SPECIAL SECTION

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As medical devices become smaller and more portable, end-users require displays to be legible in many conditions. Identifying the right display for the application can be challenging. In this guide, four experts explore the demands being placed on medical electronic displays and discuss the advances in technology that enable product designers to make the right choice. "High-Luminance Liquid-Crystal Displays" shows how LCDs can be used to create displays that can be viewed in nearly any lighting environment. "Ambient-Light Sensing" examines another method for creating legible displays: incorporating ambient-light sensing into displays, enabling them to adjust automatically to changing light conditions. "Vacuum Fluorescent Display Technology" addresses how such technology can be combined with smart graphics modules or LED backlights to achieve attractive and multicolor displays. Finally, as touch screens become more prevalent in medical devices, tactile feedback may be the wave of the future. "Tactile Feedback for Touch Screens" looks at how including tactile response mechanisms into a touch screen interface gives users an immediate confirmation that their input has been received. All of these advances can ultimately reduce errors, which is key to creating successful medical devices.