The Healthcare and Enterprise Wireless Experience

M2M and IOT Integra Systems, Inc.

We are working with several companies to develop solutions surrounding M2M (Machine to Machine) and applications surrounding the IOT (Internet of Things). See attached video link and brochure.

https://www.gemalto.com/m2m/explore/index.html

Download M2M_mHealth_Brochure

Motorola Solutions

Integra Systems, Inc. is currently authoring a white paper surrounding the technology innovations inherent in Motorola Solutions (Wireless LAN), WLAN enterprise grade solutions. Motorola's heritage in the "wireless area", actually comes before WLAN (or 802.11b) got approved in 1999...which then started this revolution as we know it. Former Symbol (now Motorola Solutions) pretty much started the "wireless revolution", because of it's use in Auto-ID (bar code scanning). They also made OEM radios. Moving forward, Motorola has put together the right solution set for the intense wireless LAN requirements of healthcare. Not all WLAN solutions are the same in terms of how they have to work in mobile computing environment. They also acquired several companies to round out the portfolio for predictive planning, security, and data analytics.

Download VX9000_Virtualization_Technical_Brief

AAMI Speaking Engagements

Integra Systems, Inc., will be speaking about the changing landscape of utilizing WLAN for patient monitoring and other medical device applications. We will be presenting at the Annual AAMI meeting in Philadelphia the end of May and at the California Medical Instrumentation Association- Capitol Area/Bay Area/Northern California Chapters on June 20 and June 21.

Bluetooth Smart for Medical Device Integration

First talked about more than 15 years ago, the Internet of Things (IoT) theorized objects and people would connect wirelessly. Classic Bluetooth provided the means for device communication and manufacturers built hub devices like PCs, smartphones, cars and tablets to take advantage of these connections. Now, because of Bluetooth Smart, the world is exploding with an incredible array of devices connecting to these hubs. A projected 30 billion devices will enter into the IoT ecosystem by 2020 according to ABI Research . Analyst firms all over the world recognize Bluetooth Smart as a key enabler in the Internet of Things.

Integra Systems, Inc,is working overtime to develop core technologies and platforms surrounding. In this realm we are working with major clients to develop solutions to incorporate both LPBT, but also WLAN and M2M. This convergence of wireless technologies will transform the healthcare and medical device space just like WLAN (where we were on the early stage in 1999).The consumerism always drives the enterprise marketplace. Just look at IOS and Android. Costs driven down; and wide spread acceptance is making this happen in multiple enterprise vertical markets.

M2M (Machine to Machine) Integra Systems, Inc.

Integra Systems, Inc., is helping to frame out several M2M applications from the hardware to software for several medical device companies.

We see this is the next wave to bring information from outside the four walls of the hospital back into the EMR.

Our solutions and design requirements are based upon five years of experience in this space. As a result we can bring the right hardware design, the correct integration team that has developed the connections, and finally the right managed services model.

Machine to machine communication (m2m) is the term that identifies the space enveloping the collection of devices, services and the value chain required to allow the interconnection of electronic apparatus, typically but not always wirelessly. Another characteristic of m2m communication is that this interconnection enables primarily automated communication between distant, remote machines and one or more layers of central management applications. It provides for real-time monitoring and control without the need for human intervention.
In the wireless m2m space, there are two major classes of interconnections: short range and wide area. The predominant wide area technology applies embedded cellular modules to connect remote devices to the internet or application servers. Think of embedded cellular modules as cell phones for machines or cell phones without the display and keyboard. A cellular module includes many of the same features that you would find in a cellular handset, including voice and data communication, and is ideal for embedded applications.

As with cellular phones, cellular modules require a subscription service. But beyond that, modules require a great deal of other services all of which add value to the ability to have and connect remotely to the end device. For example, services providing real-time information on where devices are, their network coverage, and diagnostics. Or ways to quickly troubleshoot most common issues. Services allowing you to set alerts and limits to contain overages and eliminate unwelcome surprises for total cost control.
Short range is not too dissimilar from wide area. It applies embedded short range wireless modules in a wide range of protocols and frequencies according to application type and regional spectrum regulatory constraints. These modules operate in the license-free ISM frequency, typically in the bands of 169, 433, 868, 915 MHz, and 2.4 GHz. They are available in standard air-interface protocols such as wireless M-Bus and ZigBee as well as other proprietary technologies.

Cellular and short range modules connect with an application using AT commands or RIL drivers, typically through a UART or USB connection.
Not strictly a part of m2m, positioning is wireless m2m's closest companion technology. That follows from the fact that a very large portion of all cellular m2m applications are mobile; and knowing the location of a moving device is typically job one for the m2m connected system.

Global positioning started out as a functionality delivered by a receiver which calculated global position coordinates by analyzing signals received from a certain number of positioning satellites in low earth orbit (LEO). The original provider and still one of the most popular is the American Global Positioning System, or GPS.

Download TelematicsFightingGuideInteractive_FINAL_2013

Download TELIT_t2m_09-14

2014 Wireless Healthcare Medical Device Site Designs

Integra Systems, Inc. has been around way before 802.11b got approved (1999) and the Wi-Fi revolution as we know got started. So we do know something about site surveys….because RF is our DNA.

In the early days integrators simply hung access points down the hallway. Pretty much no site survey was completed. Things then evolved to what I call the “dixie cup” approach. Draw circles of coverage on a building plan. No one really had to worry at the time because most of the WLAN design were for data, not voice, and no WLAN enabled medical devices.

Then things evolved to use site survey tools and do what I can via the “walk around approach”, better than the “dixie cup” approach", but still not scientific in our opinion.

We propose the same type of design as the cellular carriers do using predictive tools. These predictive tools take into the actual building construction materials and propagation modeling. Understand that the carriers are held to a certain SLA (Service Level Agreement), so they have a real financial stake in the ground. Years of experience and millions of square feet in all kinds really tough environments has been demonstrated through our partnerships and proven projects.

So what are benefits? It is around 98% accurate for a 2014 WLAN design and saves lot of money versus sending people on site….to walk around with a laptop and maybe hang up a AP to look like an RF engineer of sorts. Also, you now know that the increasingly challenged “wireless environment” is designed correctly for the complex convergence of data, voice, video, BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), and the wireless enabled medical device.

Estimated Cost Analysis
Traditional Integrator with “Walk around Approach”
Technician can conduct around 70,000 square feet of coverage a day.
Cost per day $2,200 (Labor/per diem/airfare)
Assuming: $160/hour labor rate.
630,000 square feet of design
9 days @$2,200.00 = $19,800.00
Submittal of report and design: 6.30 work days
100,000 feet per day/630,000.00
Submittal of report and design cost: $8,160.00
Total Cost: $27,960.00

Estimated Cost Analysis
WLAN Design using Predictive Tools
150,000 sq ft/630,000 = 4.20 work days
Total Cost : $5,4440.00

So the question is are you willing to spend $22,520.00 more for something that just not be as accurate, adds more risk, and takes more time to complete?

Medical Device Alarm Fatigue - Addressing the Clinical Foundation

It seems that many upstart companies and established companies are addressing this in a multitude of ways. While this is admirable in terms of actual alarm management; we feel that the majority of alarms may be addressed at the clinical level...as the first pillar.

For example in terms of pulse oximetry there has been a lot of research dedication around motion artifact reduction. In terms of patient monitoring (hence where a lot of false alarms occur), based upon thirty (30) years of experience this is where good electrode prep and placement of electrodes is the first start.

The second requirement is to tailor the alarm profile of the patient monitor to the patient. If the patient is in chronic atrial fib. you probably want to turn off the irregular heart rate alarm.

Integra Systems, Inc., is working with an incubated company www.epfl.ch to solve first time the issues of providing better signal processing algorithms that will potentially decrease the propensity for false alarms.

This we feel is attacking this issue at the foundation level; and will drive major change process at the enterprise level with all converged alarm platforms.

Download 13-234 - Text filed

Download 13-155 - PCT application as filed

Bluetooth World

Look to 08-09 April 2014 (next week), of the Annual Bluetooth World meeting in San Jose, CA. Wish I could attend. There will be a Bluetooth Smart Mesh announcement at this meeting that further drives the move toward LPBT in many markets. This has huge applications from BAS to medical device integration.

Download Bluetooth-World-Brochure

Interesting WLAN Implementation

Saw this come across on the wire and thought I just have to comment about this. Have no idea what the implementation team was thinking of..I call this as well "interesting".

- The AP is sending RF energy up through a metal frame,(plate) (has to because concrete below) then the metal seat,(which is like a Farady cage) then through a human body.(high absorption). Reflectivity and attenuation goes through the roof.
- Flex cable looks like plastic conduit for POE (Power over Ethernet) to powered AP, sitting under a seat of patron. Looks like a real safety issue to me.
- Next the Near field issue. So now I have my I-Pad, or other and on the WLAN, but I am less than a foot from the AP.
- EIRP. (Effective Isotropic Radiated Power) Not quite sure the type of antenna that they are using, but this set up seems to look like a real "hot seat".

Why not mount the AP(s) across the ceiling of the stadium and use custom directional or a YAGI that directs RF over the club seating that can provide isolation from the other wireless systems on the field?

A Yagi-Uda array is a directional antenna consisting of a driven element (typically a dipole or folded dipole) and additional parasitic elements (usually a so-called reflector and one or more directors). The reflector element is slightly longer (typically 5% longer) than the driven dipole, whereas the so-called directors are a little shorter. This design achieves a very substantial increase in the antenna's directionality and gain compared to a simple dipole.

Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) is the output power when a signal is concentrated into a smaller area by the Antenna.

An isotropic radiator radiates power equally in all directions, however a perfect isotropic radiator is only theoretical as even the simplest antennas will concentrate the signal in certain direction(s). E.g. a 1/2 wave dipole has a gain of 2.15 dBi.

When installing a wireless system with external antenna, your EIRP calculation should not exceed the class license limit. Other wise you must adjust either the transmitter power output, the length of cable and/or the choice of antenna.