CVM - A communication virtual machine

The convergence of data, voice, and multimedia communication over digital networks, coupled with continuous improvement in network capacity and reliability has resulted in a proliferation of communication technologies. Unfortunately, despite these new developments, there is no easy way to build new application-specific communication services. The stovepipe approach used today for building new communication services results in rigid technology, limited utility, lengthy and costly development cycle, and difficulty in integration. In this paper, we introduce communication virtual machine (CVM) that supports rapid conception, specification, and automatic realization of new application-specific communication services through a user-centric, model-driven approach. We present the concept, architecture, modeling language, prototypical design, and implementation of CVM in the context of a healthcare application.     

远程医疗会诊平台在宽带互联网上的实现方案

提出一种基于宽带互联网上搭建远程医疗会诊平台的具体实现方案。该方案比较适用于目前国家正在落实的具有较高浏览速度的Internet网络环境,可以很好地实现远程诊断,具有助于医疗单位实现系统数字化、信息化。     

Investigating acceptance of telemedicine services through an extended technology acceptance model (TAM)

BackgroundDeveloping countries around the globe are striving continuously to provide free access to health care services. Telemedicine services represent a significantly increasing form of an adequate health care delivery mechanism in developing countries.Research objectiveThis research study was aimed at investigating the factors influencing the acceptance of telemedicine services among the rural population of Pakistan. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was used as a theoretical framework for this research, with the inclusion of several other antecedents.Research methodA face-to-face survey method was used to collect research data from 275 participants. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares (PLS) method.ResultsThe findings suggest that usage intention of telemedicine services is a function of perceived ease of use, technological anxiety, social influence, perceived ease of usefulness, trust, facilitating conditions, perceived risk, and resistance to technology.ConclusionsThis research study confirms the applicability of TAM with the inclusion of additional variables to model the adoption of telemedicine services in developing countries. The study offers valuable information for policymakers and health service providers for understanding the facilitators and inhibitors influencing the large scale implementation of telemedicine services. The research findings regarding factors including perceived risk, trust, facilitating conditions and resistance to change can aid in the design and adequate provision of telemedicine services in developing countries.     

Brain–computer interface: The next frontier of telemedicine in human–computer interaction

The study proposes a novel brain–computer interface scheme for the next frontier of telemedicine in human–computer interaction, where the goal is to improve the interactions between users and computers in telemedicine. The system consists of discriminative area selection, feature extraction and classification. Discriminative area selection is proposed to obtain the optimal discriminative area, which can decrease the time length of event-related area to achieve more efficient computation and higher accuracy. A fuzzy Hopfield neural network is used to classify the features extracted by means of wavelet-fractal approach. Experimental results show that the proposed system is robust and performs better than several previous methods. It is also suggested being suitable for the applications of telemedicine in human–computer interaction.     

Telemedicine using mobile telecommunication: Towards syntactic interoperability in teleexpertise

Telemedicine allows collaborative activities between health professionals for the deployment of medical procedures carried out remotely by means of device using information and communication technologies. This article focuses on the Teleexpertise that allows collaboration between medical professionals in order to share knowledge and expert advices used as explanation elements for decision support. We propose a conceptual model integrating the FIPA (Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agents) Contract Net Protocol which permits to collect medical professionals’ answers for a request for teleexpertise in an efficient manner. Our model satisfies four requirements (coverage, QoS (Quality of Service) guarantees and prioritisation, mobility and roaming, service usability) on the configuration and operation of the underlying network and the services. Therefore, we provide an operational assistance by improvement of the networks quality of service via interoperable web services. Finally, we hope to bring a tangible contribution on the implementation of this suggested conceptualization that will allow to generate relevant and action-oriented findings.     

A low-cost force sensor-based posturographic plate for home care telerehabilitation exergaming

A wireless architecture of posturographic plate, conceived as a physical interface between the patient at home and a semi-immersive virtual environment of telerehabilitation exergaming, is proposed. The design is aimed at maximizing cost reduction as well as hardware and software flexibility, for integrating third-party rehabilitation applications with the exergaming-oriented approach in a telemedicine open development platform. Apart general-purpose bodyweight exercises, rehabilitation protocols based on twofold exergaming tasks for recovering (i) proprioceptive and manual dexterity, using the board by hands for postural motor coordination, and (ii) lower limb proprioception, using by trunk or feet (from sitting and standing posture) to control static and dynamic balance, are provided. The plate was validated experimentally at functional level by means of posturographic and exergame tests, emulating the shots on goal for soccer penalties. Moreover, results of clinical tests in comparison with a force measuring plate of a high-cost professional state-of-the-art system for posturographic analysis, both in normal and in pathological subjects, with open and closed eyes, highlighted encouraging performance and fostered industrial transfer.     

动态远程集中监护及远程医疗系统设计应用

我院设计开发远程集中监护平台对患者进行24h心电等信号监测,并将采集到的心电等信号数字化处理后,通过GRPS\WCDMA\WiFI等通讯技术传输至中央工作站,中央工作站的工作人员同步得到患者的24h动态监护数据信号,并根据得到的监护信息完成出具分析报告、术后恢复监测、远程提醒,医师预警等功能。并将其集成到远程医疗应用系统。本文对该系统的设计实施进行了总结,对应用效果及问题障碍进行分析。     

Solve the Humanware Problem： Take the Full Advantage of Telemedicine

Telemedicine＇s greatest problem is not found in software and hardware. Many can make software and hardware work. It has for long been clear that telemedicine has diffusion problems. Focus should be shifted over to the humanware. Telemedicine means work is done by virtual organizations. For the future of telemedicine, organizational issues will represent a challenge. Organizations consist of humans in interaction. In Norwegian telemedicine projects, organizational problems were identified and solutions to the problems were designed. More than 40 publications show numerous organizational consequences and numerous types of organizational consequences. When it comes to the solving telemedicine＇s organizational problems, learning from the experience others have is important. It is not necessary for all to invent what the organizational problems are. Organizing health care around the physical telecommunication networks is associated with the concept of network organization. The electronic networks become an infrastructure around which single health care providers are distributed. Such network organization means a formation of alliances between organizations. Centralization and decentralization are important terms for all organizing. Telemedicine makes the question of centralization or decentralization relevant. Telemedicine requires collaboration between participating parties. Obtaining the benefits of telemedicine is dependent on implementing the right measures for good collaboration. We know there are problems with telemedicine virtual organizations, but solutions to these problems exist. For the future of telemedicine, doing work with organization is important. Skilled managers have an important role to play.     

Patient-Oriented Web Telemedicine System for Health Monitoring

WBAN （wireless body area network） helps in monitoring vital signs of a patient and can monitor patient＇s history in routine life activities to provide them accurate diagnosis. Doctors can check the complete details of patients from remote location and can recommend a suitable medication. The main purpose of this technology is to reduce the load at hospitals and provide efficient healthcare facility remotely. To monitor the patients in their natural environments is not practical when devices or sensors are connected through a wire that is why we use WBAN to carrying out daily activities through unobtrusive and contented way. In these networks, various sensors are attached on clothing or on the body or even implanted under the skin. The wireless nature of the network and the wide variety of sensors offer numerous new, practical and innovative applications to improve health care and the quality of life. Using a WBAN, the patient experiences a greater physical mobility and is no longer compelled to stay in the hospital. This technology can provide very cheaper, easier and quick respondent history of patient. This paper discusses the architecture of WBAN, and its position between different technologies. The paper also introduces the web portal telemedicine solution, and the implementation oftelemedicine monitoring system using WBAN.     

基于智能终端的心电诊疗与远程医疗系统

利用Socket通信方式、SQL Server DBMS以及自主开发的3．5mm通信协议。设计并实现基于智能终端的心电诊疗与远程医疗系统。该系统包括一套远程医疗软件和心电信号调理设备。该系统使患者可以在家中随时利用智能终端将心电数据实时的传输给医疗工作者,将心血管病的实时诊疗从医院转移到家中。减轻医院工作压力的同时也满足患者对医疗监护的需求。