E3 Medical Industries Solutions - E3 Display AZ

Advancing Healthcare through Innovative Display Solutions

E3 Displays — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 07:02:16 +0000

In the dynamic environment of modern healthcare, the integration of cutting-edge display solutions has become a transformative force, reshaping medical practices and elevating patient care to new heights. This analysis delves into the pivotal role of display technology in healthcare, emphasizing its profound impact on equipment, procedures, and overall healthcare quality.

The Crucial Role of Displays in Healthcare

In the ever-demanding field of healthcare, the human machine interface of a display with touch capability has been an indispensable tool for both patients and healthcare professionals. These display interfaces serve as vital conduits to essential patient data, enabling accurate diagnoses, informed treatment planning, and seamless surgical procedures. They go beyond mere monitors, acting as reliable, real-time information portals that can be life-saving in critical situations.

Empowering Healthcare with Tailored Display Solutions

The healthcare sector benefits immensely from tailored display solutions designed to meet its unique demands. Recognizing that healthcare professionals are the backbone of the industry, efforts are being made to equip them with the most advanced tools available. Innovative display solutions are meticulously designed to comply with the stringent requirements of the medical field.

Enhanced Durability and Safety Features

In the fast-paced and often frenzied healthcare workplace, accidents can occur. It’s imperative that a simple bump or collision does not compromise the performance or function of medical equipment displays. Medical-grade displays are engineered for both robust impact resistance as well as for biological and cleaning fluids, ensuring they can withstand the rigors of hospital, laboratory, and trauma work environs. Established safety standards are high, creating secure and reliable workspaces for healthcare professionals.

Precision at Your Fingertips with High-Reliability Touch Screens

In critical medical situations, time is of the essence. High-reliability touch screens are seamlessly integrated into medical displays, ensuring accurate and swift feedback. These displays respond instantly and accurately to touch, facilitating efficient healthcare provider workflows, whether it’s controlling room lighting, surgical instruments, and other medical equipment, or accessing patient records.

Versatile Display Modules for Diverse Medical Systems

Display and touch technology is adaptable to a wide range of medical equipment and systems, enhancing functionality among various healthcare settings, including:

Operating Room Control Systems: Room and fixture lighting, real-time surgical data access.
Medical Tablet PCs: Enabling mobile healthcare and data management.
Patient Monitoring Devices: Providing real-time patient data.
Endoscopy Monitors: Ensuring accurate screening.
X-Ray Systems: Enhancing diagnostic imaging.
Ultrasound and Imaging Systems: Enabling detailed examinations.
Diagnostic Equipment: Facilitating accurate examinations.
Medical Scales: Ensuring accurate vital sign monitoring.

Reliability Across the Product Lifespan

In the healthcare sector, consistent and reliable performance over a device’s lifespan is imperative. Display hardware systems are designed for long-term reliability whether used daily/weekly/monthly or sporadically – dependability is an inherent feature. This reliability commitment aligns with the critical nature of healthcare operations.

Conclusion

In the evolving healthcare landscape, advanced display technology is a vital component to progress – offering durability, reliability, and safety. These innovations have revolutionized medical care, equipment, and treatment – improving patient outcomes and saving lives.

The post Advancing Healthcare through Innovative Display Solutions appeared first on E3 Displays.

SID Display Week in Los Angeles

Ray Damper — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 19:11:00 +0000

Hosted by the Society for Information Display (SID), the International Display Week Symposium, Seminar, & Exhibition, will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from May 21-26, 2023. Don’t miss the leading display experts’ technical sessions, short courses, seminars, and business conference showcasing the latest technology advancements in electronic displays and imaging.

The six-day event features nearly 400 technical presentations, numerous tutorials and short courses, a seminar series, a business conference addressing the display market outlook, an Imaging and Vision Special Event, the I-Zone, and over 100 exhibitors. While you’re planning your conference schedule make sure to reserve an in-person meeting with E3 Displays Co-Founder and Executive VP, Rob Tomasek. E3 will be in meeting room #44.

E3 Displays designs and manufactures custom display, touch, and electronics solutions for its customers in the automotive, aviation, commercial, industrial, medical, and military markets, delivering high-reliability performance in the human-machine interface (HMI) function, every time and everywhere.

If you have any questions about E3 Displays and the value and solutions they provide, please contact Rob through LinkedIn to schedule a meeting at the SID Display Week 2023. Rob enjoys networking with others and will demonstrate how his resources and connections can bring value to you, your products, and your business.

Looking forward to seeing you at the Los Angeles Convention Center!

The post SID Display Week in Los Angeles appeared first on E3 Displays.

E3 Displays Screens Are Now Available In Ubiqconn’s Devices

Ray Damper — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 21:40:18 +0000

Ubiqconn Technology Inc., the manufacturer of the RuggON brand of ruggedized mobile solutions, announced that its COTS and customized RuggON devices are now also available with E3 Displays, recognized worldwide as cutting-edge sunlight-readable display solutions. The RuggON line includes rugged monitors, mobile computers, rugged tablets, and military panels.

“Today’s technology industries demand integrated flexible and at times customized solutions,” stated Tom Wang, Ubiqconn North America CEO. “Mutual beneficial partnerships are a must to achieve larger goals. Teaming with E3 Displays gives our customers access to their extensive technical and operational expertise as well a new line of COTS and custom sunlight readable displays. We are excited to work with E3 Displays and are delighted to know we provide customers additional high-quality displays.”

E3 Displays is a global design and manufacturing company that helps the world’s most innovative companies define the future of their business display needs. It offers reliable display solutions made specific to customers’ needs. E3 Displays has the cross-market expertise to serve many industries, from high-performance to cost-sensitive. These include consumer applications, digital signage, commercial, gaming, industrial, marine, avionics, medical, and military.

“Displays are a centerpiece in any hardware,” commented Chuck Rahrig, E3 Displays president and co-founder. “They allow digital products to provide a company’s important visual messages and enable their workforce to be as effective as possible. We look forward to working with Ubiqconn and supplying its RuggON line of rugged computers with displays that ensure the visual entity exceeds users’ optical and performance requirements.”

For over 10 years, Ubiqconn has been engineering, manufacturing, and marketing rugged mobile devices that feature sunlight displays and more, offering exceptional value and quality to improve user experience. Its RuggON brand can be found in such diverse industries as logistics, law enforcement, EMS, field services, and the military. It is committed to meeting higher standards to achieve customer satisfaction. Offering solutions from renowned E3 Displays continues that practice.

About Ubiqconn Technology Inc.

Ubiqconn is an innovative manufacturing company that specializes in industrial Internet of Vehicle (IoV) solutions and embedded Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. Ubiqconn is also the manufacturer of the RuggON branded line of rugged computing solutions. For Industrial IoV solutions, we continue to develop and expand the product range of logistics & transportation applications. For Embedded IoT solutions, we offer a series of low-power Systems on Modules to accomplish customization needs. Ubiqconn is a subsidiary of the FIC Group, a leader in the global high-tech design, engineering, and manufacturing for over 40 years. Given this experience, Ubiqconn’s professional team also provides high-quality assurance in ODM and OEM products. With a perfect balance between technology and application know-how, Ubiqconn can achieve the customer demand to conquer the increasing challenge in IoT. For more information, visit www.ubiqconn.com

The post E3 Displays Screens Are Now Available In Ubiqconn’s Devices appeared first on E3 Displays.

Rugged Tablets in Healthcare

E3 Displays — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 22:15:50 +0000

The significance of technology in ensuring excellent patient care and streamlining hospital operations has been huge. In healthcare environments, performance, accuracy, reliability, etc., are imperative [1]. The healthcare environment is an ecosystem with medical imaging, patient, data, etc., and the complex ecosystem needs advanced technology to run smoothly. Rugged tablets are a part of modern technology. These tablets have been great for streamlining operations in waiting rooms, hospital halls, nurse stations, etc., for documenting and communicating patient information, allowing nurses and paramedics to check patient records instantly.

What are Rugged Tablets

Rugged tablets are industrial devices in tablet forms meeting certain requirements like protection against rough and extreme environments. Rugged features give a tablet the capability of showcasing a rugged shell, withstanding high temperatures, jolts, drops, etc. These tablets often have military-grade protection certificates. Most rugged tablets support any operating system, such as Windows, Android, etc. The popularity of rugged tablets is quickly increasing.

Figure 1: Rugged tablet

Benefits of Rugged Tablets in Healthcare

The unique characteristics of rugged tablets have been very useful to the healthcare industry. Ruggedness, mobility, water resistance, removable battery facility, etc., are some of the advantages of rugged tablets.

Ruggedness

Rugged tablets usually have drop ratings for falls onto concretes from a 3-feet height, but these tablets can usually withstand drops from more than 3-feet height. A lip surrounding the front bezel and the rubber corners in a rugged tablet protect the touchscreen. In a healthcare setting or normal day-to-day use, there can be some accidental falls and drops. People never expect broken tablet computers to hold up their practices, and they don’t like to replace their tablets every year. However, some tablets with military-grade certifications have extreme ruggedness [2].

Mobility

At present, every industry likes to take the benefits of mobile computing. Rugged tablets have various sizes, but 12 inches is usually the maximum size, so they are large enough to show patient information clearly and also small enough to handle all day. It’s even possible to fit a smaller size (between 4 to 8 inches) tablet in a pocket. Special accessories like a shoulder strap, hand strap, carry handle, etc., can make these tablets even simpler to carry.

Water Resistance

In healthcare applications, a waterproof tablet provides various benefits. Waterproof, completely sealed tablets are suitable for cleaning by spraying, and users can even dunk these into disinfecting solutions. The cleaning is simpler than cleaning consumer-grade tablets because a user probably has to wipe down a consumer-grade tablet delicately along with its case. In the case of sterilizing a tablet regularly, a rugged tablet hardly shows any sign of damage and wear, but a consumer-grade tablet gets affected.

Removable Battery Facility

For continuous use, rugged tablets usually have a removable battery facility, so the user can replace a battery with a recharged one whenever he wants. Some rugged tablets also have hot-swappable batteries; it’s possible to swap the battery when a tablet is running because the tablet has a low backup power from an internal battery. These facilities save time for the users as they don’t have to pause their work to charge their tablets.

Applications of Rugged Tablets in Healthcare

Rugged tablets have given a boost to the medical sector. There have been various applications of rugged tablets in healthcare. Some of these applications are mobile imaging, practice management, medical documentation, patient education, medication orders, etc. The global market share of rugged displays was $599 million in 2017, and it’s estimated to be $946 million in 2025 [3]. The continuously increasing market share indicates the increased applications of rugged tablets.

Figure 2: Global market share of rugged displays

Mobile Imaging

The increased use of rugged tabs in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and many other healthcare facilities allows healthcare staff to access medical image copies like x-rays, ultrasounds, etc. This technology provides very quick access to various images for comparisons; therefore, multiple images are viewable side by side for appropriate treatment. Medical rugged tablets also have additional tools allowing medical staff to connect their tablets to ultrasound probes, allowing for very quick ultrasound imaging [4].

Healthcare Documentation

Patient data accuracy has improved a lot due to using tablets in the healthcare sector. The enhanced use of tablets helps the healthcare system to stay consistent and organized in different healthcare facilities. It’s beneficial to patients receiving treatments through various healthcare facilities as all the medical information and records are quickly accessible, and as a result, patient treatment becomes very quick.

Managing Healthcare Practice

Rugged tablets provide healthcare organizations easy access to in-house planning and scheduling. Scheduling staff, planning surgeries, arranging meetings, etc., are possible in a simple way; the management doesn’t need much time to handle these. This type of managing system is very convenient for healthcare professionals who have to schedule and handle patient visits, procedures with various facilities, etc. Medical billing has also been simplified; it has been accurate and timely due to the increased use of rugged tablets.

Medication Orders

Rugged tablets have simplified medication orders too. Using a tablet is very helpful for a healthcare professional to check current medications the patients are having and allergies also. However, it can be detrimental in providing healthcare treatments in emergency situations, especially when a patient’s current medications interact with the medications a healthcare professional gives. In the case of a severe injury due to an automotive accident, healthcare professionals can quickly check the patient’s medication history before providing treatment. Tablets also help to reduce errors often seen in hand-written orders.

OEM Healthcare Devices

OEM/ODM projects may take years for testing and certification. Consumer-grade tablets aren’t suitable for these projects as these tablets last for only a few years. However, rugged tablets are a perfect option for these projects. Usually, a rugged tablet can last a minimum of 5 years, and some can last for around 10 years. Being mounted onto a machine, rugged tablets can last for many years. That’s why rugged tablets are highly preferable in projects.

Patient Education

For the recovery of patients, educating them on their illness or injuries, medication types, required treatments, etc., is important. Tablets are ideal for educating patients because healthcare professionals can use resources like diagrams, online videos, animations, etc., to provide the patients with information about their injuries and illness. Proper education helps the patients to understand what’s actually happening to them. Also, the patient will get the opportunity to voice their concerns and ask questions as they have sufficient information.

Why Should You Use Rugged Tablets?

There can be so many reasons behind using rugged tablets. Cost, durability, etc., are some of the major reasons for which healthcare professionals can rely on it.

Cost

Rugged tablets may seem costly as compared to consumer-grade tablets considering the initial buying price, but the overall cost of a rugged tablet is actually lower in the long run. Unlike lower priced normal tablets, rugged tablets don’t need many repairs and replacements. Downtime costs of rugged tablets are also on the lower side. However, users can upgrade rugged tablets in the field, and these tablets are repairable with tool-less access, so maintenance costs are also low.

Durability

Consumer-grade and cheaper-priced tablets are less durable as the normal materials used in these tablets aren’t good enough to last long in hospital environments. Also, these tablets’ internal processors aren’t strong enough for functioning 24/7 in busy hospitals. However, rugged tablets are completely the opposite of these consumer-grade tablets. Rugged tablets can function well in hospital environments with high durability.

How to Choose the Right Rugged Tablet in Healthcare Applications

There are various applications of tablets in the healthcare sector. So, there should be some considerations while choosing a rugged tablet for a specific application. Medical certification, ruggedness, antibacterial housing, optical bonding, anti-glare solution, etc., are some of the major considerations [5].

Medical Certification

In the healthcare sector, a tablet should have medical certifications, which can ensure safety against electrical shocks and safety for all healthcare applications. By getting the certification, the manufacturer of a device can assure that their device can work effectively and safely without any danger, electromagnetic disturbance, etc.

Ruggedness

The tablet computer must withstand strong vibration and extreme temperature. Healthcare professionals can install a tablet anywhere, like a medical cart, inside an ambulance, operation theatre, laboratory, etc. So, it’s important that the tablet can sustain itself in any environment.

Anti-glare Solution

Healthcare applications have requirements for image quality and screen visibility. A tablet glass with an anti-glare solution on it is good in diffusing the glaring light. Therefore, it reduces its intensity and makes it very easy for the viewer to see the image correctly, and provides excellent readability at extreme angles.

Optical Bonding

For a touch screen tablet computer, optical bonding is very important. A screen with optical bonding technology has high brightness, resistance to scratches, and better clarity.

Figure 3: Optical bonding

Antibacterial Housing

Manufacturers should enhance a rugged tablet’s housing with antibacterial properties so that bacteria growth stays very low. It also helps the tablet with a proper waterproof design to have resistance against various cleaning chemicals. So, cleaning the tablet with liquids, sprays, wipes, etc., becomes possible without worrying about its internal components.

Modern technology is transforming the medical industry day by day. Tablet computers have given a new standard of convenience to healthcare professionals. They can conveniently transfer and collect data, update patient information, and check the diagnosis in real-time. The availability of rugged tablets has made the lives of healthcare professionals easier. Medical professionals should know the benefits of it and remember the considerations while choosing tablets for healthcare applications.

References

[1]	“Rugged Tablet Computers for Healthcare Applications,” Embedded Computing Design, 30 December 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.embeddedcomputing.com/application/healthcare/rugged-tablet-computers-for-healthcare-applications-2.
[2]	K. Armstrong, “How are Rugged Tablets used in Healthcare?,” Teguar, 4 November 2020. [Online]. Available: https://teguar.com/rugged-healthcare-tablet-pcs/.
[3]	[Online]. Available: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rugged-tablet-market-to-value-us-946-0-mn-at-cagr-of-5-9-by-2025–exclusive-report-by-fortune-business-insights-300857210.html.
[4]	“HOW RUGGED TABLETS ARE USED IN HEALTHCARE,” CYBERNET, 16 April 2016. [Online]. Available: https://www.cybernetman.com/blog/how-rugged-tablets-are-used-in-healthcare/.
[5]	“Rugged Tablet Computers for Healthcare Applications,” Embedded Computing Design, 30 December 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.embeddedcomputing.com/application/healthcare/rugged-tablet-computers-for-healthcare-applications-2.

The post Rugged Tablets in Healthcare appeared first on E3 Displays.

How Medical Imaging Displays Are Enabling Doctors To See What The Eyes Cannot

E3 Displays — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 21:48:27 +0000

Medical experts rely greatly on imaging technology due to the advancement of medical science. Medical experts that have access to the latest, superior, and calibrated imaging display can do more to ensure proper medical diagnosis and treatment for their patients. Medical displays allow doctors to monitor patient vitals with ease, administer life-saving medication, perform laparoscopic surgeries, and view what the human eye cannot. The development of displays like liquid crystal displays (LCDs), light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and organic LEDs (OLED) has brought highly advanced imaging displays in the medical sector.

Applications of Medical Imaging Displays

Medical displays give surgeons and other healthcare experts unparalleled resolution and image clarity. Surgical grade displays have resolutions as high as 4K, and they support many video modes. There’s a wide range of applications of medical imaging displays. Surgical medical displays are equipped with features like wide viewing angles to ensure the entire operating team can monitor the patient from around the room. Surgical displays are also equipped with anti-microbial film lamination and little to no bezel. This increases cleanability and prevents disease transmission in a highly sterile environment. It’s also common to find medical imaging displays in operating rooms that have ultrasound imaging and x-ray systems that provide accurate real-time imaging of patient internals.

Radiology needs the most precise imaging technology. Radiology and diagnostic imaging displays have a superior dynamic range (contrast), ensuring true blacks and high-quality shades of gray to reproduce color in its smallest possible variations. These displays ensure high brightness and high image uniformity to produce images for tests like x-rays and other scans.

Medical specialists need secondary displays for various functions like modality viewing, PACS (picture archiving and communication systems), quality checking, image acquisition, patient edutainment purposes, office work, etc. Primary displays conduct the bulk of work, including viewing charts and images, but the secondary displays are also useful for other works of clinical reviewing. These monitors often call for antiglare touch-glass for harsh lighting conditions. Medical grade displays for primary and secondary purposes ensure efficient IT solutions, consistency in image acquisition, interpretation QA, and superior reproductions of medical images in all steps.

COVID-19 is continuously increasing the demand for electronic medical displays as they’re helping increase efficiency, decrease disease transmission, and save patient lives.

E3 Medical Environmental Control Application

Medical environments need displays with high performance and diagnostics accuracy. A global manufacturer of products that manage environmental conditions in medical facilities required a display solution that met a robust set of specifications, including custom metal and plastic housings, the integration of a custom computing module and to be manufactured in a facility with the appropriate medical manufacturing qualifications, quality process, and maximum engineering knowledge.

The highest level of quality, tight level of manufacturing processes, and supply chain control were required along with an ability to support and produce a product that would pass medical market segment requirements. Balancing these requirements as well as component longevity against price targets added to the overall challenge.

The E3 Displays engineering team developed a display solution with the required optical specifications and custom touch panel features. Working with the customer a custom chassis and computing solution was designed that led to a complete single part number all in one solution. We co-designed stringent testing and packaging practices and the required supply chain and price point were met through the study of component partners and manufacturing processes.

Through the process, our team was able to provide a custom solution, deliver the product on time and within the project budget. Furthermore, our client success means our success and that’s why we have been able to establish and maintain multiple long-lasting relationships within the medical industry.

Medical Imaging Displays Utilizing Monochrome and Colored Images

With the improvement of medical technology, the combined use of both color and monochrome images has maximized diagnostic accuracy. Inappropriate use of grayscales can cause viewing sub-par images and potentially failing to detect diagnostic information. There’s an advanced technology that analyzes pixels of images, distinguishes color and grayscale pixels, and calibrates every pixel to a blend without any manual operation. So, medical displays can show both color and monochrome images side by side on the screen, losing no quality. Thus, the diagnostic efficiency increases.

Resistive Touch to Allow for Gloved Touch

Some medical imaging displays use resistive touch technology. The resistive touch panels are thin such that when there’s pressure on the top layer, it causes contact with the layer below. This creates a short circuit and the touch screen can detect the touch’s exact location.

One of the biggest benefits of resistive touch panels is the user’s freedom to choose most any stylus, which is used to increase the accuracy of contact and pressure to the touch panel’s top layer. Pressures activate resistive touch panels. Gloved touches, touches with bare fingers, edges of credit cards, fingernails, soft ends of pens, etc., all will work using resistive touch panels. For a medical environment, resistive displays are typically ideal for their gloved or other non-conductive touch capabilities.

Projected Capacitive Touch Displays for Harsh Environmental Conditions

PCAP technology is a capacitive technology that permits more accurate and flexible operation, projection of the touch-field through additional layers of material plus full multi-touch capability. Typical construction of a PCAP technology sensor allows for operation without direct contact with the touch sensor. Thus the touch sensor can be located behind further insulating layers, and operate even under screen protectors, or behind weather and vandal-proof glass. Due to the top surface of a PCAP being glass and not film, PCAP can be a more robust solution versus resistive touch technologies using a film front surface. PCAP touch screens have been introduced more in applications where customers require a more rugged surface due to susceptibility to scratches and mishandlings making it the new best solution for medical applications.

Figure 2: Gloved touch

Resolution

Medical-grade monitors have special designs to accommodate various resolutions, brightness levels, backlighting, etc., that are needed by particular imaging modalities. These vary from X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), etc., and there is a need for even higher levels of resolutions required by mammography.

In 2012 at the annual meeting for the Radiological Society of North America, Sony introduced their new technology known as the independent sub-pixel drive (ISD) on the LMD-DM series of high contrast, high luminance displays. Its single pixel has three independent sub-pixels to ensure a 5 MP display to have a resolution of a maximum of 15 MP and a display from 3 MP to 9 MP.

Higher screen resolution increases visible details and clarity in an image; it’s essential for accurate research and diagnosis. Modern advanced medical displays have 4K, high definition (HD), and up to 15 MP resolution screens. Typical devices have pixel pitches around 0.2 microns and array sizes of 1536 * 2048 and higher.

Anti-microbial Film Lamination

Most medical imaging displays use anti-microbial film laminations. Anti-microbial films are top-coat layers. These layers can be added to the surfaces of materials, such as adhesive materials, including tapes, labels, etc. The film has a safe and strong bacteria-preventing agent called Agion. A combination of zeolite and silver ions produces Agion. It’s a natural solution stopping the growth of harmful bacteria by hampering bacterial cell multiplication. Agion is non-toxic, safe to touch, and non-irritating. Agion is good enough to prevent the spread of biological contaminants.

Medical displays have these films on their surfaces. The use of these films on the screen ensures safety for medical experts from biological contaminants. These films have resistance against water and wash.

Optical Bonding

Optical bonding is a process that creates an optically clear bond between the display and the front glass lens or touch panel. An optically clear adhesive is used to fill the air gap between the lens and display producing an index-matched bond. This improves contrast and display viewability, reduces parallax issues, and creates a more robust display assembly required for medical applications. Optically bonded displays with an improved contrast ratio ensure low reflection and superior readability, even in harsh lighting conditions.

Figure 3: Optical bonding

Conclusion:

Medical imaging displays have become very advanced with the continuous development of display technology. So many features like high resolution, backlighting, improved touch panels, optical bonding, and anti-microbial film protection are now widely available. Medical research and diagnostic have become easier and more accurate due to the continuous development of displays. The manufacturing of medical imaging displays is increasing day by day, and the medical display market will continue to grow in the future.

The post How Medical Imaging Displays Are Enabling Doctors To See What The Eyes Cannot appeared first on E3 Displays.

How Medical Wearables are Saving Patients Lives

E3 Displays — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 17:03:11 +0000

Remote care, which became an important aspect of healthcare operations during the Coronavirus pandemic, is projected to remain a useful tool for both doctors and patients. Telehealth, on the other hand, is not behind in this. Healthcare wearables, such as smartwatches and biosensors, now allow doctors to track and manage their patients’ development from a distance. Wearables provide detailed medical information, which goes beyond traditional measures. As these devices become more sophisticated and capable of monitoring their users’ vital signs, the lines between consumer and patient are beginning to blur. Not only are digital health tracking technologies being utilized for general ‘wellness’ objectives, but also illness management – connecting people with healthcare practitioners and proactively alerting any difficulties. As one would expect, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated this trend. According to a new study by Stanford Medicine and Rock Health, the pandemic accelerated digital use, both in terms of wearables and other telemedicine tools. Mainly the electronic displays are playing a vital role in medical wearables right now.

Types of Electronic Displays in Medical Wearables

Wearable technology in healthcare refers to electronic devices that people can wear that are designed to collect data about their health and fitness. These devices can even convey a user’s health information in real-time to the user, a doctor, or other healthcare providers. Wearable demand is expected to increase in the coming years as more consumers express an interest in sharing their data with their providers and insurers. As these medical devices evolve, most include a display and touch screen for user input and interaction. These displays play a vital part in enhancing the user experience. The ideal display depends on the application’s demands and user needs. Several display types can be used – both transmissive and reflective LCD technology, memory displays, and OLEDs.

Importance of Touch Screen Functionality in Medical Wearables

Regulatory requirements are just one component for medical device manufacturers. However, incorporating emerging and constantly evolving technologies requires device manufacturers to step up their game to stay ahead of the competition. Displays are one of the ever-evolving technologies included in this medical device mix. Consumers have grown accustomed to features such as touch displays and apps in everyday gadgets such as cell phones and smartwatches, and they want the same ease and features in other medical equipment, such as ECG monitors, as well. Manufacturers may find it difficult to deliver these display elements while simultaneously adhering to the stringent regulatory regulations that apply to medical equipment. Therefore, manufacturers are now more determined to create devices with better display functionality. It is helping medical care centers in various ways, as you can check through the examples mentioned below.

Examples of Medical Wearables With Electronic Displays

Manufacturers of healthcare devices and touch screens are attempting to make the jobs of health care professionals more convenient by having devices or wearables with improved displays. Some of the next examples are already used in the market.

Smart Health Watches

Smartwatches, which were once only used to count steps and tell time, have evolved into clinically viable healthcare tools. In 2017, Apple released the Apple Heart Study app, which monitors users’ heart rhythms and alerts them if they are experiencing atrial fibrillation. In 2020, the company released the most recent Watch iteration. The Series 6 Watch from Apple includes a new blood oxygen saturation monitoring feature, native sleep tracking capabilities, a faster FDA-approved electrocardiogram sensor, and improved heart health monitoring.

Wearable Blood Pressure Monitors

HeartGuide, the first wearable blood pressure monitor, was introduced by Omron Healthcare in 2019. HeartGuide is an oscillometric blood pressure monitor that can measure blood pressure and daily activity, such as steps walked, distance traveled and calories burned. HeartGuide may store up to 100 readings in memory, and all of them can be uploaded to the HeartAdvisor mobile app for comparison, analysis, and therapy optimization. Users of HeartAdvisor can keep, track, and share their data with their doctor and receive insights into how their daily behaviors affect their blood pressure.

Medical Wearable Electronic Display Features

Antimicrobial Film Lamination

According to ISO 21702:2019, these films have antiviral characteristics. After 2 hours of exposure, the virus on the surface of the films has been reduced by 65 percent (tested on corona-virus type virus). These one-of-a-kind novel laminating films include antibacterial capabilities that target the dreaded Escherichia coli (E. Coli) bacterium as well as Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (staph infection). Some of the products also claim to have destroyed 99.9% of test bacteria that came into contact with the surface area.

Physiological Parameters

Physiological parameters focus on monitoring the normal functioning of the body and include tracking of the heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, body temperature, and respiratory rate. These parameters are critical in the assessment of the patient’s welfare. Wearable devices monitoring them are worn on the patient’s wrist. The devices work on the principle of Photoplethysmography (PPG). They feature LED optical sensors that shine a light on human skin and photodetectors to record reflected signals in the case of blood pressure and heart rate. While measuring oxygen, the devices use red and infrared sensors. Highly oxygenated blood reflects more red light signals, while low saturation is marked by more infrared light reflection. These devices have integrated algorithms to process the recorded signals to make useful interpretations about the patient’s body. The devices provide continuous real-time monitoring of the physiological parameters at a personal level. The real-time data provides critical statistics that can inform the course of action to remedy a medical situation such as an imminent heart attack. Wearable devices focusing on Physiological parameters are suitable for patients struggling with heart-related illnesses, High-blood pressure, Anemia, Acute Respiratory Distress, and Pneumonia among other diseases linked to heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate.

Provide Real-Time Assistance Based on Sent Data

Wearable devices collect, analyze and store data in real-time. The incorporation of the Internet of Things (IoT) provides for data transmission to cloud servers accessed by physicians. The real-time nature of the data invites doctors into the patients’ loop for prompt assistance when the need arises. Other than patients having the luxury of real-time attention from medics, they can benefit from data-driven alerts retrieved from medical repositories. Wearable devices could benefit patients under critical care and those struggling with lifestyle conditions like diabetes.

ECG Monitoring

Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a medical test that relies on the heart’s electrical signals to detect heart conditions. The signals are outputs from cardiac rhythms, breathing behavior, and rapid pulses. Apple pioneered the development of wearable ECGs through its smartwatch. The device is worn on the wrist and comes with an electrode that completes the chest-heart circuit. It can continuously monitor one’s heart signals and in case of any deviation from the normal, advise the wearer to visit a doctor for a full ECG. Cardiovascular patients and those living with related risks should consider having the device.

Mobile App Ecosystem

Wearables leverage the mobile app ecosystem to promote their usage convenience. Apple’s smartwatch, for instance, is part of Apple’s ecosystem. The wearer can receive a call or a message through them, much the same as they were using their mobile phones. Besides, their data can be displayed on the iPhone, Mac, or on iCloud. This boosts convenience as the user’s medical history could be preserved in the cloud for instance and that they can view these data using different platforms connected to the wearable device.

Why Are Medical Wearables Beneficial To Users?

The market size for wearable healthcare technology is growing, and more work on these technologies will give consumers and US companies improved wearable technology. According to Insider Intelligence research, users’ health and fitness applications will stay above 84 million by 2022. This upward trend in wearable fitness influences insurers, healthcare providers, and enterprises’ decisions to profit from the benefits of wearable healthcare monitors. U.S. users of wearable products increased in just four years from 9% to 33%, and this figure will continue to increase. Moreover, smarter devices under a process will certainly cultivate a healthy lifestyle culture, making it easy for users to keep track of their health.

Bottom Line

COVID-19 has forced us to find more solutions to monitor health and form a better healthcare industry for the future. The simple medical wearables save lives as doctors can now have more accurate vitals, sense the pulse, and diagnose problems faster than before. As manufacturers of these wearable devices are constantly working on their devices better, we hope to have more facilities in the healthcare industry working towards this as well. So, be it the evaluation of body movement, heart rate, blood pressure, or anything else, it is all possible with the wearables available in the market and through the ones in the process right now.

About E3 Displays

We’re a global design and manufacturing company that helps the world’s most innovative companies define the future of their business display needs. With over 20 years of combined experience in display technology, E3 Displays has everything you need to develop and manufacture your custom touch display all in one place. With customer-centric solutions featuring strategic planning, competitive pricing, longevity, and support, we ensure the best products on the market to help you scale. In the end, displays are a centerpiece in any hardware that provides a very important visual message in your product. We want to ensure that the visual entity exceeds your optical and performance requirements.

The post How Medical Wearables are Saving Patients Lives appeared first on E3 Displays.

Here’s How Medical Ventilators Are Transforming New Medical Devices and Displays

E3 Displays — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 23:46:02 +0000

With the ever-increasing concerns and pandemic potential of new and dangerous diseases, it’s critical to think about the effects of good medical equipment, especially ventilators, as they are most in demand right now. The medical-grade electronic display, for example, is a specialist improved display that not only passes tight certification criteria but also enhances the design above consumer-grade displays in order to increase safety, cleanliness, and accurate image reproduction. So, when we talk about ventilators, they have to go through the ISO 134850 certification to ensure the standard of the machine.

What is ISO 13485 certification, and why is it so important

Medical device designers and manufacturers must be aware of the stringent regulations and restrictions imposed by government officials. Medical devices are used for a wide range of purposes and can mean the difference between life and death for individuals who rely on them. The FDA in the United States controls medical devices, and firms must obtain ISO 13485 certification before designing or assembling them. Several safety requirements are included in ISO 13485 to ensure the quality and dependability of medical devices. Despite the fact that each country has its own set of requirements for medical device design and manufacture, ISO 13485 is the most widely used Quality Management System (QMS) standard for medical devices. While organizations in the United States must comply with both ISO 13485 and FDA regulations, the FDA intends to harmonize the two in the future. The FDA is designed to ensure high-quality products. This isn’t a product standard. ISO 13485, on the other hand, is a standard that is based on processes. These procedures, if followed, guarantee the accuracy of the results. ISO accreditation is given to organizations or corporations. Individuals cannot obtain ISO 13485 certification. One individual in a company, however, might be certified as an ISO 13485 Certified Lead Auditor.

Important Features of Ventilators

Sanitation

Medical monitors are designed with safety and hygiene at the forefront of the design process. These displays are frequently constructed with a flat panel design with few nooks and crevices that dirt or bacteria might hide. Most medical displays have an ingress protection rating, indicating that their shells are dirt, dust, and waterproof and may be sprayed and wiped with soap and water. Antibacterial and hydrophobic coatings are frequently applied to these displays. It makes them resistant to mold, viruses, and bacteria, as well as allows them to tolerate washing with more astringent detergents and sanitizers without being damaged.

Resolution

High-resolution medical screens allow skilled specialists to examine images in greater detail and make more accurate diagnoses. Current medical screens have resolutions of up to 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) and sometimes even 3D images. Fine details become visible on higher resolution displays, and they can be observed without having to zoom in at the expense of the overall image. In addition to resolution, a 4K medical monitor with a high PPI (Pixels Per Inch) produces clearer images when viewed on a wide panel. Medical displays with 3D capability improve the fidelity of images produced by 3D imaging medical equipment like MRIs and CT scans. The confusion that can arise while rendering and flattening a 3D image on a 2D display can be reduced by viewing these types of images on a 3D monitor. Image: For correct picture reproduction without aberration, a high PPI density is required.

High brightness

Inside medical facilities, such as an operating room, the overhead lights are frequently highly white and extra bright. As a result, glare can be an issue when ordinary consumer screens are employed. Medical monitors use high-bright LED backlights that often surpass 1000 cd/m2 (a standard consumer display, such as a TV, is often limited to 500 cd/m2). A high-brightness medical display allows the projected images to cut through the glare of ambient light. If properly calibrated to DICOM calibration standards, a high-bright medical display will output a wider spectrum of greyscales, resulting in even better image quality.

Gloved touch & Resistive Display

Medical practitioners, for example, require the ability to use gloves at any time. They should be able to operate the touch panel even if their hands or the screen are wet, as the panel’s reaction should not be impaired. Another condition that isn’t immediately obvious but is equally crucial. Electro-Magnetic Interference is an example of this (EMI). You wouldn’t want any tampering with medical equipment, especially life-saving devices. As a result, EMI should not be emitted by a medical device. The International Electrotechnical Commission established EMI/EMC standards for medical electrical devices as a result of this. PCAP touch panels, for example, may appear to be the perfect fit because they are utilized in today’s most popular consumer gadgets. PCAP touch panels, on the other hand, emit and are disturbed by EMI, necessitating complicated tuning to meet EMI requirements. Resistive panels, on the other hand, emit very little EMI and are not EMI sensitive. Resistive panels are far more suited to medical devices than PCAP in this regard. However, this isn’t the sole benefit. Gloves or water drops do not affect resistive touch panels since they respond to finger pressure. There is no need to compromise because they will work in any situation. On the other hand, Capacitive panels must be calibrated to receive glove input, which can make them highly sensitive to the point where they can detect a bare finger before it touches the screen – making it more likely for incorrect inputs to occur. To deal with liquid drops on their surface, PCAP panels need to be tuned specifically. Moreover, the latest touch panels combine the benefits of resistive and capacitive touch screens in medical applications, with no tuning required.

Medical ventilators with LCD touch displays

The ability to see the patient’s vital parameters in real-time has become an integral part of any medical treatment. As a result, many medical instruments now have LCD screens to make it easier to see the information. Among these, ventilators are prominent. Pressure and flow tracings are all produced by these devices. These figures are displayed on the screen in real-time. The clinical staff that handles this equipment must locate the settings, set the parameters based on the patient’s condition, and regularly check the readings, all of which are done using LCD screens. The three types of displays found in most ventilators are LCDs, OLEDs, and TFTs with touch panels.

So, what is TFT?

TFT

The Thin Film Transistor (TFT) LCD module is also known as Active Matrix TFT LCD module. An array of thin-film transistors are formed on the glass in these displays. Each pixel on the LCD monitor corresponds to each transistor on display. These displays provide vivid, complex images and are tiny and light, making them ideal for use in ventilators and other medical devices.

Touch screen remote controllers for ventilators

A team of Johns Hopkins University of Medicine experts has developed a robotic device that will allow medical personnel to remotely handle ventilators and other bedside machines in patients with infectious diseases such as COVID-19 from outside the intensive care units. Initial trials—including one recently covered by NBC Nightly News—have shown how the system may be used to help hospitals conserve protective gear, limit staff exposure to COVID-19, and offer more time for clinical work. The need was found during March brainstorming sessions conducted by computer scientist Gregory Hager, director of the Malone Center for Engineering in Healthcare, which comprised robotics researchers and medical professionals from Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland. Testing patients, disinfecting and cleaning, and operating ventilators in ICU rooms were all identified as bottlenecks in delivering care that could benefit from robotic solutions. The pandemic resulted in an influx of extremely contagious intensive care patients who required ventilators, infusion pumps, and other specialized medical equipment. Even for small modifications to machinery, medical employees must put on and take off protective gear every time they enter and leave rooms when treating such patients. Personal protective equipment is depleted as a result of the process. It also wastes time and resources because the practice necessitates the assistance of a second person to assist with the change of gowns, gloves, masks, and other protective gear. Inside a room, routine modifications usually take only a few minutes. However, according to Jonathan Cope, a respiratory therapist who collaborated with the study, putting on and removing gear added six minutes to the process. He claims that doing it ten times in a single shift wastes an hour that could have been spent on patient care. “For our frontline clinicians, this remote-control device will be a force multiplier,” Cope added. “Being able to save time in order to provide more treatment to more patients will pay significant dividends when we face massive patient surges during pandemics,” says the researcher. Although the technology may not be completed in time to aid in the fight against COVID-19, it will be valuable in the fight against other infectious diseases. According to a patent application filed through Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures, “it is immediately obvious that the necessity for such remote operating capabilities is not confined to one single disease epidemic, such as COVID-19.” A horizontal bar is placed across the upper edge of the ventilator’s screen to secure the robotic gadget. The bar acts as a stationary track for two thin vertical bars that extend the whole height of the screen to move back and forth. The operator’s tablet receives an image of the screen from a camera attached to the top bar. According to commands, a stylus it carries travels up and down —making when the vertical bars sweep across the screen, similar to how an Etch a Sketch’s sketching tool is controlled across an X-Y axis.

Bottom Line

Strict certifications, unique calibrations, sanitization and ingress protection, simplicity of access and compatibility, and high brightness and contrast combine to create a monitor that is ideal for usage in life-saving situations. Medical monitors are widely utilized in the healthcare industry, whether by healthcare professionals or patients. The capabilities of the monitors required to display imaging techniques will only improve as imaging techniques evolve.

The post Here’s How Medical Ventilators Are Transforming New Medical Devices and Displays appeared first on E3 Displays.

The Largest MedTech Expo for Suppliers and Buyers Is Back: Here’s What To Expect

E3 Displays — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 16:37:51 +0000

“From 3D printing and biomaterials to robotics and digital health, MD&M West is the largest MedTech expo for suppliers and buyers to discover innovation, engineer new technology, and build life-changing medical devices” (MD&M West). The world is opening up again, which means trade shows are coming back! The Medical Device and Manufacturing (MD&M) West will be held once again in Anaheim, California, August 10-12. MD&M West will showcase the latest medical products, technology, and solutions from more than 1,400 suppliers. Event-goers will also have the opportunity to gain exclusive access to eight different tracks discussing MedTech topics like digital health and IVD product development, regulatory & quality compliance, 3D printing, smart manufacturing, and view on-demand conference content. In total, this event will bring together 70 countries and 13,000 attendees all on a 300,000 square foot show floor.

According to Forbes magazine, although digital trade show attendee engagement was inferior to live events, many companies’ sales were unaffected by their absence from trade shows during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, that does not mean the return of trade shows will be deemed invaluable. Forbes magazine also said, “Trade show participation drives sales in three ways: continued sales to existing customers, sales to new buyers dissatisfied with their current providers, and buyers attracted to a new offering.” Besides creating various sales opportunities, MD&M West can also provide the following benefits:

– An opportunity to meet with multiple clients face-to-face, some for the first time in over a year
– An opportunity to hear from experts about new and evolving medical technology in order to improve on existing products and practices
– Connecting with medical manufacturers and suppliers to increase efficiency and become more competitive in your industry
– Show off new products (including updates of old products) to buyers who may be unaware of the value, purpose, or product itself.

MD&M West will bring together buyers, engineers, and manufacturers that can network and share ideas on innovative solutions for medical devices. E3D will be able to share its value when it comes to electronic displays with attendees. Electronic displays for medical devices play an integral part in displaying vital information for doctors, nurses, and patients while helping save patient lives and improve recovery times.

For example, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, medical ventilators were in high demand and were being relied on to help millions of people across the world. Most modern ventilators contain an LCD display for patient vitals and ventilator controls. TFT LCDs helped accurately display information so medical teams could make informed decisions regarding patient care. They helped increase medical team efficiency and save space in already crowded ERs and ICUs. TFT displays also allow ventilators to be more hygienic due to their flush design and elimination of buttons and dials where bacteria could harbor.

There are numerous ways innovative displays are transforming the healthcare industry. E3D medical displays can help improve performance, accuracy, and efficiency. Our innovative solutions provide impact resistance and safety enhancements to deliver the best patient care. All of our displays are designed for longevity and provide high-reliability touch screens for all medical use cases. Our elite team will assist in developing a high-performance display solution that can easily integrate into an existing application or we can aid in the design of a completely new concept.

Start planning your MD&M West Experience now by using the MD&M West MyShowPlanner to schedule out what educational sessions or keynote speakers you would like to see. The conference will be hosting 165 different executives from around the world from some of the most well-known medical and engineering companies. While you’re planning your conference schedule make sure to schedule a one-on-one, in-person, meeting with E3 Displays Co-Founder and Executive Vice President, Rob Tomasek.

If you have any questions about E3 Displays and the value they can provide your company, please contact Rob through LinkedIn to schedule a meet at the event. Rob loves networking with others and would like to see how his resources and connections can add value to you and your business.

MD&M West will be a great kickoff to the technology expos post-COVID. Many businesses will benefit from the event itself as well as the opportunities that come with industry conferences. COVID-19 will still be at the forefront of people’s minds and many safety measures will be in place that allows people to connect and network safely. E3 Displays will bring high value and extensive experience in the medical display space.

Although trade shows are coming back, MD&M West still understands the importance of COVID-19 safety. MD&M West is partnered with Informa AllSecure to provide everyone with reassurance and confidence that they are participating in a safe and controlled environment. Some of the safety measures MD&M has put in place include:

– Face coverings (*may be required)
– Temperature Screenings
– Increased Medical Staff
– Additional Hand Sanitizing Stations
– Contactless Registration
– Increased Convention Center Cleaning
– Maintain Density of Participants
– Food and Beverage vendor safety

The post The Largest MedTech Expo for Suppliers and Buyers Is Back: Here’s What To Expect appeared first on E3 Displays.

Why a Touch Screen LCD Display is the Best for Ventilators

E3 Displays — Mon, 25 May 2020 22:23:56 +0000

Our health-care heroes work tirelessly every day to save the lives of those we love and require tools that are reliable, durable, and performance-ready. One of the life-saving tools that are being used in the medical field is a respiratory ventilator. Ventilators are essential for critically-ill patients with various respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. The best way to ensure that they will continuously perform with maximum potential is by manufacturing them with a TFT LCD touch display module. We will go over what ventilators are, how a TFT LCD can assist this machine, and why it is the best choice for ventilator displays.

What is a Ventilator?

Ventilators help doctors and nurses save lives throughout the medical field. These machines help critical care patients breathe by circulating breathable air through a patient’s lungs.

Ventilators help patients with medical conditions that impact their normal lung function, including:

1.) Respiratory illnesses, including, flu, pneumonia, and COVID-19

2.) Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

3.) Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

4.) Asthma

5.) Lung cancer

6.) Stroke

7.) Injuries to the brain

8.) Muscle/nerve damage in relation to breathing

9.) Drug overdose

Patients with the above medical conditions either rely on the ventilator partially or fully to assist them with breathing. Ventilators can also be used in operating rooms for patients under general anesthesia and with premature babies whose lungs have yet to fully develop.

What makes up a Ventilator?

Ventilators are various parts that all work together harmoniously in a well-oiled machine to provide life-saving care. Not every manufacturer makes their ventilators the same and there are pros and cons to each one but there are general parts that are common amongst all ventilators, regardless of who creates it.

1.) Touch screen LCD display for patient vitals and ventilator controls

2.) Compressible air reservoir

3.) Tubes and valves set

4.) Air and oxygen supplies

5.) Disposable or reusable patient circuit plastic tube set

6.) Alarms, oxygen tanks, power back-ups (i.e. batteries)

7.) Safety valves

8.) Pneumatic system or electronic turbo pump

Ventilator machines are in the business of saving lives and need to be reliable with zero failure. We at E3 Displays, focus on putting the patient first and manufacture TFT LCDs for ventilators that uphold the most rigorous testing and ISO 13485 standards. We manufacture displays that are built to save lives and built to last.

Why a TFT LCD is the Best Choice

Modern medicine is continuously evolving and growing which is why, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as of 2017, the average life expectancy in the United States is 78.6 years. Today’s medical tools are commonly equipped with TFT touch LCD displays to provide more control and simplify patient care.

Here is why touch screen displays are the best choice for respiratory ventilators:

1.) Accuracy

TFT color LCDs accurately display patient vitals and ventilator settings allowing a patient’s medical team to make informed decisions regarding patient care. This is made possible through TFT-LCD technology that emits high-resolution imagery which is important in an essential life-saving machine.

2.) Ease of Use

Touch screens provide efficient versatility with ease of use. Before touch screens, machines harbored an abundance of buttons and dials that made them complicated and bulky which took up valuable patient room space. Touch screens have made it easier to check patient vitals, adjust settings, and silence alarms.

A TFT-LCD is much more efficient and has built-in security features to prevent accidental touch and altercation of ventilator settings.

3.) Hygienic, helping to limit the spread of diseases

How many times a day do you touch door handles, shopping carts, your face, and then your phone all without washing your hands in between? People have become more conscious of these things in the world of coronavirus, but it can still be a challenge to completely eliminate cross-contamination.

Medical displays are the most likely to be contaminated with bacteria and pathogens both on the surface and within the display module. Therefore, they need to be able to withstand rigorous cleaning and disinfecting with harsh chemicals. Here at E3 Displays, we’ve created a medical-grade TFT display for ventilators that can withstand these requirements due to its flush design and elimination of buttons and dials that create hard to reach places for chemicals and nesting spaces for harmful bacteria. A TFT touch LCD makes ventilator cleaning easier and protects already vulnerable patients.

4.) Multifunctional

A TFT LCD touch display can contain more features in a confined space due to the decreased need for buttons and knobs. The display is multi-functional and can not only control the ventilator but display patient information and vitals at the same time.

5.) Portability

Respiratory machines are notoriously heavy and bulky making them an unavoidable nuisance and mobility inhibitor for patients and doctors. Equipping a ventilator with a TFT LCD display can streamline the machine design and make it more portable.

TFT modules are thin-film transistors that make the ventilator screen thin and lightweight, therefore enabling an in-room ventilator to become more portable and less bulky or making it ideal for already portable devices commonly found on emergency vehicles.

Capacitive Touch and Ventilators

There are various types of touch technologies used among ventilator screens, with capacitive touch being the most common. You might be thinking, “There are different types of touch?”. Well, when it comes to touch screens, they all perceive and process your touch differently. Let us explain.

What is a Capacitive Touch Screen?

Capacitive touch screens are the most common, especially in the medical field and therefore, ventilators. Electric charges from human touch travel through the surface of the screen, disrupting the screen’s electrostatic field and triggering the device’s reaction to said touch.

Capacitive touch screens are unique in that they can only be controlled by human contact or corresponding stylus pen.

What is IN a Capacitive Touch Screen?

TFT capacitive LCD touch screens are comprised of:

1.) Glass insulator

2.) Transparent conductor coating

3.) Microchip controller

4.) CMOS digital signal processor

5.) Backside glass with mounting adhesive

6.) These layers are typically topped with a protective glass.

What is a Projective Capacitive Touchscreen?

Projective Capacitive Touchscreens (PCT) are a type of capacitive technology that uses advanced touch sensors to expand its touch capabilities.

What makes a PCT unique in structure is a transparent electrode film and integrated circuit chip that create a three-dimensional electrostatic field. This produces a more sensitive and reactive touch display with the ability to:

1.) Activate multi-touch features

2.) React to surgical gloves

3.) Prolong durability

Here at E3 Displays, our preferred touch technology for ventilator displays is a TFT LCD projective capacitive display module.

How Does a Capacitive Touchscreen Benefit Ventilator Displays?

1. ) Clarity

Capacitive displays provide some of the clearest images when compared to other touch technology. Resistive technology is designed with the image display directly behind the protective glass layer which is not ideal for medical displays where image accuracy is vital for saving a critically-ill patient.

Utilizing capacitive touch in ventilator displays provides astounding clarity and visibility to enable medical teams to accurately monitor patient vitals and make informed decisions towards patient care.

2.) Ease of Use

Capacitive touch screens do not require pressure to sense touches, therefore, making it easier to use in fast-paced environments in the medical field. Light touches are all it takes to operate the ventilator, increasing operational efficiency. Projective capacitive touch screens are also glove-friendly making it ideal for medical displays.

3.) Durability

Capacitive touchscreens are ideal for ventilators because of their resistance to liquids, surface contaminants, cleaning chemical tolerance, and overall durability. It is important to note that TFT displays are not indestructible so it’s important to still care for the display like a long term investment by following all manufacturer guidelines in order to get the maximum performance and durability.

Conclusion

Hopefully you now know more about how a ventilator operates, the benefits of touchscreen display modules for ventilators, the different types of touch technology, and why projective capacitive is the best choice. TFT projective capacitive touchscreen LCDs from E3 Displays are the best for ventilators because they simplify the user experience, are easy to clean, lightweight, and allow the machine to be portable. They also create the sharpest and most accurate imaging.

Touch screens, in general, are beneficial for ventilators because they provide:

1.) Multi-function

2.) High image quality

3.) Durability

4.) Ease of use

Ventilators are in increasing demand and are being relied on to change the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are a manufacturer looking to enhance your respiratory ventilators, put your trust in E3 Displays to create a reliable, accurate, and durable high-quality TFT touchscreen to help you be a part of saving lives and changing medicine.

About E3 Displays:

You are in the business of saving lives and E3 Displays is in the business of making sure you have the necessary tools to do so. E3 Displays is trusted by the most elite medical professionals around the world to create innovative medical displays and has over a combined 20 years of experience, ORION certification, as well as ISO 9001:2015 and 13485 standards. E3’s innovative solutions provide impact resistance and safety enhancements to deliver the best patient care. E3 displays are designed for longevity and provide high-reliability touch screens for all medical use cases while improving performance, accuracy, and efficiency. We have extensive experience in creating medical display solutions that meet optical specifications and custom touch panel features with custom chassis and computing solutions. At E3 Displays, we can help you create the next medical display innovation.

The post Why a Touch Screen LCD Display is the Best for Ventilators appeared first on E3 Displays.

How Telehealth And Medical Displays Are Working Together To Change Medicine

E3 Displays — Fri, 01 May 2020 14:13:51 +0000

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth was making appearances throughout the healthcare industry, but due to pushback from certain healthcare providers and lack of urgent need, it was never widely accepted, until now. As the pandemic rapidly spread across the world, medical display companies were in a race to increase the safety and patient experience of the medical field through innovative display solutions. Family physicians and therapists were among the many providers to switch to virtual appointments, but there was still a need to fill the gap for the most in-demand and high-risk medical centers in America, hospitals and senior living facilities. This is where PDi Communication System, Inc. (“PDi), one of the oldest and largest medical TV design and manufacturing companies, combined forces with Nautilus Medical, a leading telehealth solutions company, to create the most simple and safest telehealth solution for patient and healthcare providers. They created the PDi medTab Telehealth Cart equipped with the Teleray video call system where patients could virtually meet with their healthcare team via a built-in camera and microphone. PDi and Nautilus had to address three main concerns from healthcare facilities that they face when choosing a tablet device: sanitation, security, and power.

Medical Displays and Preventing the Spread of Diseases

Any medical display needs to be able to withstand the constant application of harsh chemicals and is usually designed with antibacterial and hydrophobic films that do not diminish the touchscreen experience. Medical displays typically have a flat panel design to prevent germs and bacteria from settling inside hard to reach areas and often have an ingress protection rating demonstrating that the display is dirt, dust, and waterproof. This enables the medical displays to be cleaned with soap, water, and harsh chemicals that are required by medical sanitation standards without being damaged. These features are not found in traditional consumer or commercial tablets and are not equipped to withstand the demands of healthcare settings.

Confidentiality is also a major concern in the healthcare industry. Patients have expressed concerns over virtual appointments being recorded or devices retaining information. The Teleray video call system is HIPPA-compliant and the PDi medTab has an integrated auto-wipe feature that erases confidential patient information so you and your patients can continue to provide and receive the same level of confidential care.

Secure and Accessible Solutions

Security extends beyond patient information. Handheld patient tablets can easily be thrown out in bedsheets by cleaning staff, dropped, damaged, and stolen. When a patient has a handheld display they are likely to be constantly looking down which can cause neck, back, and eye strain, and having to hold the tablet prevents the use of their hands for other tasks like eating or being readily available for nurses to collect samples and perform testing. A wall-mounted medical display has easily adjustable angles and heights tailored to the patient for the most comfortable viewing experience and decreases the likelihood of the display being lost, damaged, or stolen. The PDi medTab has the ability to be installed on a transportable cart to be easily moved from room to room, or it can be installed on an adjustable wall mounted arm to bring the experience to every patient. Not all patients are found in a hospital, doctor’s office, or care facility. Some patients are immobile and benefit from in-home care. This is why the PDi medTab is available to individual consumers. Enabling your medical display to be available not only in bulk to medical facilities but also to individual consumers through certified retailers, allows for a broader brand reach and having a greater positive impact in the medical field.

Traditional consumer and commercial devices that doctors and patients use to conduct telehealth appointments over various video conferencing apps, not only don’t provide the same sanitation and security features but in most cases have limited battery life. They are generally anticipated to only be used by one person for a short period of time which makes them less than ideal for a healthcare facility where displays are used around the clock by an entire staff and multiple patients. The PDi medTab has internal cable management and operates on a plug-in power supply so there’s never a re-charging concern. Medical displays also have the capability to provide sharper imagery and higher 4K resolution. Medical displays with a high PPI and 4K resolution (3840 x 2160) provide the sharpest and most realistic view for medical professionals who have to view rashes, lesions, or incision sites during a virtual appointment. This enables a medical care provider to give more accurate diagnoses over a virtual appointment.

Benefits to Doctors and Patients

Medical displays are changing the way we do medicine for the better. They are increasing possibilities and flexibility for both doctors and patients. Besides technological features, there are many physical and emotional features that they possess as well. The main benefit of having a telehealth communication system is limiting exposure to infectious diseases beyond COVID-19. Doctors have the ability to pre-screen patients or do routine check-ups before the patient ever sets foot in the office. If the patient is sick or at risk of contracting a highly contagious disease, telehealth can assist in controlling the spread. Doctors also don’t have to suit up in full PPE to see a patient which can sometimes cause patient anxiety and shortages in PPE when doctors need it most.

The PDi medTab with Teleray software enables patients to not only meet with their doctors and nurses virtually but with their families and friends as well. We have learned that although social distancing is necessary in some cases, it can tend to make people feel lonely, depressed, and anxious. When a physically ill patient also has low mental morale, studies have shown that it actually increases the patient’s recovery time. The PDi medTab with Teleray has a simple user experience that also comes equipped with TV channels, games, news, internet access, and even relaxation sounds to improve overall patient satisfaction. Telehealth can also help patients save on transportation and child care costs because they are not having to go to a physical doctor’s office.

Telehealth Vs. Traditional Medicine

It is important to note that although telehealth might be ideal today and can be beneficial for certain situations in the future, it should never completely replace traditional medicine. Telehealth comes with diagnostic limitations that require sound or touch. A full physical evaluation of a patient is sometimes vital to accurately diagnosing a patient and that is something telemedicine will never be able to completely replace. It is also important for patients and medical providers to form long term relationships. There are security and comfort in a doctor-patient relationship where the doctor knows more than what meets the eye about their patient, such as; social environment, financial status, general lifestyle, and prior health conditions, all of which can contribute to new underlying health conditions that providers who don’t have that connection with their patient might not know about. There are many new and emerging telehealth platforms but their main focus is on speed and convenience, sometimes connecting patients with the next available provider. So for telehealth to be the most effective and have widespread adoption after coronavirus, it’s important that doctors do not convert to entirely virtual practice and instead use it as a supplement to the great care that they already provide.

Conclusion

Telehealth and medical displays are making industry-changing impacts in the medical field, both together and on their own. Together they are increasing the overall patient experience. Telehealth is limiting the spread of infectious diseases and medical displays are providing safe and efficient tools for healthcare professionals to continue to provide world-class care. Whether you provide software for patients to view their records, relax, and communicate with their health team or you provide the tools for doctors, nurses, and patients to interact, save lives, and be the healthiest version of themselves, it is important to keep in mind the three main objectives that every medical solution should fulfill: sanitation, security, and power.

About E3 Displays

You are in the business of saving lives and E3 Displays is in the business of making sure you have the necessary tools to do so. E3 Displays is trusted by the most elite medical professionals around the world to create innovative medical displays and has over a combined 20 years of experience, ORION certification, as well as ISO 9001:2015 and 13485 standards. E3’s innovative solutions provide impact resistance and safety enhancements to deliver the best patient care. E3 displays are designed for longevity and provide high-reliability touch screens for all medical use cases while improving performance, accuracy and efficiency. We have extensive experience in creating medical display solutions that meet optical specifications and custom touch panel features with custom chassis and computing solutions. At E3 Displays, we can help you create the next medical display innovation.

The post How Telehealth And Medical Displays Are Working Together To Change Medicine appeared first on E3 Displays.