How to choose the right display for medical pumps and autoinjectors

What should manufacturers consider when selecting displays for medical pumps and autoinjectors? 

The best display for a medical pump or autoinjector depends on the device's intended use, operating environment, power requirements, available space and user interface design. 

Unlike consumer electronics, medical devices often have demanding requirements for component longevity, environmental protection, electrical compatibility and product validation. Selecting a suitable display therefore involves more than choosing the right screen size or resolution. 

For medical device OEMs and specialist medical design houses, six factors are particularly important: 

1. Display technology and readability: Ensuring information remains clearly visible under the intended lighting conditions. 

2. Power consumption: Balancing display performance with battery life and operating voltage requirements. 

3. Mechanical integration: Accommodating the complete display assembly within the device's enclosure. 

4. Touch and user interaction: Selecting appropriate input methods and feedback technologies. 

5. Environmental protection and validation: Addressing mechanical robustness, sealing and operating conditions. 

6. Long-term availability: Planning for component continuity, replacements and product lifecycle management 

7. Long-term operation: Selecting display materials and components that keep the device working reliably for the full period of use, minimising the need for users to return it.

With more than 50 years of experience in display technology, Densitron works with medical device manufacturers and specialist design partners to address these challenges through standard and customised displays, touch technologies, embedded computing and integrated solutions. 

1. What is the best display technology for an infusion pump or autoinjector? 

There is no single best display technology for medical pumps or autoinjectors. The most suitable choice depends on how the device is used, the information it needs to display and the balance between optical performance, power consumption and physical size. 

For example, a compact battery-powered autoinjector may require a small, low-power display that communicates essential information during specific stages of use. An infusion pump used in a clinical environment may require a more detailed interface with continuous visibility of operating information. 

Different display technologies offer distinct advantages. 

TFT LCD displays provide colour graphics, a broad range of resolutions and flexibility for interfaces requiring detailed visual information. 

OLED displays offer high contrast and compact integration options, although operating conditions, GUI design and expected lifetime must be evaluated. 

Monochrome LCD displays can provide a practical, power-efficient option where clear presentation of essential information is the priority. 

E-paper displays offer low power consumption for applications with infrequent screen updates, but their refresh characteristics and ability to retain information without power may make them unsuitable for certain medical interfaces. 

Densitron helps medical device developers evaluate these technologies against the requirements of the application, supporting the selection of a display solution that balances performance, power efficiency and integration. 

2. How can medical device displays minimise power consumption? 

Power consumption is a critical consideration for battery-powered medical devices, particularly wearable infusion pumps and compact autoinjectors. 

The display's impact on battery life depends on several factors, including display technology, brightness, backlight operation, refresh frequency, interface electronics and how frequently the screen is active. 

For example, a display that is only activated when the user interacts with the device may have different power requirements from one that must remain continuously visible. The design of the user interface can also affect power consumption. With self-emissive display technologies, power use rises with the number of illuminated pixels, so a predominantly dark interface will typically use less power than one with a bright background, while still offering high contrast. However a white background (pixels on) whilst providing a high contrast view will also result in a high power demand. 

3. Can medical displays be customised to fit an existing device enclosure? 

Yes. Medical displays can be customised to accommodate specific mechanical, electrical and optical requirements, including overall dimensions, cover lenses, connector positioning and touch integration. 

This is particularly important for compact medical devices, where the available space may be tightly constrained. 

A display that meets the required diagonal size may still be unsuitable if its overall module dimensions, flexible printed circuit (FPC) or mounting arrangements do not fit within the enclosure. Manufacturers therefore need to evaluate the complete display assembly, rather than the visible screen area alone. 

Common customisation requirements include: 

• Adjusting cover lens dimensions, thickness and materials. 

• Modifying FPC positioning or connector configurations. 

• Integrating capacitive touch technology. 

• Adapting the display for portrait or landscape operation. 

• Specifying optical bonding or surface treatments. 

• Maintaining compatibility with existing mechanical and electrical interfaces. 

For medical device manufacturers upgrading an established product, these considerations can be particularly important. 

Replacing an existing display with a newer technology may offer opportunities to improve optical performance or functionality, but significant mechanical or electrical changes can increase development and validation requirements. 

Densitron supports both standard display integration and customised display assemblies, working with engineering teams to identify configurations that meet the specific requirements of the device. 

This allows medical OEMs and their design partners to explore solutions that fit the product, rather than designing the product around the limitations of a standard display. 

4. What touch and control technologies are suitable for medical devices? 

Medical device interfaces may use capacitive touchscreens, physical controls, tactile feedback technologies or combinations of these approaches. The appropriate choice depends on the device's intended users, operating environment, required functions and usability requirements. 

For example, a touchscreen can allow multiple functions to be incorporated into a compact interface, reducing the need for numerous separate controls. However, developers must also consider factors such as touch sensitivity, cover lens thickness, sealing, operating conditions and the need for clear confirmation of user inputs. 

In some medical applications, tactile feedback can provide an additional form of interaction. 

Densitron offers capacitive touch integration alongside its Tactila® tactile technologies, which combine touchscreen functionality with tactile control elements such as rotary inputs and buttons. 

These technologies allow developers to explore different approaches to user interaction, including the combination of digital information and physical control feedback. 

For medical devices, interface design must also be considered as part of the manufacturer's wider usability engineering, risk management and validation processes. 

Densitron works with customers and their development partners to explore appropriate display and control technologies based on the requirements of the complete application. 

5. How are displays integrated into medical device electronics? 

Medical displays connect to the device's wider electronic system through interfaces such as SPI, QSPI, I²C, MIPI DSI or other application-specific connections. Selecting the correct interface is important for compatibility with the host processor or microcontroller, as well as for managing power consumption, available space and system complexity. 

For compact medical pumps and autoinjectors, the display may need to operate within strict voltage and processing constraints. 

Integration considerations can include: 

• Display and touch controller interfaces. 

• Compatibility with microcontroller operating voltages. 

• Connector and FPC configuration. 

• Display refresh and communication requirements. 

• Supporting electronics and controller placement. 

• Separation of display functions from safety-related system functions. 

In some applications, a standard display module connected to the host controller may provide the most straightforward solution. 

In others, a more integrated approach may help reduce the number of separate components or simplify the overall design.  Densitron's capabilities extend beyond displays to include touch and embedded computing technologies, enabling manufacturers to explore both individual components and more integrated solutions. 

By working with the customer's engineering team early in development, Densitron can help identify appropriate display interfaces, supporting electronics and customisation requirements. 

6. How can medical displays be designed for demanding operating environments? 

Displays used in medical equipment may need to withstand repeated handling, moisture exposure, cleaning processes, temperature variation and mechanical stress. The specific requirements depend on the intended application. 

For example, a wearable infusion device may require a compact display assembly that integrates with a sealed enclosure. A clinical infusion pump may have different requirements for surface durability, cleaning resistance and continuous operation. 

Developers should assess the complete assembly, including: 

• Cover glass and surface protection. 

• Optical bonding and adhesive selection. 

• Sealing and enclosure integration. 

• Mechanical stiffness and dimensional tolerances. 

• Temperature and humidity requirements. 

• Compatibility with intended cleaning procedures. 

These factors can influence the design of the display assembly and the wider device enclosure. 

Densitron offers display customisation and optical enhancement capabilities, including cover glass integration and surface treatments, to support different application requirements. 

Prototype development and testing are particularly important in medical applications, allowing manufacturers to evaluate the display within the intended enclosure and operating environment. 

Any environmental protection ratings or regulatory requirements must be verified for the specific finished assembly and device. 

7. Why is long-term display availability important for medical devices? 

Long-term component availability is an important consideration for medical equipment because product development, regulatory processes, production and servicing can extend over many years. 

A display selected during initial product development may need to remain available throughout the manufacturer's expected production and support period. 

If a display or its underlying components become obsolete, replacing them may require mechanical changes, electrical modifications or additional verification and validation. 

Manufacturers should therefore consider component lifecycle planning early in development. 

Important questions include: 

• What is the expected availability of the selected display? 

• How will component changes be communicated? 

• Are suitable alternatives available if the original display becomes obsolete? 

• Can replacement displays maintain mechanical and electrical compatibility? 

• How can production forecasts support continuity of supply? 

Densitron has extensive experience supporting manufacturers with display replacement and end-of-life challenges, including identifying alternatives when established display technologies or product ranges are discontinued. 

This experience is particularly relevant to medical OEMs looking to maintain established products while minimising unnecessary redesign. 

By considering supply continuity alongside performance and integration requirements, manufacturers can make more informed decisions about the long-term suitability of their display technology. 

How can medical design houses work with display specialists to develop new medical devices? 

Medical design houses can work directly with specialist display manufacturers such as Densitron to evaluate display technologies, develop customised assemblies and address mechanical, electrical and user interface requirements during product development. Many medical device OEMs collaborate with specialist design and engineering organisations to develop new products or update established equipment. 

These medical design houses may be responsible for industrial design, electronics, mechanical engineering, software, usability and integration, working alongside the OEM's internal teams. Involving a display specialist early in this process can help identify technical constraints, evaluate suitable technologies and reduce the risk of costly design changes later in development. 

Densitron works with both medical device OEMs and specialist medical design houses, contributing expertise in display selection, touch integration, customisation and embedded technologies. 

For a design house developing a new wearable drug delivery system, this could involve evaluating low-power displays, reviewing mechanical constraints, defining electrical interfaces and exploring customised cover lenses or interconnects. 

For a team redesigning an established infusion pump, the priority might be identifying a replacement display that maintains compatibility with the existing enclosure and electronics. 

In both cases, Densitron can support the engineering process, from initial technology evaluation and specification development through to prototyping, integration and production planning. 

This collaborative approach helps manufacturers and their design partners develop differentiated medical devices without being limited to standard, off-the-shelf display configurations. 

Why choose Densitron for medical display solutions? 

Densitron provides standard and customised display, touch and embedded technology solutions for medical equipment manufacturers and specialist design partners. 

With more than 50 years of experience in display technology, Densitron combines component expertise with engineering and customisation capabilities to help customers address application-specific requirements. 

Its capabilities include: 

• Display technology: TFT LCD, OLED, monochrome, epaper and other display technologies. 

• Custom display solutions: Mechanical adaptations, cover lenses, optical enhancements and electrical interface modifications. 

• Touch and tactile technologies: Capacitive touch integration and Tactila® tactile control capabilities. 

• Embedded technologies: Computing and interface solutions that can support more integrated product architectures. 

• Lifecycle support: Assistance with component selection, display replacements and end-of-life planning. 

• Engineering collaboration: Working directly with medical OEMs and specialist design houses to develop solutions aligned with the application. 

Whether developing a compact autoinjector, wearable infusion pump or more complex medical equipment, Densitron supports customers in selecting and integrating technologies suited to their product requirements. 

Whether you are developing a new medical device, upgrading an existing design or looking for a replacement display, our engineering team can help you explore the available options. 

Contact Densitron to discuss your medical display, touch and integration requirements >