Medigenic Infection Control keyboard will be easy to clean when the zombies attack
By Laura June 
posted April 15th 2009 5:02PM
posted April 15th 2009 5:02PM
We don't have a phobia about germs or anything, but this keyboard still really strikes our fancy. Designed by Esterline Advanced Input Systems for use in hospitals, the Medigenic Infection Control keyboard boasts a couple of features that make it less likely to be infested with disgusting germs, as well as easier to clean. First off -- it's a flat surface, and has no "keys" -- just the 3D-looking printed keyboard layout -- so that you don't get crumbs, dirt, or anything else trapped in there. It also has a disable key, so that you can turn off the keys for quick cleaning, and a customizable reminder system to let you know when it's ready for a wipe down. A companion mouse is also available. The keyboard is available for $140, and the mouse is $80.
[Via Oh Gizmo!]
[Via Oh Gizmo!]
First
To get low ranked.
We won't give you that satisfaction... +1
Aw come on, I'm building a trophy case here and i'm only missing a low ranked.
I don't know what to do!
low rank... high rank... low rank... high rank...
Do we get on to him for shouting 'first' or do we congratulate him for figuring out he was
Brain overload!
Pedantic, and self indulgent rubbish.
Paula?
We already have these at work (8 months ago?) in my hospitals A&E department. If only the staff would take heed of the "clean" light when it comes on. The whole department has flashing keyboards every time I go down there to fix something. V_V
Something this article didn't mention is that these are actually backlit (Blue) too. Shines though the membrane, pretty cool.
A few of the people in my office would make that keyboard flash all day. There's a lady in the sales department with a green and black mouse (I was originally a white mouse). :/
I feel sorry for you then, mr green and brown mouse.
OR.... you don't click anything at all and leave him to wallow in his neutral pity
You stole my comment from a few weeks ago. And I got lowest ranked.
These aren't new. We've had them in the hospital where I work (NHS England) ever since I became a doctor.
I think medgadget might be right up your ally.
http://medgadget.com/
So essentially, it's wipe on, wipe (when) off?
Nice try, Mister Miyagi would be proud.
Not.
do they really masturbate to internet porn THAT much in hospitals?
i totally need this if you know what i mean
Trust me, I know why you need one. It's for the same reason I need it...
thwap, thwap, thwap!
If the sound you hear is "thwap", you're definitely doing it wrong
LOL! What would make a thw-... oh. Huh.
thats adorable, i want one. esspecially because my desk is also my dining room table, would be nice
No tactile feel? but that's what makes a keyboard a keyboard. This just gives a new meaning to the touch typist.
The smart thing to do to keep the keyboard easy to clean but still able to be used without looking would be to raise up the keys like bumps but keep them all connected in between.
is the mouse flat too?
Bring back the Atari 400!
..and this is better than the membrane KBs already out there, how? Oh, it's higher priced, it has to be better!
Neat thing about US hospitals. They can ONLY use approved electronics because it is considered medical equipment.
Thats why hospitals have to shell out $2,000 for a 36GB, 256MB of RAM, 350MHZ RISC tower. Yeah... so if they managed to get on the list of approved hardware and cost less than $500, then I am sure these will sell really well.
This would be perfect for my OCD wife.
they need these in colleges, keyboards in the PC labs always have some weird ass grime on them...
Honestly, nice concept but too ugly, imo. Make it black with lighting under the keys like that Optimus.
So basically this is a trackpad mouse and one of those keypads they have at Burger King for $220?
First I thought the 3d effect was just a stupid gimmick
However, maybe there is a psychological element to why people find it so hard to type on totally flat keyboard, and maybe visually simulating a more familiar 3D keyboard will help.
Admittedly, this is no good for touch typists, but could help yer average hunt and pecker.
which, from my experience, most doctors are.
HElp, i commented twice on the engadget giveaway, how do i deactivate one of the comments?
LOL!!! man if I was drinking something I would have totally spewed it out over my laptop...funniest thing I've read all day!
Just click on your name, login, and go from there.
You can't undo comments. You're stuck with your stupidity and ineligibility to win prizes. Sorry.
Do you think they really tabulate those 100000 posts and check for duplicates? I'm sure they just check for obvious crap like people posting a hundred times and for the rest they just close their eyes and pick the runner up and then open their eyes and pick their pals to win >:)
.... but how do you clean the disable key?
It is a timed disable...
Easy to clean! Hard to type~
i don't understand these... anyone actually gotten a wicked disease from their keyboard before?
lick the innards of one and see!
"dear diary, I feel strange today! hope it's nothing serious.."
Now that I've read this, I can't stop staring at all the grime on my keyboard. How does my comma key have so much crap on it yet my spacebar is relatively clean?
Thanks Engadget, for giving me an OCD freak out.
Cos you hit comma a lot and it's small, but your space key is massive and will often get hit slightly differently lol
THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID.
Ok, I'll crawl back into my corner now.
trust me if the zombies attack don't go to the hospital. thats where it spreads the fastest.
I can do the same for $20, or less.
It does have tactile feel. It's essentially a normal keyboard with a membrane over the top. Same goes for the mouse. Only the keyboard has a clean sensor and light on it. Also the backlight on the keyboard can be switched on and off with the button in the top right hand corner of the keyboard. Had these in the A&E department where I work for over half a year now.
I have been using these in several hospitals in the UK for about a year. They are to reduce the spread of infections in hospital by removing a vector for bug transmission. However, they are crap to type on, the mouse is flimsy and at least one I have used broke and nobody bothers to clean them anyway.
In infection control terms, I reckon the effect is a drop in the ocean.
When looking for super viruses, lick this keyboard first.
If you have a cat, and you hate him, buy this keyboard.