Takato Kudou

Investigations of the Quality of Hospital Electric Power Supply and the Tolerance of Medical Electric Devices to Voltage Dips

Medical devices driven by electric power have come to be commonly used in hospitals, and rapid changes of voltage or current can easily cause them to fail. A stable and high quality power supply is indispensable in order to maintain safety in the modern clinical setting. Therefore, we investigated the quality of the power supply in a hospital and determined the tolerance of 13 pieces of medical equipment to voltage dips. The results showed little distortion of the voltage wave. However, we found an approximately 7% momentary voltage dip caused by lightening and other problems, such as 2 to 5% periodic drops in voltage and voltage wave distortions caused by incorrect grounding. In a tolerance test, the settings of some medical devices were changed at the time of automatic reboot after a disturbance. For another device, trend information was initialized.

Installation of Secure, Always Available Wireless LAN Systems as a Component of the Hospital Communication Infrastructure

Wireless technologies as part of the data communication infrastructure of modern hospitals are being rapidly introduced. Even though there are concerns about problems associated with wireless communication security, the demand is remarkably large. In addition, insuring that the network is always available is important. Herein, we discuss security countermeasures and points to insure availability that must be taken to insure safe hospital/business use of wireless LAN systems, referring to the procedures introduced at Shimane University Hospital. Security countermeasures differ according to their purpose, such as for preventing illegal use or insuring availability, both of which are discussed. It is our hope that this information will assist others in their efforts to insure safe implementation of wireless LAN systems, especially in hospitals where they have the potential to greatly improve information sharing and patient safety.

A Safe and Reliable Method for Installing Wireless LAN into a Hospital

A medical environment in which patient information can be accessed anytime / anywhere is called a “ubiquitous environment”. To realize such an environment, the installation of wireless LAN is quite effective. Because the maximum radio wave output (antenna power) is set low in Japan, it has been easy to safely introduce wireless LAN into hospitals, to date mainly into large hospitals. However, if the placement of access points is not done properly, problems will occur, such as signals not reaching the desired area. A solution to these types of problems is to do an electromagnetic-field propagation simulation, which should be performed before construction of the hospital. It is also necessary to protect against security problems, such as signal interception or illegal access. We herein show our procedures for the safe introduction of wireless LAN.

Numerical analysis of electromagnetic band-stopping using non-metal periodic structures

We have analyzed the band-stopping characteristic of non-metal periodic structures for electromagnetic wave in a microwave region. The target frequencies are 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, which are popularly used in wireless LAN in Japan. There are two types of periodic structure in this article. One is the multilayer slab (a 1D photonic crystal) and the other is the square lattice of dielectric columns (a 2D photonic crystal). The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is employed for the numerical calculation. Frequency and spatial characteristics of band-stopping are shown as numerical examples.

Effective use of RFID in medicine

RFID have been used for decades, and several standards and a variety of systems for RFID tags have been developed. RFID systems have long been utilized in industry, but their use in hospitals is not yet widespread. RFID tag systems with specific applications to hospital needs have the potential for great benefit, both clinically and economically. Here, we show some typical uses of RFID in hospitals. Possible medical uses of RFID tags and tag systems are presented.

Managing the availability of hospital wireless communication systems

The introduction of wireless communication technology into large Japanese hospitals is rapidly progressing, notably wireless LAN and wireless voice communication systems. However, many hospitals have problems, such as inadequate signal range, electromagnetic interference by waves generated inside/outside the hospital, or by devices carried in by the staff or patients. Many have problems with network security. We herein discuss the problem of “network availability”, which can be defined as “Being able to communicate with the required transmission rate, wherever and whenever a user wants”. We summarize the elements of “network availability” in hospitals and make suggestions for ensuring availability, especially focusing on wireless communications.

Problems and solutions in the introduction of wireless communication technology to the clinical medicine setting

The introduction of wireless communication technology into large Japanese hospitals is rapidly progressing. However, many hospitals are having problems, such as inadequate signal range, electromagnetic interference by waves generated inside/outside the hospital, or by devices carried in by the staff or patients, and some have problems with network security. Here we show illustrations of these problems and give solutions that might be considered. Streszczenie. Wprowadzanie technologii komunikacji bezprzewodowej w duzych szpitalach w Japonii postepuje bardzo szybko. Jednak w wielu szpitalach wystepują problemy, takie jak niedostateczny poziom sygnalu, zaklocenia w postaci fal elektromagnetycznych wytwarzanych wewnątrz i na zewnątrz szpitali lub generowanych przez urządzenia noszone przez personel lub pacjentow, a w niektorych przypadkach problemy z zabezpieczeniem sieci. W artykule zaprezentowano te problemy oraz zaproponowano rozwiązania, ktore mogą byc zastosowane. (Problemy i rozwiązania w związku z wprowadzeniem technologii komunikacji bezprzewodowej w jednostkach opieki medycznej).

Near-field analysis of waveguide and loop antennas for RFID inventory systems using FDTD simulation

We present two examples of antenna near-field analysis for RFID inventory systems. One is the radiation characteristic of a waveguide antenna and the other is the magnetic field distribution around a loop antenna. Computer simulations are based on FDTD method. We discuss the usefulness of the numerical results for constructing appropriate electromagnetic environment in hospitals.

Wireless LAN systems as a component of the communication infrastructure of a hospital: Insuring availability and security

Wireless technologies are being rapidly introduced as part of the data communication infrastructure of modern hospitals. Even though there are concerns about problems associated with wireless communication security, the demand is remarkably large. In addition, insuring that the network is always available is important. Herein, we discuss electromagnetic compatibility and security countermeasures, and points for insuring continuous availability that must be taken to insure safe hospital/business use of wireless local area network (LAN) systems, referring to the procedures introduced at Shimane University Hospital. It is our hope that this information will assist others in their efforts to insure safe implementation of wireless LAN systems, especially in hospitals where they have the potential to greatly improve information sharing and patient safety.