Wireless Applications in Mobile Telemedicine

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Wireless Applications in Mobile Telemedicine

• Kent Tonkin,
• Assistant Director for IT, CERMUSA

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CERMUSA 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.

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Medical Communications Needs

• Continuous audio communication
• Vital signs (EKG, SPO2)
• Offline data storage

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Technology Overview
Technology Goals

• Vital signs
• Images/motion video
• Multiple pipelines
• Use of public infrastructure vs. establishing
  infrastructure

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Technology Overview

• Technology Difficulties

• Sporadic mobile coverage
• Questionable bandwidth
• Combined pipelines
• Relevant equipment availability

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Technology Overview

• Currently using AMPS, Spread Spectrum (2.4 GHz)
  and UHF (licensing in process)

• Attempted transmission Audio, patient
  data/vitals, video

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The Plan
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Difficulties so far.

• Bandwidth, bandwidth, bandwidth
• IP routing over low bandwidth
• Handling other forms of data

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Video from an Ambulance?

• H.323 VTC
• 2.4 GHz Spread Spectrum
• Dual mobile and fixed antennae
• Variable coverage/line of sight

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Mobile H.323 Gateway
Stand-alone IP VTC
Wireless TCP/IP Network Connection
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Will it work?

• Best possible outcomes will continue to improve
• More bandwidthmore possibilities
• All communications converge on single standard

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Next Steps

• New diversity switch
• Satellite data
• Experimentation on real world bandwidth
  (4800-19.2kbps)
• Digital radios

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New Technology Challenges

• Cost/Investment
• How standard are standards?
• Quality
• Path of progression (3G)
• Security
• Technology conflicts

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Questions?
www.cermusa.francis.edu