wireless applications in mobile telemedicine kent tonkin, assistant director for it, cermusa
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Wireless Applications in Wireless Applications in Mobile TelemedicineMobile Telemedicine
Kent Tonkin,
Assistant Director for IT, CERMUSA
CERMUSA DefinedCERMUSA Defined• Research Center• Saint Francis University, Loretto, PA• Identify Sustainable Technology
Solutions for improved ACCESS to quality healthcare and education in rural, isolated and/or under-served areas.
The Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically Under-Served Areas
Medical Communications NeedsMedical Communications Needs
• Continuous audio communication• Vital signs (EKG, SPO2)• “Offline” data storage
The Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically Under-Served Areas
Technology OverviewTechnology OverviewTechnology Goals
• Vital signs• Images/motion video• Multiple pipelines• Use of public infrastructure
vs. establishing infrastructure
The Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically Under-Served Areas
Technology OverviewTechnology Overview
Technology Difficulties• Sporadic mobile coverage• Questionable bandwidth• Combined pipelines• Relevant equipment
availability
The Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically Under-Served Areas
Technology OverviewTechnology Overview
• Currently using AMPS, Spread Spectrum (2.4 GHz) and UHF (licensing in process)
•Attempted transmission: Audio, patient data/vitals, video
The Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically Under-Served Areas
The PlanThe Plan
UHF VHF
CellularOther
Hospital Receive Site
Spread Spectrum
Intelligent Router
Difficulties so far….Difficulties so far….• Bandwidth, bandwidth, bandwidth• IP routing over low bandwidth• Handling other forms of data
The Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically Under-Served Areas
Video from an Ambulance? Video from an Ambulance? • H.323 VTC• 2.4 GHz Spread Spectrum• Dual mobile and fixed antennae• Variable coverage/line of sight
The Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically Under-Served Areas
Mobile H.323 GatewayMobile H.323 Gateway
GatewayPublic Network
Wireless TCP/IP Network
Connection
Stand-alone IP VTC
Will it work?Will it work?
• Best possible outcomes will continue to improve
• More bandwidth=more possibilities• All communications converge on single
standard
The Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically Under-Served Areas
Next StepsNext Steps
• New “diversity” switch• Satellite data• Experimentation on “real world”
bandwidth (4800-19.2kbps)• Digital radios
The Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically Under-Served Areas
New Technology ChallengesNew Technology Challenges
• Cost/Investment• How “standard” are standards?• Quality• Path of progression (3G)• Security• Technology conflicts
The Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically Under-Served Areas
Questions?Questions?
www.cermusa.francis.eduwww.cermusa.francis.edu