Grayhll (La Grange, IL), a company that makes all sorts of human interface devices, is releasing new high resolution touch panels for medical applications. The screens are able to track up to ten fingers at 4,096 x 4,096 (17 megapixel) accuracy. Plus, they work just fine with medical gloves, and since the screens can be disinfected, they can be used in surgical applications for radiological image browsing, accessing patient data, and as an interface to other equipment in the OR.
The screens actually recognize that the user is wearing gloves and adjust accordingly. Moreover, if liquid hits the screen, it knows that too and automatically engages the so called “Fluid Compatibility Mode” so you can feel like you’re an officer under Captain Kirk’s command as you navigate through the patient’s PACS data.
Grayhill developed its own optical bonding technology that creates a perfect seal between the layers of the panel, pretty much guaranteeing that moisture, dust, and bacteria can’t get in. They’ll be at the upcoming RSNA conference in Chicago starting later this week.