Abstract:

Communication technology has undergone remarkable developments over the last few decades. With the complex integration of computers, networks, and the Internet, huge amount of information are exchanged and employed extensively. Developing and introducing laboratory modules for training undergraduate students involving applications of communication technology, is a formidable challenge. An emerging application of such technologies is telemedicine, where the use of signals, voice, images, video and other data pertaining to patients are transferred from a remote site to clinicians for teleconsulting and telediagnosis. Training students in telemedicine is exceptionally difficult. The objective of the proposed research is to design a new simulation laboratory involving a telemedicine system model for cardiac patients for the purpose of providing hands-on project work and training in simulation, data acquisition, data analysis, networking and problem solving.

Telemedicine corresponds to providing health care in terms of monitoring, diagnosis and therapy over a distance. It is the ability to enable interactions of patients with physicians utilizing modern technology. The post-operative follow up of cardiac patients with the appropriate application of telemedicine technology coupled with a decision support system could lead to improved management of health care delivery. As telemedicine technology progresses, it improves the efficiency of health care delivery and can lead to savings in time and money. With telemedicine technology, people from remote areas can stay at home for check-ups or post surgery visits instead of traveling to a hospital. Wired connections between patients and monitors greatly restrict the ability of the patients to be mobile.

A telemedicine-in-a-lab system is designed to simulate a telemedicine system employing a variety of computer, network, wired, and wireless technologies. The system is designed to simulate patients with sensors and monitors in a telemetry configuration. In a real telemedicine system, once discharged from the hospital for cardiac surgery, the patient returns home and is connected to physiological sensors and a patient monitor, all linked to a local workstation. With the help of a caregiver, the patient’s post-operative status is monitored. The above scheme is simulated with a few patient stations and a central receiving station. The physiological sensors attached to a patient monitor his heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and other vital signs are simulated by a microprocessor controlled simulator. Both wired and wireless configurations are considered. For educational purposes, the simulator and the local workstation are placed within the same laboratory, and the laboratory is also simulated to be like a real working hospital environment. The telemedicine simulation system design is completed. Implementation is in progress.

The experimental aspects are worked out. Signals outputted from the simulator undergo signal conditioning then feeds to the modulator. Then the signal is transmitted in digital waveform. Once the receiver receives the signal, it is fed to the demodulator and signal processing. Upon finish processing, the information are stored in database and displayed on monitor. It is envisioned that the proposed simulation system will be very helpful in training the students on physiological data acquisition, signal communication, and analysis.