Measurement Markers Used for Independent Living
From Capsil Wiki
Contents |
Measurement Markers used to Enable Independent Living
Many of the fundamental physiological measurements that need to be performed to indicate either the presence of a condition or its status, can be performed in a non-clinical setting, with the most pertinent being the home setting. Behavioural measurements can also be performed in the home environment although there is less research (and hence commercial devices available) performed in this space.
Devices such as ECG, blood pressure and other monitor devices have been commercially available for some time in fact, however only recently has the entire ‘service’ been offered i.e. full monitoring service with access capability for medical personnel as necessary. Examples of these full ‘service’ offerings include CardGuard’s PMP4 [1] product suite, the Viterion 200 health suite [2] and the HealthHero Health Buddy System ([3]
Physiological Measurements
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) - Both one, three and twelve lead versions are available. Some of these are wired, some are wireless. However the typical wireless device only communicates a short distance with a PDA type aggregator being used to collect data from the on-body sensors. Data reliability is a concern here and complex processing algorithms are needed to ensure reliable data streams.
- Blood Pressure - There are a number of commercially available devices using cuff mechanisms. Research challenges here include making devices that don’t need cuffs, for example using pulse wave velocity techniques.
- Blood Glucose - Blood glucose levels are very important in the treatment of diabetes and there are many commercial devices available. However a research challenge here is the commercialisation of a non invasive device i.e. no pin-prick needed.
- Pulse Oximetry - The levels of oxygen in the blood (or oxygen saturation) is an important health indicator. These devices use red and infra-red light sources to measure the level of absorption of oxygen due to the pulsing arterial blood. Typically this device is clipped over the finger tip. Many commercial devices are available and the cost is typically quite low ($100-$200).
- Peak Flow Monitoring - The peak flow meter is used to monitor a person's ability to breathe out air. It measures the airflow through the bronchi and thus the degree of obstruction in the airways. It can be used to monitor patients with emphysema, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD, bronchitis and other diseases of the lungs/airways.
- Weight - A very fundamental but important measurement is weight. It is well known that being overweight contributes to health issues such as heart problems and diabetes, (the two most common diseases in the world and responsible for the highest incidents of hospitalisations).
- Temperature - Temperature monitoring is another fundamental but important measurement. When taken in to account with other markers (blood pressure, ECG, weight etc), it can help give an overall picture of the health status of the person being monitored.
- Foetal Monitoring - For remote monitoring of foetal heart rate and uterine contractions.
Behavioural Measurements
Some of the more common methods used to diagnose disorders of cognition and behaviour include the following;
- MRI Scan - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the state of the art method for scanning the brain and spine. This provides the neurologist with detailed images of the brain and/or spine and allows problems such as brain tumours, strokes, blocked or abnormal blood vessels (e.g. aneurysms) or trapped nerves in the spine to be accurately identified.
- CT Scan - Computerised tomographic scanning (CT) is on older technique than MRI which still has a role in brain imaging. The scan uses X-ray beams to provide pictures of the brain and skull. It is a very quick scan and suitable for patients unable to have MRIs and is particularly effective at detecting bleeding in the brain.
- Neurophysiology Tests - This includes tests such as nerve conduction studies and electromyogram EMG and electroencephalogram EEG. EMG is used to diagnose and identify nerve trapping or compression (e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome of ulnar nerve trapping at the elbow) as well as to identify damage to peripheral nerves (peripheral neuropathy e.g. in diabetes) or muscle disorders. The test may also provide information about nerve trapping within the spine, for example in the neck or lower spine due to ‘slipped (prolapsed) discs'.
- Dopamine Transporter (DAT) Scan - This type of scan may sometimes be useful in the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and related disorders such as types of tremor, for example to distinguish benign forms of tremor from Parkinson's disease. A DAT scan is employed to help diagnose Parkinson's disease in only a minority of cases.
- SPECT - Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) - SPECT imaging is performed by using a gamma camera to acquire multiple 2-D images from multiple angles. SPECT scans have been reported as being very accurate at showing Alzheimer’s and also at distinguishing Alzheimer’s from other vascular dementias.
- Neuropsychometric (Memory) Testing - Neuropsychometric testing involves detailed testing of memory and other aspects of intellectual functioning such as planning, speed of thinking, abstract thinking, calculation, language (including speech and reading), visio-spatial function and attention and concentration. The test is performed by a clinical neuropsychologist and usually takes an hour or longer. It is often used to assess if there is evidence of intellectual or memory decline, for example due to Alzheimer's disease or other disorders of memory, or following head injury.
References
- ↑ www.cardguard.com
- ↑ http://www.viterion.com/web_docs/V200%20Ad.pdf
- ↑ https://www.healthhero.com/products_services/products_services.html
- Back to Home and Mobile Systems Main Page
- Back to Main Page
