Human-Machine Interface
Human-machine interfaces in the medical sector
The combination of touch screen with power-saving SBC from SECO serves as the central communication interface on the Biorespira non-invasive (NIV) ventilator. Maren Wessels, associate head of marketing at Seco Northen Europe, explains more
I
n medical technology, quality and safety are the most important parameters for high-quality and reliable products. The use of Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) in the corresponding electronic devices and systems therefore imposes exacting demands on developers and manufacturers. The devices must be comfortable and precise in operation, ensure optimal parameter readability and offer fail-safety and long- term availability. Touch screens are also playing an increasingly important role in the operation of medical devices, and their use has been growing steadily for years, with HMIs assuming the vital role of the central control elements of medical technology devices. The display permits extremely accurate control of all functions, and the user is provided with current information, such as measurement results, at the touch of a button. During the final development phase of an innovative non-invasive ventilator (NIV), IBD – an experienced manufacturer of biomedical devices – was looking for support in implementing a suitable HMI and found it with SECO. With the novel and versatile NIV approach to support lung ventilation, the solution is used in both clinical and home-care or mobile applications.
they need. Above all, it is characterised by its standardised architecture and high adaptability, which suited the developers. The GUI framework was also specially tailored to the requirements of the solution and is based on C++ technology for ARM/ Linux environments. In addition, a CAN BUS was used to reduce the number of cables installed in the unit, which would reduce its weight. The HMI specially adapted for this device facilitates simple operation – even for inexperienced users – and ensures optimum display of values such as the PEEP, SpO2 parameters and respiratory rate.
The result
HMI for non-invasive ventilation (NIV)
With NIV, the patient’s breathing is supported without requiring intubation or tracheostomy. NIV offers effective therapy for patients suffering from respiratory insufficiency with a lower risk of infection and improved survival rates. With the Biorespira ventilator, IBD – together with the support of SECO – has rapidly developed a product that also supports patients in coping with a COVID-19 infection. “By developing this device, we had the opportunity to contribute to combating the COVID-19 pandemic, and SECO was the best partner we could have asked for,” explains Corrado Ghidini, CEO of IBD.
In principle, the ventilator should use systems that are at the very cutting-edge of technology. We therefore wanted to use a high-flux
generator for non-invasive
ventilation of adult patients suffering from respiratory insufficiency. This makes it possible
20 November 2023 Components in Electronics
to not only directly measure the PEEP, SpO2 parameters and respiratory rate in patients who can breathe on their own, but also to have the values continuously displayed. We wanted a closed system to prevent the risk of infection to which others present are exposed due to the aerosol effect of the air exhaled by the patient.
Before SECO’s embedded systems specialists started developing the HMI, they had to define some requirements for the solution. In this regard, particular attention was paid to user-friendliness, compactness and weight reduction. A flexible overall solution was especially important for the planned application, not only in intensive care, surgical ICU and emergency rooms, but also as a mobile unit in nursing homes and home care.
An adapted HMI standard solution The HMI solution used in the Biorespira was specially adapted to the requirements of the device. It consisted of a 10-inch touch screen with a power-saving single board computer (SBC) and an ARM processor of the latest generation. A Yocto Linux was used as the operating system. Yocto is not a Linux system in its own right, but rather a construction kit from which developers can take what
SECO delivers an HMI that is used to monitor the functions of the ventilator, whereby the developed device is extremely compact and portable with a size of 291(W) x 259(H) x 203(D) mm and a weight of 3 kg. It has a user-friendly display and can be used in clinics as well as in-home care. It supports oxygenation, dynamic pulmonary compliance, homogeneity and expiratory volume, while reducing anatomical dead space and generating a positive airway pressure. The ventilator is intuitive in its use and does not interfere with treatment. Even inexperienced users quickly learn how to operate it.
SECO in the medical sector SECO covers all relevant standard certifications in the medical field so that clinical purity and safety in use are guaranteed at all times. SECO’s embedded systems are particularly characterised by the fact that the standardised solutions can be adapted to various fields of application in the medical sector. This means a prototype is available very early in the development phase, considerably speeding up implementation, functional testing and quality assurance. This rapid prototyping of the HMI was able to help bring the Biorespira to market in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic much faster than would usually have been the case.
north.seco.com
www.cieonline.co.uk.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70
