Monochrome Displays and Medicine: Using LCDs in Medical Devices
Living in a world of modern technology, we get to see super cool gadgets coming out on a weekly basis. These new inventions save us time and make our lives much easier. Our household chores no longer take us hours to finish. Instead, we get most of them done within a matter of minutes. We depend on these developments to get so many things done. And it's become a habit to test out each new appliance that pops up. And companies need to wow us with their products in order to turn us into loyal buyers.
There's one product we've been loyal to for a long time now— LCD screens. and There's a product that's been here for such a long time. And that's the fascinating LCD screen. These displays have come such a long way in the past couple of decades. Not a lot of people can probably even remember how they look like before. Especially the younger generations. Before, these displays were large and really heavy. You had to put in a lot of physical strength just to move them. Today, some models are as light as a feather. There are so many cool new options and features of these screens that no one can actually believe that all we once had was a black and white image. But, some would be even more surprised to learn that we still need these monochrome LCDs.
In this post, we'll reflect on the history of LCDs and follow their path from the moment the idea was created. We'll give a bit more details on monochrome displays and the way they're used today. As they are used in different industries, we'll pay special attention to medical applications.
Monochrome LCD history: Quick reflection
Liquid crystals had a big role in the 1960s. Scientists were trying to figure out how to use this technology for displays. Some time after, they were successful and finally managed to make a display. Back then, this was a big development for the industry. The new displays were more energy-efficient. They were also less heavy and easier to work with. That was the beginning of the displays we know and use today. And it all started with black and white screens.
Monochrome screens in medical applications
The medical industry is one of the industries we rely on a lot. The devices it uses need to be advanced and reliable as well. The medical staff should work with devices that are quick and efficient. And monochrome displays can make that happen. They don't use a lot of power and they're also more affordable than color LCD displays. And all of that combined is a big advantage, which makes LCD monochrome displays an ideal solution for medical devices.
Medical grade monitors
First of all, the monochromatic screen is used in the OR (operating room). Thanks to its high-contrast and sharp images, it helps doctors read patient data quickly just by taking a look at the screens. During any type of surgery, it's important to read the data carefully and be able to follow the vital signs of the patient. Monochrome screens allow doctors to do all of that and that's why all of the medical grade monitors need a monochrome display.
Different types of medical instrumentation
The second use of monochrome screens is in medical instruments such as surgical cameras or ultrasound machines. So, the next time you go for an ultrasound, take a look at the screen and you'll see a monochrome display being used to display the data. You'll see that these displays give you a clear and precise image that's easy to read. It helps doctors and nurses set diagnosis quickly and with precision. As ultrasound machines require reliability, it's important to have a display that won't let you down. And monochrome screens are famous for their durability.
Electronic health records
Healthcare professionals need to be able to decipher medical images in a matter of seconds. Monochrome screens are also used in EHRs because of that. They can provide a sharp and high-contrast image that the medical staff can prepare quickly.
Medical imaging devices
X-ray machines and MRI machines are types of medical imaging devices. And all of these use monochrome displays because they show information clearly and precisely. The grayscale tones allow doctors to read data and set a proper diagnosis for treatment.
The final word
The LCD history is so extensive and impossible to cover in a single blog post. But at least we hope you now understand the importance of monochrome screens and their role in the medical industry. They are both practical and simple. Not to mention that they offer a high-contrast image that's easy to read and interpret. Plus, they are also affordable and, as the medical industry needs a large number of displays, monochrome screens are really good for the budget. So, these simple screens serve a number of purposes and allow doctors to diagnose and treat efficiently without any risks of misreading or misinterpreting the data.
