Feature: Medical


HMIs and the changing face of


medical intervention By Giuseppe Bergamaschi, Sales Director, Milexia Group


users through critical actions. Modern infusion pumps delivering medications, fluids and nutrients to patients feature touchscreens and step-by-step instructions, minimising room for mistakes and ensuring accurate and safe drug delivery


• HMIs are also used in home care situations, enabling patients to operate devices independently, improving self-care and treatment adherence in a safe and reliable manner. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, for example, are used by diabetic patients and feature HMIs that allow users to view their glucose levels in real time


H


ow we interact with machines has evolved rapidly in recent years. At consumer level, we’ve seen the emergence of virtual assistants in our


homes and increasingly autonomous vehicles on our roads. We now expect instant digital responsiveness in our classrooms, offices and shopping malls. Sophisticated human- machine interface (HMI) technology is also having a profound impact on various industrial sectors. In manufacturing, for example, use of HMIs is making shop floors and production lines safer, more efficient and more automated. No wonder independent consulting firm Grand View Research is forecasting overall growth of 10.4 per cent per year in the market for HMI solutions in the run up to 2030. It is arguably in healthcare where the most innovative HMI advancements are being seen, resulting in more streamlined workflows, improved patient care and enhanced communication between medical professionals and patients. Some of the most advanced HMIs use bioelectrical signals


38 March 2025 www.electronicsworld.co.uk


to allow the human body to communicate with machines in real-time via touchscreens, membrane switches, pushbuttons and joysticks, helping to reshape how doctors and surgeons go about their work.


Healthcare’s interactive makeover Te right HMI can make a medical device


more intuitive and easier to use, saving time and reducing the load on healthcare professionals as well as improving patient outcomes. New technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) are helping to take this to new levels. Let’s consider some examples of how HMIs are changing healthcare provision for the better: • Ventilators that assist patients with breathing must, in an emergency, be configured quickly and accurately. Modern ventilators feature touchscreens with simple visual cues, easy-to-assimilate icons and logical menu structures. Tis makes it easy for medical staff to adjust settings and monitor patients effectively in the most stressful conditions


• HMIs can reduce human error by providing clear prompts and safety alerts to guide


• Modern medical procedures and devices generate a vast amount of data which oſten needs to be interpreted and used for critical decision-making. Patient monitoring systems in intensive care units (ICUs) harvest a variety of data that an HMI, supported by AI, can show in an organised, visual format that supports quick, informed decision-making by healthcare providers


• We are increasingly familiar with wearable monitors like the Apple Watch and the Fitbit which feature intuitive HMIs to allow users to monitor their heart rate, detect irregularities and receive alerts. Te right wearable HMI can inform users of a range of potential issues without overwhelming them with complex medical data


• Surgical robots can now provide surgeons with high levels of additional control and precision. Surgical HMIs, backed by AR, feature ergonomic controls and 3D visual interfaces that allow the surgeon to operate robotic instruments in real time with accuracy


The future of surgery Perhaps the most groundbreaking and hotly discussed HMI healthcare advancement is in the field of one-touch or touchless surgery. Highly sophisticated HMI technology can now allow surgeons to view and manipulate


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