Enhancing Medical Displays with Local Dimming Technology

Local dimming is a cutting-edge technology that dramatically enhances contrast and picture quality in LCD displays, making it a game-changer for applications requiring precise visual detail - especially in medical imaging.

Unlike OLEDs, LCD panels rely on a backlight to display content. Traditional displays use edge-lit backlighting (Global Dimming), where brightness adjustments apply uniformly across the screen. This can lead to washed-out blacks and compromised clarity - far from ideal in medical environments where colour accuracy is paramount.

Local dimming eliminates these limitations by dividing the backlight into multiple light zones, each capable of adjusting brightness independently. This enables selective dimming of dark areas and brightening of lighter ones, significantly improving clarity and enhancing contrast.

For medical imaging, this means finer differentiation between subtle details such as tissues, anomalies, or tiny variations in diagnostic scans.

• Ultra-clear visualisation, making it easier to see tissues, vessels, and surgical instruments with precision.
• Accurate colour rendering, crucial when identifying blood vessels, organs, and subtle tissue changes in real-time.
• High brightness, enabling excellent visibility even under strong surgical lighting.
• Improved depth and sharpness, aiding in depth perception and edge definition during delicate procedures.

How Does Local Dimming Work

Medical imaging demands precision, so choosing the right local dimming technique for the application is essential:

Full Array Local Dimming (FALD)

• A grid of densely packed mini-LEDs provides numerous dimming zones
• Each zone independently adjusts brightness, delivering deep blacks, vibrant whites, and exceptional image quality - ideal for radiology and diagnostic displays.

Direct-Lit Local Dimming

• Larger LEDs cover fewer zones, offering moderate control over brightness
• Limitations: Less precision than FALD, which can affect the subtle contrasts needed for medical imaging.

Edge-Lit Local Dimming

• LEDs are placed along the edges of the screen and light is distributed inward
• Limitation: Vertical bands of brightness can reduce clarity in critical areas, making it less suitable for advanced imaging.

Comparing AMOLED to FALD Displays in Medical Imaging

AMOLED displays, while offering deep blacks and vibrant colours, are prone to image burn-in, making them less suitable for prolonged display of static medical content. In contrast, LCDs with FALD Mini-LED backlights offer:

✔️ Wide colour gamut and rich vibrancy for accurate visuals.
✔️ High contrast ratios (up to 1,000,000:1) for exceptional colour reproduction
✔️ Burn-in resistance and longer lifespans - ideal for durability and reliability.

How Local Dimming Technology Elevates Medical Imaging

Medical professionals rely on displays to deliver life-critical insights, whether viewing radiological scans, ultrasounds, or MRIs. A display with FALD capabilities enhances user experience by:

• Ensuring superior contrast, highlighting subtle anomalies and differences.
• Reducing halo effects for cleaner images that are easier to interpret.
• Providing consistent brightness control, even in diverse lighting conditions, such as surgical suites or diagnostic labs.
• Saving power with energy-efficient Mini-LEDs, essential for portable and high-performance medical devices.

Applications for Mini-LED Technology in Medical Devices

Mini-LED backlights with local dimming technology are enabling innovation across a growing range of clinical and surgical applications including:

1. Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS)
   Enables precise imaging for laparoscopy, endoscopy, and arthroscopy.
2. Robotic-Assisted Surgery
   Supports 3D and 4K displays for enhanced precision and depth awareness.
3. Microsurgery and Neurosurgery
   Offers magnified, high-contrast views of fine anatomical structures like nerves and vessels.
4. Cardiac Surgery
   Provides real-time visuals of blood flow and tissue perfusion during critical interventions.

A Clearer Future for Medical Imaging

Full array local dimming technology sets a new standard in medical displays by combining superior brightness, contrast, and longevity. This technology enables medical professionals to make faster, more accurate decisions. Explore our advanced displays designed for the medical field, or get in touch to learn more.

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