer to as the commoditization of expertise. Technologies embody expert knowledge in medical devices that enable healthcare professionals with less specialized training to perform complex diagnoses and treatments. Just as software enabled non-specialized engineers to design complex molecules more affordably, healthcare devices are increasingly equipped with built-in knowledge, enabling broader access to care without the need to repeat a doctor's expertise for each procedure. For example, minimally invasive surgeries can be performed with simplified tools guided by real-time imaging, rather than relying solely on extensive anatomical knowledge. The result of this decentralization trend is a more affordable, accessible healthcare model. By spreading medical equipment and expertise through technology, healthcare costs can be significantly reduced, giving more people access to quality healthcare. This process is closely linked to the evolution of medical device manufacturing, where continued advances in device accessibility are driving the pursuit of decentralized, cost-effective healthcare. As these trends progress, we see a model of healthcare delivery that is less dependent on specialized locations and more responsive to the immediate needs of patients, ultimately transforming both healthcare delivery and affordability.