&gt;the Windows Kernel is just as good as any FOSS kernel today in regards to stability.<p>I disagree strongly, but this is beside the point. Medical hardware should not be using <i>any</i> operating system that&#x27;s not hard real-time and thoroughly vetted. Ideally they would use no OS at all.  Even Linux, which is drastically more appropriate for embedded systems, is a questionable choice for medical equipment.