6 Reasons LVGL Excels as a Graphics Library for Embedded Medical Devices

As medical devices grow increasingly complex and connected, the need for responsive and reliable user interfaces (UIs) has never been more crucial. From patient monitors to infusion pumps, medical device UIs must be intuitive, lightweight and resource-efficient to ensure optimal performance. That’s where Light and Versatile Graphics Library (LVGL) can help. In many cases, LVGL – an open-source graphics library that allows developers to create embedded GUIs – may be the ideal choice for creating embedded medical device UIs.

For example, patient monitoring systems for tracking vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure or oxygen saturation are a good fit for LVGL to drive their UIs. These systems require real-time data visualization on screens that need to display dynamic readings, trends and alerts with high accuracy. LVGL is well-suited for these devices because of its lightweight nature, low power consumption, and real-time performance, enabling smooth and responsive graphical interfaces even on limited embedded hardware.

Another example: infusion pumps. These devices, used to deliver fluids or medication into a patient's body at controlled rates, require clear, intuitive touchscreen controls for setting parameters like infusion rates, volume and alarms. LVGL makes sense because it has the ability to create custom widgets, support real-time updates, and handle touch inputs with minimal resource usage.

LVGL for medical devices is notable in that it is designed for systems with inherently low Software of Unknown Provenance (SOUP) requirements, making it a better fit for certain devices compared to larger frameworks that require a full-fledged operating system.

Top 6 reasons to consider LVGL for medical device UIs

1. Lightweight and Efficient

Embedded systems are typically built with low-cost microcontrollers or microprocessors with limited capabilities. Fortunately, LVGL is optimized for use in these types of systems. Unlike other, more resource-heavy GUI libraries, LVGL consumes minimal memory and processing power, making it a perfect match for embedded medical devices that must run on tight resource budgets. This lightweight nature allows for quick boot times, faster response rates, and stable long-term performance – all of which are critical in the context of medical applications where real-time operation and reliability are paramount. 

2. Low Resource Consumption

In addition to being lightweight, LVGL is designed for low resource consumption, which is an important factor in devices that must run on battery power or energy-efficient platforms. Many medical devices, for instance portable ECG monitors or handheld ultrasound systems, are used in environments where power efficiency is critical. That means they require reliable display performance while conserving battery life. Optimized for low power usage, LVGL can render graphics efficiently without overburdening the device’s CPU or GPU. LVGL ensures that embedded medical devices can deliver rich UIs without draining precious resources. 

3. Real-Time Performance

In medical devices, real-time performance is mission-critical. Devices such as infusion pumps, or patient monitoring systems rely on timely data visualization and fast feedback to help healthcare professionals make critical decisions. Delays or glitches in rendering can lead to misinterpretations of data, which could potentially endanger patient safety. 

LVGL is built to handle real-time rendering of graphical elements without compromising responsiveness. It offers support for time-sensitive updates, such as real-time monitoring of sensor data (heart rate, blood pressure, etc.), and ensures that the display reacts to user inputs immediately. The graphics library also integrates seamlessly with real-time operating systems (RTOS), allowing medical devices to process and display data without conflicts or delays.

4. Easy to Integrate and Highly Customizable

Embedded medical devices require unique, customized interfaces that reflect the device's specific functionality and the needs of healthcare professionals. LVGL offers a highly customizable framework, including custom widgets, graphics, and interactive elements, that allows developers to tailor the UI to reflect the device's specific functionality and the needs of healthcare professionals. 

Additionally, LVGL supports a wide range of microcontroller architectures and development environments, making it easy to incorporate into both new and legacy medical devices. Whether working with ARM Cortex-based systems or more specialized medical processors, LVGL’s portability ensures it fits seamlessly into the embedded ecosystem.

5. High-Quality Display Graphics 

LVGL provides high-quality rendering of text, images and animations, ensuring that medical professionals can read critical data with ease. The library supports anti-aliasing, vector graphics and scalable fonts, all of which contribute to the elevated quality of the UI’s visual output. This ensures that medical data, even in small or low-resolution displays, remains legible and crisp.

6. Robust Community Support and Documentation

As an open-source project, LVGL has a vast, active community offering developers working on embedded medical devices access to a wealth of resources, including tutorials, forums and troubleshooting guides. In addition, LVGL provides comprehensive documentation and example code.

Is LVGL the Right Choice for Your Medical Device Project?

In the world of embedded medical devices, where efficiency, reliability and real-time performance are critical, LVGL stands out as an ideal graphics library. Its lightweight nature, low resource consumption, real-time rendering capabilities, and ease of integration make it an excellent choice for intuitive, high-performance medical device UIs. 

ICS offers comprehensive medical device services and our experienced team can guide you through every aspect of the development lifecycle.  If you need assistance creating an embedded medical device, using LVGL or another technology, get in touch. 

ICS’ Langston Ball and Matt Rentz contributed subject expertise to this blog post.