Coming to a bedside near you: Body sensor networks

GE Healthcare is developing a Body Sensor Network (BSN) that consists of sensor devices that collect patient-specific data, from body temperature and pulse-oximetry to blood glucose levels and respiratory function. The real-time information will be transmitted to doctors, nurses, caregivers, etc., to enable far more efficient body monitoring from any location, which in turn provides the most current patient information and treatment option evaluations.

The network that would support the wireless sensors monitoring what is going on inside a patient's body will be called the Medical Body Area Network Service, or MBANS for short.

GE's proposal (PDF) requests that the FCC allocate frequencies 2360 to 2400 MHz on a secondary, licensed basis for low-power, short-range, wireless medical devices such as BSNs. "These new frequencies will provide a protected spectrum for wireless medical BSNs and reduce the potential of interference from ubiquitous unlicensed radio devices such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, or Wi-Fi," according to their press release.

The FCC has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking for the MBANS, which has left GE positively giddy:

"GE Healthcare applauds the FCC's NPRM proposing to create a dedicated radio frequency band that will help remove a major obstacle to the adoption of wireless medical Body Sensor Networks," said Munesh Makhija, general manager of GE Healthcare Systems and Wireless. "We will continue to collaborate with industry, the FCC and other regulatory agencies to ensure the proper allocation of spectrum enabling next generation wireless monitoring devices."

Body sensor networks are a logical evolutionary step in monitoring health, as Nathaniel Sims, a physician at Mass General Hospital, points out. Moreover: "Body-worn sensors could free patients from the limitations of stationary bedside monitors, improving quality of care."

Furthermore, the need for easier, more efficient monitoring will only increase; the U.S. is expected to have a shortage of 1 million registered nurses by 2020, thanks in large part to our aging Baby Boomers, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Still, to me, there's something inherently eerie having such personal, revealing data about our physical selves readable by who-knows-how-many over such a network. Being confined to a bed with a multitude of hook-ups restricts mobility and comfort, sure, but this sophisticated monitoring has me wondering whether I'd use my newfound mobility toward its obvious end: throwing back Victory Gins at the Chestnut Tree.

[RFGeek]

Once again the FCC sells off another slice of spectrum for a single dedicated purpose. This particular piece was coordinated by the Aerospace and Flight Test Radio Coordinating Council (AFTRCC) and available to anyone who wanted to properly coordinate its' usage. This spectrum is used by the military, private sector defense contractor and a myriad of broadcasters for many diverse purposes. But now in yet another move toward revenue generation and not frequency regulation, the FCC has entertained the assignment of this spectrum to a sole entity. Thus further reducing the available spectrum for multiple users who were more than happy to share this spectrum on an as needed basis. All I can do is shake my head as the FCC continues to facilitate the unfair allocation of spectrum to the entities who can afford it and leave the rest of us scrambling find solutions to our spectrum availability issues.

[Informed_RF_Guy]

The post above from RFGeek presents several erroneous statements. The FCC?s NPRM is focused on neither government revenue generation nor assignment to a sole entity. The FCC has enabled advances in the delivery of health care by creating Wireless Medical Telemetry (WMTS) and Medical Implant Communication (MICS) radio services, each with dedicated spectrum. These medical radio services are not auctioned or sold to one company like cellular bands. Rather, many medical companies provide products operating on these frequency bands that are used by hospitals across the country. The current FCC NPRM for Medical Body Area Networks is similar, considering the allocation of frequencies to be shared by health care facilities (future licensees) using equipment from numerous medical vendors ? GE and other vendors, possibly Philips, Welch Allyn, Toumaz, etc. could develop products to operate in this space. A read of the NPRM makes it clear that the intent is for shared use and coexistence within the 2360-2395 MHz frequency band between the incumbent users (AFTRCC, amateurs) and the proposed Medical Body Area Networks. Therefore, providing further utilization of the spectrum by multiple groups and applications.

[RFGeek]

OK, the revenue generation was a cheap shot and yes erroneous, but not far off the mark as it relates to most spectrum allocation. That having been said...the sharing of this spectrum will not work for its current users and MBAN.

(sarcasm ON)

Because, of course just like the white space devices, every wireless medical device will be location aware and capable of accessing/updating a real-time database of coordinated usage. This will allow current users of this spectrum to know exactly where these devices are in use and avoid any possible life threatening interference from their properly coordinated AFTRCC usage. Oh wait, nope, that is not a provision of this allocation. I guess current users will just have to vacate the spectrum as I can't imagine anyones legal fund is large enough to cover the liability of interference to devices that may have significant impact to someone's well being.

(sarcasm OFF - for now)