Use semiconductor implementation between doctor and patient information management

One area that has no other than healthcare more strongly felt pressure to change. Medical institutions and services sector is an urgent need to reduce costs, but the problem is that you cannot affect the patient's quality of life. Reduce staff, equipment costs and energy consumption and limiting hospitalization time, all help to lower health care costs, but the cost to the patient, and how high? this is a serious challenge, medical service providers are dependent on technology, at a reasonable cost, to successfully respond to provide better health care challenges.

Semiconductor technology on the health care system has had a profound impact.

Patient monitoring, drug dispensing and many other application can capture patient information, quick processing of these data, and then through the hospital network information transmission will be key to the required information, thereby enhancing human resource capacity. Monitoring system from almost anywhere in the world to transfer data back and forth, this not only without the need to increase the human resource workload to provide precise data transmission, but also for many applications to anyone with an Internet connection of the family. In some cases, this type of system can control treatment programmes, such as prescription drugs, according to predetermined schedule.

To achieve this type of remote monitoring and data processing, first of all you will need a sensor, control and communication functions of the simple platform that may contain a single RF transceiver to enhance portability, simplified operation.

From off-the-shelf components simple chipset can at a reasonable cost, provide sensing, control, transmit all the required information.

Figure 1 shows the three chipset components interact. We need a micro-controller (in this case, a member of MC9S08GT series), to receive information from the sensor, then the sensor then send information to a low-power transceiver. The micro controller can be any on the market today a general 8-bit microcontroller with a/d converter (ADC), as well as the required dedicated embedded memory specifically for wireless transceiver on networking standards (for example, simple proprietary wireless protocol IEEE802.15.4 and ZigBee).

Figure 1: use Freescale Semiconductor provides an example of a component's chipset, Freescale Semiconductor may for medical and other industrial or consumer applications for sensing, control, and ZigBee RF function.

Moreover, micro-controller and the transceiver can be combined in a package, create a more compact and efficient solution.

Figure 2 shows the Freescale's system in package (SIP), SIP uses a consistent with IEEE802.15.4 standard wireless transceivers and HCS08 microcontroller core.

Figure 2: Freescale's MC1321xSIP using compatible MC1319x transceivers and 8-bit HCS08 microcontroller core.

Sensor technology

The sensor is monitoring the status of the contact point for patients.

Pressure sensor and accelerometer can be in various medical surveillance applications. In Figure 1 chipset example, all other components are used for processing and dissemination of information on the sensor acquisition.

Typical Piezoresistive sensor (typically use pressure sensor) by etching of Silicon diaphragm, the diaphragm on implantation of Piezoresistive elements.

Physical pressure (such as air pressure increase), Piezoresistive material changes the resistance. Silicon Piezoresistive pressure sensors provide very accurate linear voltage output, and pressure directly proportional.

Acceleration sensor and also by changing the voltage output level display in the operation of the change.

High acceleration sensors — covers the Freescale's MMA6280Q dual-axis (X, z) low gravity acceleration devices — far less than the pressure sensor complex. It consists of two surface micro-mechanical capacitive sensing unit (g-cell) and contained in a single integrated circuit package composed of signal conditioning ASIC. Sensing element using MEMS wafer, sealed in wafer layers.

G-cell is a use of semiconductor process formation mechanical structure, it is a set of connection in the center axis of the beam, the central axis between the two beams.

G-cell beams constitute two back-to-back capacitors, as the centre beam acceleration mobile, two beam distance between is constantly changing, each capacitance value is changing. ASIC using Exchange capacitor technology to measure g-cell capacitance and capacitance from the two differences between the data extraction speed. ASIC also for signal conditioning and signal filtering, which provides acceleration proportional high output voltage.

G-cell schema can be used to develop some different acceleration sensor.

Freescale has developed low-gravity MMA7260Q Triaxial acceleration sensor (measurement of X, y, and Z axes of movement), but also a step forward. In order to demonstrate the functionality of the acceleration sensor, Freescale has developed a three-axis sensor reference Board (STAR), is designed to help customers in the medical monitoring and market implementation of key application of accelerometers. In the past few years, the accelerometer has been significant changes, including increased sensitivity, low power consumption reduction, reduced package size. Similar tools such as STAR helps developers understand how to better utilize the latest technology advances.

Sensors and micro-controller applications

The sensor offers a 3 v or 5 v, analog output, must be processed before they can be sent and saved for use by medical personnel for analysis.

A cheap generic ADC in 8-bit microcontrollers is enough to do it. Essentially, the sensor will generate analog signal and the signal input to the ADC, and then through the communication interface (such as RF transceivers) or direct universal serial bus (USB) connection, process them, converted into a computer or the monitor can use digital signals. More precise ADC (such as 10-bit and 8-bit) to ensure greater clarity of input and output signals.

In General, 8-bit processing speed are sufficient to handle the data rate and algorithm of compression and decompression functions.

However, they need Flash capacity depends to a large extent on the use of communication transceivers AssociationProposed. For example, the data processing compatible ZigBee required memory is much lower than the simple point to point wireless connection. Sensor and 8-bit controller, provides a compact, cost-effective solution, while the consumption of power is low, but to collect and handle a large number of useful data. These data can be related radio frequency devices, sent to the remote location, or to provide on-site treatment services. Some sensors and micro-controller's prices are very cheap, that can be used in a single system, these systems may only run a few days will be discarded and replaced.

Such technology is an interesting application of Insulet OmniPod Corporation companies. insulin management system

OmniPod is designed to replace traditional islet pump, these older devices require diabetic patients learning to use them, but also to carry large amounts of heavy components, such as insulin, infusion and blood glucose meters, etc. OmniPod system consists of two complete integration of wireless components, namely: a small self-adhesive one-time OmniPod insulin storage and delivery system with wireless receiver and individual blood glucose Manager (PDM); a PDA size for handheld devices (with micro controller and radio transmitter). Patients can use the handheld device to program the OmniPod issue custom insulin dosing instructions. It also can monitor the operation of the OmniPod contains an integrated blood glucose meter, you can automatically save the record. The system in accordance with pre-determined personal base rate and the insulin dose to delivery.

Personal diabetes Manager (Personal Diabetes Manager, PDM) design is very compact enough to carry in your pocket or purse.

OmniPod in semiconductor and shape memory alloy wire activation (for insulin dosage) component of the price is very cheap, the entire device in use for several days once they have been discarded. Through this type of application, the patient can be cost effective and more comfortable environment (such as in their home) manage their own treatment. In addition, they can also extend similar controller device's wireless capabilities for direct connection to the Internet gateway, thus directly and medical service providers Exchange test results and dosage information.

Using sensor technology of another instance is not only to monitor patients ' symptoms, as well as determine the symptoms appear in what circumstances.

For example, for those suffering from incontinence treated patients, you can use a pressure sensor, micro controller and radio frequency transceiver durable equipment, monitoring even the very small leaks, and transfer time and traffic data, these data will be saved for future analysis. If the system also includes the accelerometer, you can record all the activities of, such as lying, standing, walking and running, helping nursing staff to determine whether there are some specific physical activities triggered by factors, to implement more effective measures.

Wireless connection

Wireless communication technology enables portable sensing and processing equipment become patient and nursing personnel more effective.

It also enables the device to seamlessly transfer data to other networks, such as hospitals, Ethernet, CAN system or the Internet for global access. In Figure 1, Freescale low-power MC1319x 2.4GHz ISM band transceiver with series provides short-range data link and network provides a cost-effective solution. Through 4-wire serial peripheral interface (SPI) connections, users with a variety of microcontrollers for direct communication. Software and processor can be extended to accommodate a variety of applications, from simple point-to-point system until complete ZigBee Networking.

To perform simple proprietary wireless connections, you only need one physical layer (PHY) and point-to-point and STAR Network application of simple media access controller software (SMAC).

Simple memory requirements of the wireless connection, for inadequate 2.5Kb extremely low power requirements of the application, it is very cost-effective, these applications include portable disposable medical monitoring equipment.

In 2003, the IEEE 802.15.4 standard published based on a simple packet data protocol for lightweight wireless network.

This powerful communication protocol includes 802.15.4PHY and media access controller (MAC). For those who need long battery life, the need for controllers, sensors and remote monitoring applications provide optional delay, 802.15.4 use effect is very good. 802.15.4 for simple wireless connection provides better security, to the mesh and cluster tree network applications.

IEEE802.15.4 agreement standard feature also is fully compatible with the ZigBee standard embedded platform.

ZigBee stack includes the network and secure layers, application frameworks, application configuration files (can be loaded into line with the standard 802.15.4 transceiver). Figure 3 a simple wireless connection, in line with the standard 802.15.4 ZigBee Platform of solutions, which are comparing them to the microcontroller memory requirements (use of Freescale's S08 kernel) and wireless transceiver example (MC1319x series devices).

Figure 3: comparison applies to medical monitoring application of the three requirements of wireless communication solutions, they all use Freescale S08 microcontroller core and the MC1319x wireless transceiver.

ZigBee has several attractive features, making it the medical surveillance of the most competitive candidate.

Many applications are scheduled to run, or run a relatively short period of time. In order to keep power consumption reduced to minimum, greatly extending the battery life, ZigBee and Bluetooth you can enter a sleep mode, only when necessary, the wake-up and communication in order to extend battery life. Wi-Fi cannot sleep-wake-Hibernate mode running efficiently, so it must be always on, which makes it suitable for many applications.

ZigBee and Bluetooth are available on the

Very short work cycle run (1% of working cycle means that the application only in 1% of the time is running), but latency is a major advantage of ZigBee. Bluetooth device may take several seconds to wake up and be synchronized with the network and start communication. On the contrary, the ZigBee communication does not need to be before the synchronization from the wake-up to communication latency down to 27 Ms. This way you can achieve more accurate schedule, wakeup in each period to extend battery life.

ZigBee can also increase the memory or appropriate software, from simple point-to-point applications extended to large mesh network environment.

Communications extension

Hospitals and other medical facilities more dependent on network traffic to move large amounts of data, so that other necessary data to more easily access.

Controller area network (CAN) was originally developed for automotive applications, you can connect a series relies on sharing information instrument and monitor. CAN be connected to the Ethernet backbone, the entire medical institution-wide data transfer. However, hospital use most devices are portable, usually seated in the cart. Through short-distance wireless communication, you can implement and building a permanent connection to the backbone network, even if the stroller constantly pushed from one room to another room.

Similarly, family medical monitoring devices, Wi access points or home networking gateway cable or DSL connection to the Internet.

Once the Internet connection, the patient's key supervisory information can be accessed through a dedicated Web site, dedicated Web site may also provide for medical staff on patient medical records for quick access. Hospitals only needs to manage data from multiple sources of information, which information for effective analysis, realization between doctor and patient's faster, more accurate response.

Medical monitoring gateway

Today's medical staff gets patient information channels than ever before, however, in urgent cases without data interconnect, analysis, and response, you will not be able to implement the diversity of information.

One of the emerging key applications from medical monitoring gateway, the gateway to allow medical staff from the local and Central station monitoring and connected devices. From different hospital room equipment such as gas masks, heart monitors and pharmaceutical controller, etc. are taken from the central station for secure remote monitoring. Bedside and medical-related equipment can connect through Ethernet to microprocessor-based medical monitoring of local gateway, if this is the traditional medical equipment, serial RS-232 port to connect to the monitor gateway. Under normal circumstances, each side of the gateway is a central router has a wire connection, and connection to the central station.

Health gateway using microprocessor must provide connectivity and security, extend product life.

For the application of specialized design of the latest generation of microprocessor offers a variety of connection options, such as multiple 10/100 fast Ethernet controller, USB and queued serial peripheral interface. The latest generation of microprocessor helps in the overall security Ethernet networks to provide secure point-to-point communication, without impact to system performance. For from the bedside equipment received data, microprocessors will encrypt, and then from Ethernet to send it to the front of the central station. At the central station to decrypt the data and analysis.

Figure 4: use Freescale MCF5275ColdFire embedded processor medical monitoring gateways block diagram.

In addition to the base station from a remote central monitoring specified room bedside medical equipment, medical personnel will also want to use the USB interface, and the patient wards to access the same data.

For example, use with USBOn-The-Go (OTG) port of the PDA, the user can gateway USB-Ethernet adapter port to access the system. USB-OTG is new to the USB2.0 specification supplement, by increasing the USB peripherals connectivity, enhancing existing mobile devices and USB peripherals of existing features. With this additional USB functionality, the medical service provider can be used in patients at the hospital when the patient status tracking.

Personal contact

In General, nothing can substitute for voice communication.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a very interesting technology, consumer and enterprise users of growing popularity and shows it in the enormous potential of medical services. It can provide more of a voice communication service. For example, beds can use VoIP technology, and the nurses station and other departments for wireless communication. As a result of information as the packets on the Internet, so you can transfer to almost any place, such as the number of hospital service center processing area, or transfer to a personal mobile phone, to adapt to the ever-expanding the doctor/patient relationship. Furthermore, VoIP text and voice data can be saved directly to the database in order to meet the needs of rapid retrieval, avoid using bulky tape storage systems.

A brief summary of this article

Hospitals must begin with unprecedented high efficiency for recording, processing, transmission, storage capacity is enormous data, while also cutting costs, this is indeed a very demanding requirements.

The world of hospitals and clinics, semiconductor technology is helping health care industry to achieve this goal. In addition, the semiconductor technology also provides some tools to allow patients to have more time to stay at home, and the reduction in hospitals and other medical facilities to help patients enjoy life. And by advanced network communications, doctors can access to homes, making virtual families call, medical service providers will have access to timely, accurate information, and use this information to more efficiently manage treatment. Semiconductor technology will the doctor/patient relationship extends to the family, extends to any place in the world. It is for the patient and medical staff is a very useful technique.