The latest solution to the requirements of modern mobile healthcare is a device known as the rugged mini PC. Rugged mini PCs, by definition, are compact and portable computers essentially designed to withstand extreme conditions that a regular, consumer grade desktop or tablet cannot.
Also known as fanless computers, these mini PCs use a convection-based cooling system. Their industrial strength makes them highly robust and compatible with a mobile setup. As such, their contribution to mobile healthcare has been nothing short of monumental.
Here's a glimpse of the many ways in which rugged mini PCs are finding application in the mobile healthcare industry:
Exchanging and Sharing Medical Information
Rugged mini PCs have significantly refined the process of information sharing between patients and care providers. These resilient, powerful devices can assimilate and coordinate patient data with medical histories and tests conducted through RFID and biometric readers.
Simulating Surgical Procedures
The complex operations performed today are highly dependent on technology. A critical component of this is simulating the surgery before performing it on a patient. These simulations emulate a real world situation and help the surgeon take stock of possible outcomes and unexpected complications, so that the final procedure is safer.
Rugged mini PCs come with state-of-the-art internal configurations that give them the processing power required in order to handle these simulations. Their portability and ease-of-use also facilitate sharing of simulated content from multiple locations.
As Control Devices in Operating Rooms
The toughness, durability and extended battery life of a rugged mini PC makes it an ideal for doubling up as an operating room control device for an emergency surgery. Displaying real-time visualizations and patient data requires excellent processing power and stamina, and the device has to remain functional in case of an emergency. For instance, if a medical procedure takes more time than anticipated, or a power failure threatens to interrupt things, rugged minis can remain fully functional.
Rugged mini PCs, being fanless, are also easy to clean, a prerequisite of a modern medical device to be used in a sterile operating room.
As Emergency Devices in Point-of-Care carts
The industrial build quality and battery life of a rugged mini PC comes in handy when it is used in a medical cart. Not only do these carts have to remain functional for extended periods of time, they also have to be able to withstand shocks and vibrations. Rugged Minis fit the bill, and come with the added perk of a small footprint.
As Mobile MRI units
Rugged mini PCs come equipped with state-of-the-art components. They are usually run by Intel Core i5 processors, and can take the pressures of running complex programs, such as the types used in scanning and operating procedures. They can easily switch roles, from being a standalone unit in an operation theatre, to facilitating the functioning of a more complex piece of medical equipment such as an MRI scanner.
Rugged mini PCs represent a crucial point of contact between advanced portable computing and the demands of a rapidly evolving mobile medical industry. They keep medical equipment and infrastructure prepared to face an emergency, which is a core component of an efficiently robust mobile healthcare system.