Olaf Such

Wearable approach for continuous ECG - and activity patient-monitoring

The paper describes an approach to monitor a persons ECG and activity continuously with functional clothing. A belt with integrated electronics has been developed and has proven long-term robustness of all electrical components. A low-power module measures the ECG signal as well as the acceleration (2-axis) and stores data continuously up to two days. A user test has been performed to evaluate the belt according to system performance at different daily-life activities like sleeping, walking and so on. System parameters are ECG-signal quality, system up-time, and ECG-signal coverage during a day.

Dry electrodes for monitoring of vital signs in functional textiles

Wearable electronics may become a key element in the future to measure a patients physiological parameters not only in a clinical environment. This work describes dry electrodes based on conductive rubber, which can be integrated into clothing for monitoring purposes. Characteristic electrical properties like warm up time, skin-electrode impedance and motion artefacts will be discussed.

A Comparison of Continuous Wave Doppler Radar to Impedance Cardiography for Analysis of Mechanical Heart Activity

The paper compares the data obtained from a continuous wave Doppler radar sensor based on a commercially available microwave motion sensor KMY24 to an impedance cardiograph measured using a cardiac output monitor (Medis Niccomo). Both sensors are used to analyze the mechanical activity of the heart. System parameters, signal content and robustness are discussed

The Challenge of Motion Artifact Suppression in Wearable Monitoring Solutions

Motion artifact is a major limitation in most practical implementations of wearable health monitoring devices. Especially in applications requiring continuous monitoring and high specificity, motion artifact can render a solution infeasible in real world use cases. We believe that the single most important technical challenge that will decide the success of wearable biomedical sensor systems is signal integrity. Principle possibilities to reduce artifact are explained, and some historical and modern examples are given, showing the relevance of this subject. However, still no proper models for artifact exist, nor is there a generalized approach to deal with this problem. This paper intends to call to attention the need for a common understanding in the community for a method of addressing this area objectively, and proposes next steps toward this goal.

The Role of Technology for Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Monitoring in the Future Exemplified

The healthcare systems in the developed coun- tries are changing in order to deal with the challenges of the future. Patients will be monitored not only sporadically in the hospitals in acute phases, a clear trend can be identified to monitor in low acute settings also at home, where they are often unsupervised and ask to do reliable measurements them- selves. Technology will play a major role as enabler of this new paradigm. This paper discusses aspects on the new sensor requirements and provides Philips - specific examples.

Near infrared CCD imaging of hemodynamics

This paper presents preliminary results of near infrared CCD imaging of hemodynamics with inexpensive system components. The motivation behind this is the requirement of a low-cost and easy to use system capable of aiding the physician in daily assessment of venous disorders such as chronic vein insufficiency (CVI) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Photoplethysmographic (PPG) systems with optical sensors are in wide use for these tests today. They essentially measure the blood volume in the top skin layers. Another method that has been described for imaging of veins is near infrared photography. The presented method combines the two. A monochrome CCD camera equipped with a >700 nm filter is mounted on a tripod. A constant indirect illumination is applied, then an exercise is performed by the patient. The camera takes a sequence of pictures of the perfusion area of interest, i.e. the lower leg. Digital filtering and sequence evaluation results in image-mapped data about venous reflow time, venous pump power and other relevant parameters. From this, conclusions can be taken as to the reason and location of disorders.

From Idea to Product - Why so Many Innovations in Healthcare Wilt on the Way to Commercialization

Summary form only given. The presentation will kick off the Minisymposium on innovation approaches in the industrialization of biomedical engineering products. The presentation will illustrate the common approach to innovation and its weaknesses and highlight the specific difficulties that are to be faced in industrialization of a product idea. Areas of improvement will be touched upon and rules to improve the chance of success will be given. At the end of the session, we will plan for a panel discussion on best approaches and how to generate awareness especially at funding agencies to facilitate higher industrial impact of the spent research effort.

Global healthcare trends 2020 - On the pathway towards distributed health

Summary form only given. From a technology perspective, the predictions on distributed Healthcare 2020 are relatively straightforward: Building on Information Technology, Mobile Wireless platforms and universal network coverage. The devices and solutions that will support the distributed care model will follow trends we have seen in mobile telephony, office automation, and video/data transmission. Systems currently used in a mainframe context needing expert users to interpret data will diverge into sub functions of information collection and data interpretation, allowing to unlock the current 1: 1 caregiver/patient relationship in time and space. Data can be collected remotely, analyzed centrally , and interventions prescribed again in a distributed fashion. Initial remote patient care examples like Philips Motiva, Post Discharge Telemonitoring, and Standards Initiatives like Continua Health Alliance are indicators of this trend. These have the promise to provide affordable, accessible care to a rising global patient population in a sustainable way.