Keeping Hackers Out of Implanted Medical Devices - IEEE - The Institute

The hacking of medical devices is not only limited to equipement in the hospital containing patient related information but, according to some, also could happen to implanted medical devices such as pacemakers.
A group of researchers therefore developed a prototype of a firewall for such devices to guard them from malicious attacks.
Check out the coverage from IEEE: Keeping Hackers Out of Implanted Medical Devices - IEEE - The Institute

Virtual Holography for Medical 3D imaging?

Check out the coverage on the diagnostic imaging website on the topic of virtual holography.

They have an article on the development of two companies called Echopixel Technologies and Infinite Z that are attempting to join forces to develop these kind of displays in order to provide the 'real 3D experience'.

Infinite Z already is distributing holographic devices for mechanical engineering as can be seen from their website and the movie displayed below of a product called zSpace.

Scientists Build Vascular Network Using Sugar and a 3-D Printer

Check out the coverage of IEEE Spectrum:

Scientists Build Vascular Network Using Sugar and a 3-D Printer

Emerging mHealth: Paths for growth

PWC published a report entitled "Emerging mHealth: Pahts for growth" that shares the results of a global research study about the opportunities and challenges of mobile health from the perspective of patients, payers and providers. The pdf of the report can be found here. The presentation on the report can be found on slideshare here. 

LEAP Motion sensor - DEMO by ENGADGET

Now there are also other movies with a more 'live' demonstration of the amazing leap motion sensor. Here is one from engadget. This really seems to be true!!

Next-gen PACS according to Eliot Siegel

Look at this Diagnostic Imaging interview with Eliot Siegel recorded at SIIM with his vision of the next generation PACS with, what he calls, clinical analytics. http://bcove.me/nfo2uwot

Using the Microsoft Kinect for Patient Size Estimation and Radiation Dose Normalization: Proof of Concept and Initial Validation

An alternative way to use the kinect camera to estimate patient size and normalize the patient dose will be presented at the SIIM 2012. 

The authors conclude that as the need for more accurate dose monitoring increases, the best surrogates for patient size are being sought. While weight and body mass index are easily obtained, they do not always provide an accurate estimate of patient size, particularly of the region of the patient being imaged. Using the preliminary results from this novel method for estimating patient size, we can work towards more accurate means of estimating patient volume. These improved estimates of patient size can ultimately be used to correct CT dose estimates to better reflect both regional and global patient body habitus as well as patient positioning within the scanner bore. Ultimately, more accurate dose estimation improves care of our radiology patients by supplementing and improving the information that radiologists and non-radiologist physicians can use to order and protocol imaging studies appropriately.
The abstract can be found here.

Tablets Make Good Educational Tool for Radiology Residents

The iPad and other tablets are gaining ground in Healthcare, not only in practical use but also in education. Use of tablet devices, such as iPads, by radiology residents would enhance their education, allowing them to keep up with evolving technology, said researchers in a study published in the June issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology.
A short article on this can be found at the website of Diagnostic Imaging.
The full paper can be found at the site of the JACR.

HIMSS Health IT Virtual Conference and Expo

Coming up June 6-7, 2012 the HIMSS Health IT Virtual Conference and Expo.
Free registration through their website for qualified individuals.

Monitoring of Health IT systems

According to a webpublication of Hospital IT Europe, there are five steps to simplify IT infrastructure monitoring. These steps are:


1.  Filter your data to only show information which is relevant - minimise the noise
2.  Correlate your monitoring data to identify where you need to focus resources
3.  Track end-user experience to identify changes in performance before the users notice
4. Outsource your infrastructure monitoring to a dedicated managed service provider (MSP)
5. Install modelling software


For a description of the steps, please visit the HITE website.