All about user interfaces for medical devices | A definitive guide

User interfaces and considerations

User interfaces in medical devices help to analyze and control various elements. The elements depend on the type of device and its functions – for example, a cardiac monitor has a TFT-LCD screen to display the output and buttons to provide input. The device displays patients’ data to track parameters like ECG, RESP, NIBP, SPO2, Temperature, ETCO2, EEG, EMG, IBP, and PR.

With this information, the medical practitioner can analyze patients’ conditions. In a technologically literate world, handling these devices is rarely a headache. Even if it is complicated, the machine manufacturers can provide an easy-to-handle device with a simple user interface.

While designing, the engineers who manufacture the devices can take many things to consider and come up with a perfect solution.

Consider the case of a cardiac monitor – you can see the buttons, screen, and overlays – together, they create a simple user interface design. Then, there will be labels to instruct the user how to use, make cautious signs, and troubleshoot content to guide the user.

Likewise, there are other considerations you must know before designing the interface for the machine. Here is your list of four things to consider.

1. Understanding why the machine is required
2. Who will operate and handle the machine – a professional or a layman?
3. How easy is the interaction between the users and the machine?
4. Is it required to provide modification settings to customize the controls?

To learn further, we must understand the user interface flow and move forward to find the factors that influence the final design.

The user interface flow

As you can see from the flow diagram, the two segments – the user and the device interact through a medium, which is the user interface.

• The user provides input and controls the device with her cognitive ability.
• Once processed, the device will display the output on the screen.
• With the information perception ability, the user grabs the information.

The user interface flow is not rocket science – it’s easy to understand. Let’s check this flow with our use case. The medical practitioner adjusts the input using the controls available in the device. She controls the device based on her cognitive skills.

From the attached cables, the device displays the output of the patient’s data like ECG or any other tracking metric. The practitioner can understand the patient’s condition by just checking the monitor.

The easier the controls to set the device, the easier it is to track!

Factors influencing the final design

Three factors influence the user interface design, which are,

Human factors (or) usability engineering:

Human involvement is necessary to enhance the product’s usability and aesthetics without a major overhaul, a firm grip on the timeline, and accepting the budget guidelines. As a teamwork, the product designers, engineers, managers, and other workforces make a design plan that meets the use specification perfectly.

This human effort ensures the eradication of use-related hazards and risks. Usability engineering proves as a success in the three stages of a product cycle.

• Preparing the device for use – Unpacking, set up, calibration
• Using the device – Customizing, Control adjustments
• Performing maintenance – Cleaning, replacements, repairs, service

Safety:

Safety or risk management is related to human factors. It is we who design, manufacture, and supply the machines. Even though nowadays production is automated, still we humans are supervisors.

Hence, it is necessary to follow industrial standards for quality management, ensuring proper safety while using the device. Consider a hospital that requires a device that withstands low temperatures. However, the material used for the device doesn’t qualify to stand at low temperatures. The device will malfunction and may cause serious damage to the patient’s life.

It must not happen! That’s why the interface and other components must follow acceptable risks.

Use errors:

As it sounds, they are errors that occur while using the interfaces. A use error happens when there occurs a miscommunication between the device and the user. This factor helps engineers to understand the scenarios where the user interface needs modifiable configurations.

However, the higher number of use errors shows major flaws. A minimal and acceptable value is satisfactory.

Note: Do not mistake user errors with use errors. User errors occur when a user makes a mistake while attempting to interact with the device.

Latest user interface trends in the medical industry

Living the way with new trends – the anthem followed by many of us. It makes sense, and the user interface technology in the medical industry has the latest trends. Let’s look at some of them and what we can expect in the future.

Keeping interactions simple.

According to a source, a whopping 7.33 billion people use mobile phones and are familiar with their functions, at least the basics! A similar approach is taking shape in medical devices – learning to use them is simpler than ever.

With easy-to-use interfaces, technology toddlers in the medical industry can also operate devices. The manufacturers design the interface impeccably, where the users can set inputs, modify them as required, and analyze the output.

Durability is the key.

Manufacturers consider the life of user interfaces very seriously, as they are used regularly. A durable interface will act as insurance for the device. If it works well, there is no cripple in interacting with the device.

Multi-device connectivity.

Unseen causes can interrupt the job of a medical practitioner. For flexibility, many device applications are now available to install on mobile devices, ensuring proper tracking and even saving reports from time to time for later analysis remotely.

Customization offers flexible designs.

Based on the user specifics, manufacturers can offer customized interfaces. User interface customization brings freedom to product designers and engineers. With customization, professionals can personalize the interface based on their interaction styles. The same goes for the patients, as they may feel more comfortable using the device.

Automation is surging.

User interfaces for medical devices are increasingly automated. Medical practitioners can now focus on other important activities because many jobs, such as patient monitoring and data gathering, can now be automated by devices.

Secure in many ways.

Enabling security layers to ensure only authenticated people operate the devices has become a trend. With biometric locks, the security feature will gain more upper hand over privacy. Fingerprint scanning is a type of biometrics security feature we are familiar with. It provides valid authentication, as patients won’t be able to use the device themselves.

Apart from these trends, new features are also gaining prominence in the medical industry. The interfaces these days provide visualized content where the user can grab the information at a glance. Analytics incorporated with these data visualization elements helps in accurate decision-making.

Motion sensing is yet another trending feature that we may witness soon. Instead of touch or button commands, a simple wave can change the input. Unlocking and controlling the device through voice recognition is not far from us!

The user interface will evolve more and more

With technology evolving, the user interfaces we see now as displays, touchscreens, membrane switches and keypads will upgrade to a modern form. With fewer learning curves and ease to customize, the future looks bright.

It is always recommended to take an expert opinion for designing a user interface for a medical device, as it ensures the perfect match for device requirements.

What do you consider for your user interface – simple, custom, durable, compatible, automation – or everything? Share your opinion as comments.