Key Design Points for Handheld Medical Devices

Key Design Points for Handheld Medical Devices

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The following is the main text:

Compared to general medical devices, handheld medical devices have a wider range of functions, such as meeting diverse patient needs, occupying less space, being easy to maintain, and being portable. Due to the widespread application of handheld medical devices, which greatly assist medical personnel and patients, many handheld medical devices have begun to expand into new fields and have spawned a series of products.

In practical applications, these products have not consistently received positive feedback but have instead sparked discussions in society and debates in academia. The key issue lies in errors in the design points of handheld medical devices, which have affected their overall use and subsequent development.

Characteristics of Handheld Medical Devices

1.1 Safety

The widespread use of handheld medical devices is primarily due to their high safety standards. The application of medical devices spans a wide range, significantly benefiting healthcare personnel, disabled patients, and research in the medical field. They can objectively change the status of medical work and the lifestyles of patients, reaching a new height. As a key part of the medical device field, the safety of handheld medical devices is subject to strict regulations.

First, in the event of a malfunction, handheld medical devices must ensure the personal safety of the user and not cause accidents.

Second, if a handheld medical device is damaged during regular use, it should display prominent areas to inform the patient of the issue, preventing continued use.

Third, since the primary contact area of handheld medical devices is the user’s hands, measures must be improved to protect the hands from wear and scratches.

1.2 Complexity

Modern medical devices integrate research results from multiple disciplines, leading to increased complexity and diversity in modules. Additionally, the users of medical devices are also complex; not all users of handheld medical devices are professional healthcare personnel. The user environment surrounding handheld medical devices is not limited to healthcare personnel. In home settings, users are often non-professionals, and may even be patients themselves. They may lack basic medical knowledge and operational skills for medical devices.

The complexity inherent in handheld medical devices is a core aspect that not only determines the expression of other characteristics but also significantly impacts their practical application. This study suggests that the complexity of handheld medical devices is not easy to grasp. In future work, it is essential to reduce complexity while enhancing other characteristics to help handheld medical devices achieve more functionalities. At the same time, it is important to manage the influence of complexity to avoid negatively impacting the design and development of handheld medical devices.

Key Design Points for Handheld Medical Devices

2.1 Safety

The market for handheld medical devices is extensive. To further meet the needs of a large number of patients, the design process of handheld medical devices must meet fixed requirements, commonly referred to as design points, while also achieving greater breakthroughs in these design points; otherwise, it will be challenging to meet the demands of real-world work. Long-term exploration has revealed that one of the key design points for handheld medical devices is safety.

The finger pulse oximeter can measure pulse rate and blood oxygen saturation. This device is lightweight and elegantly designed, providing measurement results in just a few seconds when the finger is placed in the middle position. It is suitable for personal use and fitness enthusiasts, and can also be used for home care and medical purposes. It can connect via Bluetooth to smartphones to synchronize measurement results.

2.2 Shape Design

A key distinction of handheld medical devices compared to other medical devices is their small size, primarily operated by hand. The details of operation often determine the final outcome. Therefore, the shape design of handheld medical devices is crucial.

First, the shape of handheld medical devices must be compact, allowing operators to quickly discern the device’s function. In terms of overall shape, it should stand out, enabling quick identification among numerous medical devices.

Second, the colors of handheld medical devices should be distinct, as different colors convey different meanings, and actual application scenarios must be considered. If the lighting is dim, the design should use bright colors to stand out; if the lighting is bright, softer colors should be used. Finally, in the case of colorblind individuals, the meanings expressed by colors can vary significantly, so multiple scenarios must be considered in color selection.

Third, the shape design of handheld medical devices should facilitate practical operation. As this type of medical product is primarily used in delicate surgeries and applications for patients with disabilities, operational performance must meet a high standard, while also possessing characteristics such as anti-pollution and anti-corrosion to ensure no harm comes to patients or healthcare personnel.

2.3 Tactile Design

In addition to the two aforementioned design points, the tactile design of handheld medical devices is also a very important aspect. The tactile design mainly allows operators to clearly feel their actions when using the medical device, while ensuring that the sensation is noticeable to avoid excessive or insufficient force that could cause unnecessary impacts.

Tactile design has always been a critical aspect of handheld medical device design and often serves as a bottleneck for breakthroughs. For example, membrane buttons have become the main type of lightweight tactile controllers. The functions of the membrane buttons on pulse oximeters not only include power on/off control but also other switching functions, including step control. For instance, in the case of the pulse oximeter plus, due to the structural and functional characteristics of the device itself, the membrane button design must comply with single-handed operation protocols, and control keys should be operable with a single finger, ensuring that the layout of control keys minimizes the risk of accidental operation. From the above statements, it is evident that tactile design directly affects the daily use, repair, and optimization of handheld medical devices, significantly impacting users.

In future work, tactile design must be more user-friendly, enhancing sensitivity while also incorporating features to prevent erroneous operations. Even in the event of an incorrect operation, the tactile design should be able to immediately halt all potential issues. Conclusion: This study analyzes the design points of handheld medical devices. Currently, many handheld medical devices have largely met the needs of healthcare personnel and patients, but due to the increasing number of patients and the emergence of special cases, some handheld medical devices exhibit performance shortcomings that require further design in the future.

In summary, there are numerous design points for handheld medical devices. In the design process, it is essential not only to adhere to the specifications of the design points but also to enhance the value of handheld medical devices, providing greater assistance to healthcare personnel and patients.

Medical Device Testing, Technical Training, Instrument Calibration Consultation: 4008180021

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Key Design Points for Handheld Medical Devices

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