Radu Ciorap

Study on the influence of wireless communication technology on infusion pumps

In previous studies our concern was the electromagnetic compatibility in terms of life-supporting medical equipment in intensive care units. Following the results obtained, we decided to intensify our efforts in the field of electromagnetic compatibility trials of medical devices, including raising awareness of the problems of electromagnetic interference. In this work we have studied the influence of the electromagnetic field on infusion pumps / injectomats equipment used in all health facilities, not only intensive care. A very important aspect in this study is that these types of equipment used in administering medication are found in ambulances for example, a medium in which the electromagnetic field is very strong.

Elements of risk assessment in medical equipment

Medical equipment risk assessment is part of an overall medical equipment management program for a healthcare facility or system. A complete program includes corrective maintenance or repair, equipment control, asset management, health care technology planning, education, and activities directed toward improving medical device-related patient safety. The purpose of this paper is to provide some guidance lines in establishing and managing a medical equipment quality assurance program and to present some procedures for inspection, maintenance, evaluation, and performance testing for some medical devices. A computerized medical equipment management system is described. The results demonstrate that it is a useful tool in tracking device inventory and maintenance history. Also risk classes have been designed for medical devices based on the time of testing, risk must be identified in relation to patient and staff member. The results of this paper take into consideration the advances in device reliability, reduced preventive maintenance requirements, and internal device surveillance (self test) along with changes in standards.

Medical Bioengineering Education in Iasi, Romania

Besides medical and pharmacy specialists, the engineering branch has a main role in modern health care, characterized by high medical technology, powerful software programs for data analysis, and top management tools to increase efficiency of the health care system. Among many engineering specialties, bioengineers and biomedical engineers, even if somehow different, have a main common feature: the strong inter-, multi- and transdisciplinarity of their work. The paper analyses some characteristics of the specific education process in both fields, shows their sub-domains of activity, presents opportunities related to designing a career, presents specific aspects of 21 years of medical bioengineering education in Iasi city, Romania, and concludes that medical bioengineering and biomedical engineering belong to the top jobs, with a constant growths in demand.

Preliminary study of HR analysis on patients recovering after stroke

In this paper cardiovascular variability has been evaluated in patients with cerebrovascular accident (CVA), in patients recovering from stroke. In this prime report, more than twenty patients were examined; time-domain and frequency-domain parameters were studied during deep breathing (DB), Valsalva maneuver (VA) and hand grip (HG). After this we compared the HRV obtained in the specific test for each specific patient; we studied also records of different patients with the same injury, in order to estimate the magnitude of the difference. Using standard cardiovascular reflex tests we managed to analyze the heart rate variability in order to demonstrate the influence of the autonomic nervous marking parasympathetic dysfunction and sympathetic predominance in stroke people.

An portable device for ECG and photoplethysmographic signal acquisition

This paper presents a low-cost, portable, light weight, high performance device developed by the authors for electrocardiographic (ECG) and plethysmographic signals recording. The proposed system was tested and compared with clinical grade amplifiers, also noise and robustness tests have been conducted. The prototype permits both on line and off line working mode, being capable to record ECG data with high fidelity in various environments.

Dynamics analysis of heart rate during Magneto-Therapy session

In this paper we determined and analyzed the Heart Rate (HR), based on the Electrocardiographic signals (ECG) recorded before, during and after magneto therapy sessions. The purpose of our study is to determine some possible changes in the biological signals in the case of people exposure to magnetic fields. Thus, we determined and analyzed Heart Rate dynamics, both in time-domain and in frequency domain comparing the obtained results before, during and after the Magneto Therapy procedures.

Low Cost Device for ”At Home” Rehabilitation After a Stroke Event

Abstract The paper proposes a design solution for a low cost device with feedback for upper extremity rehabilitation after a stroke event. Cerebral vascular accident (CVA) or stroke is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. CVA is the most important cause of long-term disability in Europe, and demographic changes have led to an increase in both incidence and prevalence of this. Most secondary stroke disability is recovered in a few months, but others may persist for life. The rehabilitation should be started as soon as there is a greater chance of recovery in this early stage. Disabilities get worse and remain permanent over time, which is why is recommended the establishment of a rehabilitation program as soon as possible. Today, the use of virtual reality environments allow patients to perform tasks that mimic real life in rehabilitation clinics, but it tends increasingly more in the future these tasks can be done at home, sending data and receiving feedback from doctors. The devices presented in this paper are not only mechanical devices that allow the movement on a certain direction with predetermined effort degree for the patient, possibly controlled by the force of the muscle activity (EMG), but are innovative devices with the possibility to record a full set of biomedical signals. The patient device can record one or more biomedical parameters such as electrocardiography (ECG), heart rate (HR), electromyography (EMG), non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP), oxygen concentration in the blood (SpO2), movement speed and acceleration, angle of motion of a body extremity, torsion, s.a. according to the physician’s prescription and the patient needs. This means that the patient device will be very flexible and can communicate with other medical devices for home use

Study on the influence of wireless communication technology on sensitive medical equipments

In this paper we studied the influence of electromagnetic wireless communications traffic on sensitive medical equipment used in intensive care units. We have identified the main sources of disruptive electromagnetic field existing in a neonatal intensive care unit and studied the influence of wireless communication systems type GSM and DECT 900 on the main operating parameters set to a neonatal mechanical ventilator. After studies we observed that the important parameters used in assisted mechanical ventilation such as expiratory volume, inspiratory pressure, expiratory pressure, mean pressure and tidal volume suffer significant changes when wireless communication disturbing source is at walking distance of sensitive medical equipment.

Predictive maintenance application for health technology management

Medical technology is by now an integral part of health care according to consisting general accepted standards. The Medical Equipment Management Plan defines the mechanisms for interaction and oversight of the medical equipment used in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of patients. The related policies and procedures govern activities from selection and acquisition to incoming inspection and maintenance of medical equipment. The mission is to ensure that equipment used in patient care is safe, available, accurate, and affordable.

The importance of measuring electrical impedance in the analysis of human physiological parameters

This paper presents a design of medical device for bioelectrical impedance estimation. The hardware required to implement the system is based on a signal generator to provide current, a microcontroller to coordinate the process and a data acquisition board to measure the voltage changes across the analyzed region. The algorithm for calculating the physiological variables was implemented in MATLAB. Sample impedance data for a test subject are also presented.