How to choose the most suitable LCD screen and touch screen for medical devices?

In the research and development and manufacturing of medical devices, screen selection is a crucial step. It directly impacts not only the display quality, user experience, and satisfaction, but also the device’s reliability, certification cycle, long-term maintenance costs, and safety in clinical use.

Unlike consumer electronics, medical devices have far more stringent requirements for their screens. This article will delve into the key factors in selecting medical device screens from multiple perspectives to help you make a more scientific and rational choice.

Why is screen selection so important for medical devices?

Medical devices typically require high-precision, high-stability image output, especially in diagnostic equipment such as ultrasound machines and endoscopic monitors. The screen’s resolution, contrast ratio, and brightness directly determine whether doctors can accurately diagnose a patient’s condition.

Furthermore, medical devices must pass a series of rigorous industry standard certifications. As a key component, the screen’s materials, electrostatic discharge protection, and environmental adaptability all affect the entire certification process.

Once certified and on the market, replacing the screen may mean going through the complex certification process again, resulting in significant time and financial losses.

LCD Screen Brand Selection

If your budget allows, prioritize Japanese and Taiwanese brands such as AUO and Innolux, which excel in stability and supply reliability.

If your budget is limited, consider domestic brands or assembled screens, such as BOE and Tianma. While these brands are more affordable, they offer comparable performance and can be used as long as they meet medical standards.

Regardless of the brand chosen, ensure it meets the relevant medical industry certification requirements.

Screen Supply Lifespan
Medical device development cycles are generally long, typically 1-3 years, and the certification process is complex. Therefore, when selecting a screen, choose a model or manufacturer with a supply cycle of 3-5 years or more to avoid the risk of replacement due to later shortages.

A screen model with an unreliable supply may force project shutdowns or redesigns, resulting in losses far exceeding initial cost savings.

Contrast Ratio and Display Performance
For Class III medical devices, such as diagnostic equipment, screen contrast ratio is particularly important. High contrast helps improve image detail, allowing doctors to quickly identify lesions and improve diagnostic accuracy.

In addition, response time, color depth, and HDR support should be comprehensively evaluated based on the specific device type.

Electrostatic Discharge Protection and Reliability Verification: Medical device operating environments may contain significant electrostatic interference. Therefore, the screen’s anti-electrostatic discharge (ESD) capability should be assessed during the screen selection phase, confirming its potential to pass EMC, ESD, and other related tests.

The screen’s reliability not only affects the device’s lifespan but also directly determines whether the product can successfully pass various certifications.

Touchscreen Type and Surface Treatment

If the device is equipped with touch functionality, the following two aspects should be considered:

Touchscreen Type Selection
Resistive touchscreens are suitable for operation with gloves and in humid environments, and are relatively inexpensive, but their sensitivity is generally lower; capacitive touchscreens support multi-touch and have a fast response time, making them suitable for high-end devices, but their sensitivity is poor when operated with wet hands or gloves.

Anti-Glare (AG) Treatment
The touchscreen surface should be treated with an anti-glare (AG) coating to reduce ambient light reflection and improve visibility, especially suitable for brightly lit environments such as operating rooms and ICUs.

Recommended Screens for Different Medical Devices

Different medical devices have significantly different requirements for screens and touchscreens. Here are some recommendations for common device types:

Monitors are best suited to screens with medium to high brightness, wide viewing angles, and good color reproduction. Resistive or capacitive touchscreens are both suitable.

Ultrasound equipment requires high contrast and high resolution. Capacitive screens with AG (Anti-Glare) treatment are recommended to ensure clear, glare-free images.

Endoscopic monitors have extremely high requirements for latency and image quality. Professional-grade capacitive screens supporting HDR and low-latency output are recommended.

Portable diagnostic devices should choose high-brightness, low-power, and slim screens. Resistive or custom capacitive screens can be flexibly selected depending on the operating method.

Surgical navigation systems have higher requirements for screen durability and environmental adaptability. Capacitive screens with antibacterial coatings, high brightness, and high IP protection ratings are recommended, along with AG treatment.

Four Core Principles for Selecting Medical Device Screens

In the actual selection process, it is recommended to follow these four core principles:

First, balance budget and reliability. Within the budget, prioritize screen solutions from reliable brands with stable supply.

Second, focus on key performance indicators, paying particular attention to parameters such as contrast ratio, brightness, and response time, which directly affect medical judgment.

Third, implement proactive risk control by assessing the screen’s ESD protection capabilities and certification compatibility in advance to reduce the risk of later modifications.

Fourth, match the usage scenario by selecting the appropriate touch type and surface treatment method based on the device’s operating environment (whether gloves are worn, whether it is humid, whether frequent disinfection is required).

Special Reminder: Supply cycle is crucial to the success of medical projects!

We reiterate that choosing a screen model with an unreliable long-term supply chain could force subsequent projects to halt production or require redesign, resulting in losses far outweighing initial cost savings. Therefore, when selecting a screen, it is essential to confirm that the supplier’s supply cycle can be at least 3 years.

We offer precise recommendation services.

Different medical devices have significantly different requirements for screens and touchscreens. Please tell us your specific device type, application scenario, budget range, and key performance requirements (such as resolution, brightness, protection level, etc.). We will combine the above core principles to select and recommend the most suitable, reliable, and long-term guaranteed LCD screen and touchscreen solutions for you, helping your medical device projects to proceed efficiently and be implemented smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Must medical device screens be imported brands?

A: Not necessarily. Domestic screens have reached international standards in some performance aspects, as long as they meet medical certification standards.

Q: Do all touchscreens need anti-glare treatment?

A: Yes, especially in strong light environments, AG treatment significantly improves visibility and is a recommended configuration for medical devices.

Q: Is it only necessary to focus on specifications when selecting a screen for medical devices?

A: No. Besides specifications, brand stability, supply chain time, and certification compatibility are all factors that cannot be ignored.

Contact Us

If you are looking for a suitable screen solution for your medical devices, please feel free to contact us. Our professional team will provide you with one-on-one technical support and product recommendations.