The medical device industry is as challenging as they come.
First and foremost the product you are designing needs to perform. Often with new technologies engineered to solve new challenges. FDA compliance issues abound, from initial documentation and design drawings to prototype testing and final approval. Every part, every component, needs to be identified and tracked. And, of course, the device needs to be manufacturable, serviceable, and profitable.
With all these demands, it’s easy to see why selecting the exemplary user interface for your medical device might seem like the least of your worries. But remember to consider the value of this component to the end user and, ultimately, to the patients. They will benefit from the work your product will do.
At Woodrow, we specialize in user interfaces, graphic overlays, and labels. Our partners rely on our expertise to help address this vital issue. Regarding medical devices, we understand the unique demands of a membrane switch. We can help you select the right features for your product.
Some of the critical areas you need to consider for your medical device membrane switch include the following.
Durable Materials
Medical devices need to last. Hospital and health clinic budgets are under constant scrutiny and pressure. That investment must pay off when they invest in a new product line. For membrane switches, we support this requirement with durable materials that can resist high-volume actuations and surface wear and constant cleaning with chemicals and solvents. Textured polyester graphic overlays with subsurface control graphics work well in medical device applications.
Antimicrobial Properties
In many medical environments, patients are particularly vulnerable, and cleaning regimens alone aren’t enough to reduce the impact of infectious agents. Fortunately, there are new generations of plastics available. These materials have been specially designed for hospitals and similar environments and feature chemistries that make them resistant to bacteria, viruses, and other dangerous microbes.
Standard Controls
We’ve found it preferable to stick with standard or previously approved designs to improve usability. By presenting controls that medical personnel are already used to, we can help them avoid potentially dangerous operational mistakes.
For new products and new user interface designs, we typically develop fully functional prototypes for usability testing, allowing engineers to assess the true impact of the control units they are proposing.
Clear Feedback
Just as important as the design and layout of the controls is the tactile and visual feedback provided by the medical device. Indicator lights, LED screens, and embossed and domed actuators all contribute to this element of the user interface design.
We recently completed a membrane switch that featured a fully sealed silicone rubber keypad covered by a durable polyester overlay. This custom-molded silicone membrane layer helped enhance the tactile feedback of the switch and, at the same, improved the intensity and uniformity of the backlighting.
Visual Impact
The design of the user interface can also have a powerful impact on both your brand and the buying cycle. While functionality is paramount, buyers and recommenders can still be influenced by impactful visuals, compelling graphics, and a premium high-tech look.
For example, we can help you implement the ideal mix of textures, finishes, and colors. You can stay on-brand, on-market, and project exactly the image you require. Digital printing offers additional, highly cost-effective design options, as we can print accurate photographic images and create nearly any look.
Manufacturing Quality
By their very nature, medical devices are operating in potentially life-impacting situations. This means they must be 100% reliable. At 99.9% reliability, 20,000 incorrect drug prescriptions will be written yearly, and 291 pacemaker operations will be performed incorrectly.*
We have much experience with this requirement. We specify quality components, follow strict process control procedures, perform rigorous testing, and adhere to the highest manufacturing standards to ensure the membrane switch assemblies in your devices deliver the high level of reliability this market demands.
These are just a few considerations regarding membrane switches for medical devices. As with all your device’s components, a clear understanding of your product’s overall user requirements will help drive the right design for the user interface.
We here at Woodrow can help ensure the design is optimized for your needs. You get an exemplary user interface for your medical device product!
