Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) is one of the the most promising healthcare Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) solution areas according to a recent study by ON World a San Diego, CA based market research company. WSN solutions are gearing up to save the healthcare industry $25 billion in 2012 by reducing hospitalizations and extending independent living for seniors, according to ON World.
In 2007, life-saving systems such as ambulatory cardiac monitoring made up the lion’s share of the revenues. However, over the next decade the fastest growing WSN markets will be preventive health and wellness solutions. Governments and industry are working together and investing in technologies such as WSN to address the global $4 trillion dollar healthcare market that is expected to double over the next decade.
AAL Technology enable the elderly to stay independent as long as possible. Additional benefits are that these systems will save millions of dollars annually by avoiding the high cost of institutional care and saving home care workers from unnecessary visits and high gas bills.
WSN technologies such as ZigBee, Z-Wave, and ultra low power WiFi are essential elements of AAL by enabling discreet battery powered sensors to be placed throughout the home. Companies that are currently offering wireless sensor based AAL systems and/or services include CMI/SimplyHome, Grand Care, HealthSense, Living Independently (QuietCare), and Tunstall Group.
Body Sensor Networks (BSNs) consist of wearable or implantable wireless sensors for monitoring vital signs such as heart rate, heart electrical activity (ECG), blood glucose monitoring, and blood oxygen levels. BSNs have the potential to prevent unnecessary hospitalizations as well as improving the rates of recovery and reducing post-operative morbidity. There are dozens of BSN innovations underway by research organizations and commercial companies worldwide that are striving to make these systems more accurate, user-friendly, and comfortable.
Today, wireless BSN systems are available for cardiac monitoring from BioWatch Medical, CardioNet, LifeSync, LifeWatch. In addition, companies such as Alive Technologies, Abbott, Dexcom, LifeScan, Medtronic, and Nonin offer wireless BSN products for diabetes and other chronic disease management applications. Bluetooth has the most support for BSNs with its recently completed Bluetooth Health Device Profile (HDP) and upcoming Bluetooth low energy protocol.
Pervasive Computing for Healthcare The parallel advances of Ambient Assisted Living and Body Sensor Networking has presented the need for advanced middleware software and new standards to provide seamless computing for these heterogeneous systems. For example, a typical home health system may consist of a WiFi home data network, ZigBee or Z-Wave for ambient wireless sensing systems, and Bluetooth or ANT for vital sign monitors. Future at-home health networks will also need to integrate multiple care givers and healthcare practitioners. Organizations and research initiatives that are driving healthcare innovations and standards include CAST, EU’s Ambient Assisted Living Joint Programme, and the Continua Health Alliance.
For more information, visit: http://onworld.com/healthcare
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Telepaediatric Robot
eHealth, telemedicine, telecare, telehealth are new terms describing different aspects of ICT applications in healthcare. Today there are many users groups with different backgrounds and special needs involved in the development and use of ICT solutions for healthcare, prevention and wellness. eHealth is an interdisciplinary field in the intersection of a number of different competences as e.g. medicine and caring sciences, medical informatics and engineering, psychology, social sciences, economics, ethics and law. Telehealth is about delivery of health services at a distance, using a range of communication techniques, such as email, videoconferencing and the Internet. Telecare is about delivery of health services to patients in their own home including electronic monitoring and supervision of patients.
One of the leading eHealth Centres in the world is The Centre for Online Health at the University of Queensland. COH is one of very few research and teaching centres in the world which focus on the evaluation of telehealth for the delivery of health services. Specific areas of expertise include telepaediatrics, teledermatology, and tele-homecare. Current areas of interest include ENT, home palliative care, neurology, retinal screening, automatic email message handling and tele-geriatrics.
The COH has developed a telemedicine system which is mobile and wireless, allowing the unit to be easily transported directly to the bedside of patients when a specialist consultation is required. To suit the context of this application (i.e. paediatrics) the mobile units have been built in the shape of an telepaediatric robot. The robot provides general paediatric support for hospitals without a local paediatrician and/or sub-specialist paediatric support and professional education and support for regional clinicians.
One of the leading eHealth Centres in the world is The Centre for Online Health at the University of Queensland. COH is one of very few research and teaching centres in the world which focus on the evaluation of telehealth for the delivery of health services. Specific areas of expertise include telepaediatrics, teledermatology, and tele-homecare. Current areas of interest include ENT, home palliative care, neurology, retinal screening, automatic email message handling and tele-geriatrics.
The COH has developed a telemedicine system which is mobile and wireless, allowing the unit to be easily transported directly to the bedside of patients when a specialist consultation is required. To suit the context of this application (i.e. paediatrics) the mobile units have been built in the shape of an telepaediatric robot. The robot provides general paediatric support for hospitals without a local paediatrician and/or sub-specialist paediatric support and professional education and support for regional clinicians.
Intel Telehealth Computer
American giant Intel has developed a new telehealth solution for elderly and their monitoring care suppliers. The Intel Health Guide PHS 6000 is a PC customized to monitor vital signs and deliver health services to elderly patients managing chronic health conditions. Based on an Intel motherboard, the system is designed to be simple enough for technophobic users but robust enough to have received FDA Type 2 certification in August, a first for the company.
Patients can measure vital data by themself and communicate with their doctor by videophone. The 4 kg has a 10,4" touch screen, microphone, camera, speaker and a 40GB harddisk. Care personnel can call the patient to examine a health controll. When its time the health computer sound and light up. The patient can also get access to video information. Care suppliers can monitor patients ranked after risk level and focus on most risky people.
The American home care market is valued to US$ 15 billion per year and the emerging field of remote health care expected to reach $5 billion in 2010 and explode to $34 billion by 2015 according to Forrester Research.
Patients can measure vital data by themself and communicate with their doctor by videophone. The 4 kg has a 10,4" touch screen, microphone, camera, speaker and a 40GB harddisk. Care personnel can call the patient to examine a health controll. When its time the health computer sound and light up. The patient can also get access to video information. Care suppliers can monitor patients ranked after risk level and focus on most risky people.
The American home care market is valued to US$ 15 billion per year and the emerging field of remote health care expected to reach $5 billion in 2010 and explode to $34 billion by 2015 according to Forrester Research.
Paro Robot Seal Healing Pet
The social and healing effect of animals for sick elderly is well known and often used to break social isolation and lonelyness. Researchers in Japan have developed Paro, the most interactive "healing pet" made to date, designed to be used for animal therapy without needing actual animals that require special attention. It learns from users and is truly an interactive pet in its responses as well. Paro is modeled on a baby seal, and totally fits the part! It's incredibly soft and lifelike, has an array of sensors, and develops a personality over time that corresponds with how people play with Paro.
Paro has a diurnal rythym of morning, afternoon, and night, five kinds of sensors (tactile, light, audition, temperature, and posture), can recognize light and dark, can feel being stroked and the amount of pressure. Paro understands when it is being held, it can recognize the direction of sound, recognizes its name, greetings, and praise. It remembers interactions and adapts, imitates the voice of a real baby seal and expresses feelings though noises, body movements, and facial expressions.
Retail price: $5,335 (in Japan)
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Assistive Technology for Computer Users
Do you have problems to see, hear, and use your computer? You are not alone. Two-thirds of 50+ have vision, hearing, or dexterity impairments that will impact the use of the computer.
If you are a Windows user, try the built-in bifocals, called Magnifier. It opens a floating window that magnifies a portion of the screen—just like a magnifying glass or pair of bifocals. Internet Explorer 7 has many options to make the Internet easier to see and explore. Try zooming in on a Web page to magnify text, images, and controls.
If you have difficulty hearing videos or other computer sounds, try cranking up the volume. Using headphones can help block out background noise.
Assistive Technology Products:
Alternative input devices allow individuals to control their computers through means other than a standard keyboard or pointing device. Here are some examples:
If you are a Windows user, try the built-in bifocals, called Magnifier. It opens a floating window that magnifies a portion of the screen—just like a magnifying glass or pair of bifocals. Internet Explorer 7 has many options to make the Internet easier to see and explore. Try zooming in on a Web page to magnify text, images, and controls.
If you have difficulty hearing videos or other computer sounds, try cranking up the volume. Using headphones can help block out background noise.
Assistive Technology Products:
Alternative input devices allow individuals to control their computers through means other than a standard keyboard or pointing device. Here are some examples:
- Alternative keyboards with larger or smaller-than-standard keys or keyboards, alternative key configurations, keyboards for one hand use
- On-screen keyboards On-screen keyboards
- Electronic pointing devices
- Devices used include ultrasound, infrared beams, eye movements, nerve signals, or brain waves
- Sip-and-puff systems
- Wands and sticks
- Joysticks
- Trackballs
- Touch screens
There are also many output tools supporting users with impairments.
- Braille embossers
- Reading tools and learning disabilities programs
- Screen readers
- Speech recognition or voice recognition programs
- Text-to-Speech (TTS) or speech synthesizers
- Talking and large-print word processors
- TTY/TDD conversion modems
For more tips visit Microsoft Accessibility Page.
Telemedicin safes life and money
With an aging population, hypertension (high blood pressure) and cardio-vascular diseases (CVD) are major epidemics that significantly reduce quality of life and life expectancy on a global basis, afflicting approximately 25% of all adults, and more half of those older than 60. More and more people with chronic conditions, people at high risk, or the elderly will need support to participate in their own care, in close collaboration with their caregivers.
Telemedicin is new solution to connect patients with healthcare providers any time any place. Patients conduct medical tests in the comfort of their own home and the results are transmitted through telephone lines. Healthcare providers use telemedicine in order to improve quality of care and patient access to specialists, to facilitate early discharge from hospitals, to reduce transportation expenses and increase cost efficiency. The use of telemedicine enhances communication between patients and health care providers and simplifies the delivery of health care services.
Award winning Aerotel, (1) a world leader in cost-effective, high quality, transtelephonic telemedicin systeme, offers a complete system for patient monitoring consisting of medical call center software and compact, reliable, transtelephonic and digital monitoring devices that effectively transfer vital medical or lifestyle data over the telephone, the Internet or wireless networks. A modular monitoring systems transmitts ECG, blood pressure values, blood glucose level, pulse oximeter, weight, or other vital sign data reliably to a monitoring center enabling accurate diagnosis. The patient information and the transmitted data can be viewed locally or via the Internet.
(1) Aerotel won the "Patient Monitoring Company of the Year Award 2006" and the "Innovation and Growth Strategy Leadership of the Year Award 2007" by Frost & Sullivan.
Telemedicin is new solution to connect patients with healthcare providers any time any place. Patients conduct medical tests in the comfort of their own home and the results are transmitted through telephone lines. Healthcare providers use telemedicine in order to improve quality of care and patient access to specialists, to facilitate early discharge from hospitals, to reduce transportation expenses and increase cost efficiency. The use of telemedicine enhances communication between patients and health care providers and simplifies the delivery of health care services.
Award winning Aerotel, (1) a world leader in cost-effective, high quality, transtelephonic telemedicin systeme, offers a complete system for patient monitoring consisting of medical call center software and compact, reliable, transtelephonic and digital monitoring devices that effectively transfer vital medical or lifestyle data over the telephone, the Internet or wireless networks. A modular monitoring systems transmitts ECG, blood pressure values, blood glucose level, pulse oximeter, weight, or other vital sign data reliably to a monitoring center enabling accurate diagnosis. The patient information and the transmitted data can be viewed locally or via the Internet.
(1) Aerotel won the "Patient Monitoring Company of the Year Award 2006" and the "Innovation and Growth Strategy Leadership of the Year Award 2007" by Frost & Sullivan.
Independent living with assistive technologies
Smart Technology for Aging, Disability, and Independence: The State of the Science by Willioam C. Mann, WileyBlackwell 2005, is an in–depth overview of the current development and future trends on assistive technologies and ow its applications can promote continuing independence for older persons and those with disabilities. Leading experts from multiple disciplines worldwide have contributed to this volume, making it the definitive resource. The text begins with a thorough introduction that presents important concepts, defines key terms, and identifies demographic trends at work. Using detailed product descriptions, photographs and illustrations, and case studies, subsequent chapters discuss cutting-edge technologies, including:
- Wearable systems
- Human-computer interactions
- Assisted vision and hearing
- Smart wheelchairs
- Handheld devices and smart phones
- Visual sensors
- Home automation
- Assistive robotics
- In-room monitoring systems
- Telehealth
The author examines specific high-technology solutions, recent trends in other critical areas, such as basic assistive technologies, driving, transportation and community mobility, home modifications and design, and changing standards of elder care.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Robot assisted walking for workers and elderly
The need for assisting technology is expected to grow in Japan, which has one of the most rapidly aging societies in the world. Three japanese companies are leading the development of robot assisted walkers, Honda, Toyota and Cyberdyne.
Honda unveilled November 07, 2008 a new wearable assisted-walking device designed to support bodyweight, reduce stress on the knees and help people get up steps and stay in crouching positions. The assisted walker can be used by workers at auto or other factories. Honda showed a video of Honda employees wearing the device and bending to peer underneath vehicles on an assembly line. The robot walke is useful for people standing in long lines and for people who run around to make deliveries. 
The system has a computer, motor, gears, battery and sensors embedded in it so it responds to a person's movements, according to Honda Motor Co. Pricing and commercial product plans are still undecided. Honda will begin testing a prototype with its assembly line workers later this month for feedback. 
Honda unveilled November 07, 2008 a new wearable assisted-walking device designed to support bodyweight, reduce stress on the knees and help people get up steps and stay in crouching positions. The assisted walker can be used by workers at auto or other factories. Honda showed a video of Honda employees wearing the device and bending to peer underneath vehicles on an assembly line. The robot walke is useful for people standing in long lines and for people who run around to make deliveries.
The system has a computer, motor, gears, battery and sensors embedded in it so it responds to a person's movements, according to Honda Motor Co. Pricing and commercial product plans are still undecided. Honda will begin testing a prototype with its assembly line workers later this month for feedback.
In August Honda has shown a similar but simpler belted device. It has motors on the left and right, which hook up to frames that strap at the thighs, helping the walker maintain a proper stride. That device, being tested at one Japanese facility, helps rehabilitation programs for the disabled, encouraging them to take steps.
Toyota Motor Corp. unveild in August 2008 a Segway-like personal transport assistance robot (PTAR) meant for old people. Designed to contribute to society by helping people enjoy a safe and fully mobile life, the PTAR is a compact next-generation everyday transport tool that offers advanced ease of use and expands the user's range of mobility.
Japanese robot company Cyberdyne has begun renting out in Japan a belted device called HAL, for "hybrid assistive limb," that reads brain signals to help people move about with mechanical leg braces that strap to the legs.
eHealth in Denmark
Denmark is one of the leading eHealth nations in Europe. Since 1977 a unique patient identifier and a national patient registry are in use and Denmark has invested in secure infrastructure with PKI/digital signature, a healthcare information network, established in 1994 and now 97% coverage. In 2003 a general e-health portal was established with the overall goal to
- bring together future electronic communication between patients and the health care service.
- function as a communication tool for the stakeholders of the health care service.
- give citizens and/or patients an overview of the organization of the health care service and information related to the use of the health care service; and support the patient in attending to his own health and his health care situation.
- put expert information at the disposal of health care professionals.
Multipe projects have been started in disease management, targeting chronic patients and in wellness management, targeting general population health as part of the e-health portal.
The Centre for Pervasive Healthcare was established in 2002 and covers the application of ubiquitous computing technology (pervasive computing) to support healthcare services. Pervasive Healthcare is based on user-driven innovation, and the ideas of the users of healthcare services (staff, patients and citizens) constitute the nucleus of the effort.
Interactive Healthcare via Internet
Internactive health care at home is a new approach that can help patients and their families to get their chronic condition safely monitored, in coordination with the patient's care team. An interactive healthcare solution can reduce the workload required to administer personalized disease management programs across broader patient populations. Healthcare costs an be reduces by remote monitoring and leads to fewer admissions and shorter hospital stays. Multimedia information services can suppport patient self-care and behaviour change.
One of the large players in telehealth is Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands. For over seven years, Philips' award-winning telemonitoring devices enables disease management firms, home care agencies and healthcare providers to remotely monitor chronic disease patients in their homes. Clinicians can monitor vital signs and send patients short health status surveys to make more timely care decisions and help prevent unnecessary hospitalizations.
Philips Medical Systems has developed an interactive healthcare platform called Motiva that connects patients with chronic conditions, e.g. (Chronic) Heart Failure, Diabetes Mellitus, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), to their healthcare providers – via the home television and a broadband internet connection. Motiva automates disease management activities, and engages patients with personalized daily interactions and education delivered through the home television. The system enables healthcare providers to motivate behavior change through user-friendly technology, helping them meet goals for improved patient compliance, telehealth program efficiency, and lower healthcare costs.
Philips Medical Systems now has estimated annual sales of Euro 6.0 billion and employs approximately 31,000 people in more than 63 countries.
One of the large players in telehealth is Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands. For over seven years, Philips' award-winning telemonitoring devices enables disease management firms, home care agencies and healthcare providers to remotely monitor chronic disease patients in their homes. Clinicians can monitor vital signs and send patients short health status surveys to make more timely care decisions and help prevent unnecessary hospitalizations.
Philips Medical Systems has developed an interactive healthcare platform called Motiva that connects patients with chronic conditions, e.g. (Chronic) Heart Failure, Diabetes Mellitus, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), to their healthcare providers – via the home television and a broadband internet connection. Motiva automates disease management activities, and engages patients with personalized daily interactions and education delivered through the home television. The system enables healthcare providers to motivate behavior change through user-friendly technology, helping them meet goals for improved patient compliance, telehealth program efficiency, and lower healthcare costs.
Philips Medical Systems now has estimated annual sales of Euro 6.0 billion and employs approximately 31,000 people in more than 63 countries.
Telerobotic Shopping
A prototype of the telerobotic shopper based on a TMSUK-4 humanoid robot was demonstrated on July 10 at the Izutsuya department store in the city of
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Friday, November 7, 2008
Foresight in Time
Welcome to my weblog about Ambient Assisted Living (AAL), a new concept to support people with intelligent technology. A wide range of services and products is developed to enhance and prolong personal freedom, autonomy and individual independence.
The central idea is to design a network of sensitive and reactive devices which collects and processes information from various sensors enabling a functional effect on the surrounding environment and its users. The intelligent environment becomes an invisible, interactive aid for its users.
The target group encompasses people in all work and leisure life situations, especially the elderly living alone and/or people with disabilities. Today we are about 67 million people living in Europe aged 65 years or more. In 2030 there will be 97 million. A very large group of people that can work together to find, develop och use better solutions for a good life.
Thematic areas of AAL are: home care, safety, security and privacy, supply with goods and chores, health & wellness, social interaction, mobility, working life, information & learing, hobbies.
Here you can find news, reports, information about new solutions, products and services that can make your life easier, safer, more convenient, today or in the future.
If you have ideas, solutions or questions, please contribute or contact us.
The central idea is to design a network of sensitive and reactive devices which collects and processes information from various sensors enabling a functional effect on the surrounding environment and its users. The intelligent environment becomes an invisible, interactive aid for its users.
The target group encompasses people in all work and leisure life situations, especially the elderly living alone and/or people with disabilities. Today we are about 67 million people living in Europe aged 65 years or more. In 2030 there will be 97 million. A very large group of people that can work together to find, develop och use better solutions for a good life.
Thematic areas of AAL are: home care, safety, security and privacy, supply with goods and chores, health & wellness, social interaction, mobility, working life, information & learing, hobbies.
Here you can find news, reports, information about new solutions, products and services that can make your life easier, safer, more convenient, today or in the future.
If you have ideas, solutions or questions, please contribute or contact us.
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