Touch Technology in Healthcare

RDS is a leading provider of touch technology for medical devices. Our touch products are highly regarded by many international medical equipment manufacturers for meeting their unique specification requirements. Medical devices are generally classified into three levels: Class I Devices: low-risk (e.g., patient monitors, registration systems), Class II Devices: moderate-risk (e.g., ECG machines, ultrasound diagnostic devices), Class III Devices: high-risk (e.g., electrosurgical pens, life support systems).  RDS touch solutions are known for superior noise immunity, support for multi-layer medical glove operation, waterproof functionality against liquids or gels, and user-friendly touch control utility. Here are a few solutions that we have recently been involved with.

Electrosurgical Pen Device

In this case, We worked with a well-known American medical technology company to resolve issues with their PCAP touch products used in a surgical suction and electrosurgical pen device. The electrosurgical pen was causing high-frequency noise that interfered with the PCAP touch panel, leading to false touches and erratic behaviour. RDS recommended that the customer use a PenMount controller from AMT with their PCIUtility, allowing them to remotely scan noise test results. After identifying the noise source, AMT implemented a new firmware algorithm with enhanced frequency hopping mechanisms and a newly designed COF controller to successfully resolve the customer’s issues, ensuring that the device operates normally in high-frequency noise environments.

Patient Monitoring System

This case involves a 10.1-inch touch computer for a patient monitoring system, focusing on robust noise immunity and water resistance. Using AMT’s PCAP solution, featuring ESD and EMC protection designs that comply with IEC 61000 testing standards, meeting medical safety regulations. Additionally, in medical environments frequently exposed to saline solutions, it underwent stringent tests to ensure reliability, preventing false touches when sprayed with saline. AMT’s PCAP solution passed all tests, demonstrating the high durability and reliability of our products. Since the customer requested a touch display module, we also provided optical bonding services, offering a convenient one-stop solution.

Surgical Equipment

The customer is a European company specializing in endoscopic visualization systems. The product in this case is a Medical Endoscopy system used for visualizing brain surgery. It features an optically bonded circular PCAP control panel of a surgical robotic arm used during brain surgery. The project faced challenges due to limited mechanical space, leading to the integration of display and touch controllers into a single-board solution. AMT also customized and fine-tuned firmware for the PCAP controller and LCD controller to be used for the circular display. Special attention was given to the product’s use in surgical environments, where equipment must be covered with drapes and operated through multiple layers of gloves. Adapting the controller firmware to enhance touch sensitivity and responsiveness, and ensuring reliable operation under these conditions, are crucial for the project’s success. The project aimed to deliver a robust, user-friendly interface essential for precise surgical procedures.

AMT’s PCAP touch products meet the IEC 60601-1-2 medical safety standard and we have obtained ISO 13485:2016 certification for medical device quality management systems. This ensures that the manufacturing, assembly, and sales of AMT’s medical touch solutions comply with regulations, enhancing efficiency and quality control, and providing customers with safe and reliable medical touch products.

RDS has been working with AMT for many years to provide high quality touch solutions for industrial applications and especially medical applications. Fell free to give us a call to discuss your next project. 01959 563 345

For more information on Touch Technology in Healthcare talk to RDS (Review Display Systems Ltd)