Executive Overview
In diagnostic imaging, visibility and privacy must coexist without compromising hygiene, workflow, or design. The MRI control room at Lee Health’s Outpatient Center required a privacy control solution that would eliminate blinds and curtains while giving technicians immediate control over the observation window.
Smart Glass Technologies retrofitted the existing glass with PriWatt™ PDLC switchable film, converting a standard window into electronically controlled privacy glass that changes state instantly—clear when visibility is needed, opaque when privacy is essential.
Location: Fort Myers, Florida
Application: MRI Imaging Room Observation Window
Technology: PriWatt™ PDLC Smart Film (retrofit)
Clinical Requirement
MRI procedures involve moments where:
- Patients require complete visual privacy
- Technicians require uninterrupted visual supervision
- Infection-control standards prohibit fabric or mechanical coverings
- The room must maintain a clean, modern clinical appearance
Permanent frosted glass would remove visibility. Curtains would introduce contamination risks. The facility needed a solution that delivered both—on demand.
PriWatt™ PDLC film was applied directly to the interior surface of the observation glass. The technology works at the molecular level:
- Power ON: Liquid crystals align → glass becomes optically clear
- Power OFF: Crystals scatter light → glass becomes fully private
The transition occurs in under a second and functions like an electronic blind—without moving parts, noise, or maintenance.
Low-voltage wiring was concealed within the frame and connected to a simple wall control, preserving the room’s clean lines and minimizing installation impact.
Performance in a Medical Environment
This installation delivered practical advantages aligned with healthcare priorities:
- Immediate privacy during patient positioning and scanning
- Full visual control for technicians without entering the room
- Smooth, disinfectable surface supporting infection-control protocols
- No mechanical systems, dust traps, or maintenance items
- Consistent optical clarity when transparency is required
Staff can adapt the environment to the procedure in real time, improving both workflow and patient experience.
Observed Outcomes
Following installation, the MRI suite benefits from:
- Faster technician response and improved workflow
- Increased patient comfort and dignity during imaging
- A more advanced, professional clinical appearance
- Long-term reliability designed for thousands of switching cycles daily
The system integrates naturally into the imaging routine—becoming part of the workflow rather than an added accessory.
Why This Matters for Healthcare Design
Switchable privacy glass is increasingly specified in:
- MRI and CT rooms
- Treatment and exam rooms
- ICU observation areas
- Operating rooms and nurse stations
These spaces demand hygiene, discretion, and efficiency. Smart glass addresses all three with a single architectural element.
Project Significance
The Lee Health MRI installation demonstrates how existing glass can be upgraded into intelligent privacy control without reconstruction, downtime, or aesthetic compromise. By replacing outdated window treatments with PriWatt™ smart film, the facility achieved a higher standard of privacy, cleanliness, and operational efficiency.
Smart glass is not an accessory in healthcare environments—it is a functional design upgrade aligned with modern clinical standards.
To discuss PriWatt™ smart privacy solutions for imaging rooms and healthcare facilities, contact Smart Glass Technologies for a professional consultation.
