Medical Device Link.

Originally Published EMDM March/April 2002

PRODUCT UPDATE

Tastitalia S.p.A.

Return to Article: Electronics Open New Avenues in Device Design

A company that designs and manufactures membrane switches and touch screens cites device reliability as its highest priority. Tastitalia S.p.A. (Recanati, MC, Italy) develops products for medical as well as for aerospace and military applications. "We target high-level applications," says company president Paolo Accattoli. "Consequently, our products must have a zero failure rate."

The ISO 9001–certified firm uses advanced thermoforming equipment to process a chemically resistant, durable polyester film and produce reliable switches with enhanced tactile qualities. This is especially important in medical environments, says Accattoli, where the staff manipulating the equipment is often required to wear gloves.

Products offered by the company include graphic overlays with or without tactile feedback and membrane switches with metal domes or supporting structures in a variety of materials. Also available are switches on printed circuit boards or with integrated SMT components, a PC interface, or backlighting. Custom products with interchangeable pockets and labels and control panels with mechanical switches are offered as well.

The company's touch screens are based on resistive four- and five-wire technology. This is better suited to medical environments than capacitive screens, according to the firm, because the latter may not respond to input from gloved fingers. In addition, a scratch-resistant top layer ensures durability and the screen's easy accessibility reduces user error.

Copyright ©2002 European Medical Device Manufacturer