Products have the potential to guide and help a non medical person in an emergency by connecting to a physician who can see patient vital signs and other information in real time and guide a non medical person to assist in getting emergency relief to a patient. Data can also be transmitted via the VitaLink connection to and from local PCs and PDAs..life saving data streaming...has been used by companies such as British Airways, U S Airways and others to respond to an emergency situation...BD
Remote medical emergencies are an ever-growing concern for organizations with employees working in an environment where there is no medical support. TeleMedic Systems have created VitalLink 1200 to help people in these stressful, sometimes life-threatening conditions. With the ability of satellite communications there is now access for people in remote areas to get medical help at the touch of a few buttons.
In an emergency situation VitalLink 1200 is simply turned on and voice prompts and on-screen instructions guide the user on how to attach the simply designed medical leads to the patient's body. These medical leads measure heart rhythm, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, temperature and pulse. The user now simply connects the VitalLink 1200 to the communications link and a one-button push connects through to the medical center. Once connected the Doctor in the Medical Centre can drive the VitalLink 1200 and assess, diagnose and advise on how best to manage the patient. There is also the ability for the Doctor and the user to communicate with each other. Voice and text messages can be sent and there is also the ability for files and images to be sent from either the Doctor or the user end.
VitalLink3 Unit
This is the primary hardware element of the whole VitalLink3 / VitalNet platform. The VitalLink3 unit acts as an intelligent manager of ALL the available systems and services relating to a single patient. This includes collating all incoming information from medical sensors to a single standardized data stream. It handles multiple simultaneous requests for elements of this data stream from local IT devices. It also intelligently monitors available communications in order to transmit the whole data stream to the nearest VitalNet server.
Wireless Devices
VitalLink3 offers 802.11 b/g (Wi-Fi) and Bluetooth wireless connectivity both inbound and out. There is also the option for a built-in 3G/GPRS/GSM data card. This means the expansion and configuration options are almost limitless. VitalLink3 accepts data from wireless medical sensors, computers and other devices, such as cameras and mobile phones. The unit also makes data available in the same way – sending data to local PCs or PDAs and connecting to a VitalNet server directly via Wi-Fi or through a satellite or mobile telephone link.
Hmmm. Sounds interesting...like something I would see on the Jetsons. But I have some real concerns about how practical this really is. I mean, if I'm having a aheart attack, I'm not going to sit there and fiddle around with a VitaLink. I'm going to call 911 even if I am in a remote area. My other concerns is about how reliable the instrument is and how many doctors actually sit around to monitor incoming info from the device.
ReplyDeleteDominic A. Carone, Ph.D.
Founder and Webmaster of MedFriendly.com and The MedFriendly blog.
Good points...I think the use in commercial flights might have some real merit here though when you are the captive audience and have to depend on what resources are there, if you get my drift...I agree 911 would be the first choice of mine as well.
ReplyDeleteThe VitalLink3 is intended to be used by first responders and others who may have little medical training. Currently there are a several organizations that can recieve data from such intruments and support the individual in the field in making decisions about patient care.
ReplyDeleteA good article to read about the aviation application can be found at http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=bca&id=news/bca0907p2.xml&headline=The%20Doctor%20Is%20Always%20In
If you have any questions about the device and it's intended use please feel free to contact us.
Thank you for commenting...there are times when something like this can save your life...it sure beats the alternative of nothing being done by any means.
ReplyDelete