Interesting People mailing list archives
Wireless patient devices at risk from proposed Internet use
From: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 09:24:26 -0400
Begin forwarded message:
From: "David P. Reed" <dpreed () reed com> Date: May 14, 2008 9:16:40 AM EDT To: David Farber <dave () farber net>Cc: ip <ip () v2 listbox com>, "Robert J. Berger" <rberger () ibd com>, Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne () warpspeed com> Subject: Re: [IP] Wireless patient devices at risk from proposed Internet use
There is a germ of truth (perhaps a prion-sized germ or maybe just an amino acid) in the idea that transmitters in "white spaces" in the TV band *might* disrupt patient monitoring equipment if designed by alunatic who believes in sending massive pulses of energy in a whitespace in the TV band (perhaps amplified by a large parabolic dish antenna thesize of a trashcan lid or larger, aimed at the patient monitor system. But that risk is completely shared with zillions of other potential radiators of energy in the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Engineers in safety related industries (airplanes, healthcare) arerequired to shield their equipment against this risk. There is an order of magnitude GREATER, but identical risk in placing a hospital near a TVbroadcast antenna. Yet this is extraordinarily common in cities throughout the US.GE, of course, owns NBC. There is a MAJOR conflict of interest at thecorporate level of GE, since the NAB and the Association for Maximum Service Television are primary opponents of whitespace. To which part of GE should we attribute this PR campaign? Engineersfamiliar with shielding devices such as PCs and avionics equipment might well want to scrutinize the engineering documents behind these claims of risk. Preferably ones whose paychecks don't derive from bankers who ownTV stations. As an engineer, I'm persuaded by actual analyses, not claims ofauthority by companies "waving bloody shirts" about "people might die".Let's scrutinize the analysis for a specific, well-documented piece of healthcare equipment. It's easy to test the vulnerability of such a device.If GE would like to show us their "most vulnerable" device to test in a test setup, perhaps we can also share their design methodology with thetrial lawyers to analyze for potential negligence. David Farber wrote:Begin forwarded message:*From:* "Robert J. Berger" <rberger () ibd com <mailto:rberger () ibd com>>--- ---------------------------------------------------------------------*Date:* May 13, 2008 3:55:24 PM EDT *To:* Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne () warpspeed com <mailto:dewayne () warpspeed com>>, David Farber <dave () farber net <mailto:dave () farber net>>*Subject:* *Wireless patient devices at risk from proposed Internet use *Wireless patient devices at risk from proposed Internet use By DIBYA SARKAR Associated Press Writer http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/scitech/2008/05/13/D90KUIJ80_tv_vs_internet_medical_devices/print.html May 13th, 2008 | WASHINGTON -- Losing the audio feed during "Monday Night Football" may seem like a crisis for some sports fan, but it's nothing compared to losing the signal that monitors a critically ill hospital patient. The technical glitches share a potential source: the proposed use of unoccupied TV airwaves for high-speed Internet service across the country. While television networks and wireless microphone users have been fighting the idea, the medical community is also sounding the alarm over possible interference from unlicensed portable gizmos operatingin a nearby spectrum. The spectrum's valuable wireless real estate hasattracted technology companies and consumer advocates who say it shouldn't remain vacant. Hospitals and medical device makers say using empty channels for unlicensed uses is a matter of life and death, not just a source of static for entertainment outlets. It could disrupt the monitoring of patients' heart rates, blood oxygen levels and other vital signs at medical facilities. "If they stop functioning for a period of time, you don't know the patient's physiological condition. This is patient care at its most basic level," says Dale Woodin, executive director of the American Society of Healthcare Engineering, an arm of the American Hospital Association. Medical device maker GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric Co., has also weighed in, asking the Federal Communications Commission to proceed carefully in its decision to permit broadband use through those idle channels, commonly known as "white spaces." In an FCC filing last week, the company requested stricter standardsto protect wireless patient-monitoring equipment, such as heart, bloodpressure and respiration devices, from being overwhelmed by other equipment operating in nearby channels.The FCC is conducting tests to find an efficient and interference- free way to use the spectrum for broadband, but several trial devices haveeither broken down or failed. A spokesman said some additional lab tests may be needed, but the agency will start field testing soon.Those white spaces, prized for their ability to travel long distancesand go through walls, will be made available when the nation makes atransition to digital TV next February. After the switch, broadcasterswill occupy channels 2 through 51, but almost half those channels insome cities will remain fallow, especially in rural areas where thereare fewer broadcasters.Technology companies, including Google Inc., Microsoft Corp. and DellInc., have said low-powered, unlicensed and portable devices such ascell phones, laptops and BlackBerrys, can operate safely in the emptyspectrum without harming other signals. They say it will provide affordable high-speed Internet and spur innovation. But its potential effect on everything from baseball calls to banjo picking has attracted increasingly loud and powerful opponents. Television broadcasters, telecom carriers and wireless microphone makers and users, including Major League Baseball and the Grand Ole Opry, have rejected several proposals from the tech coalition. "The white spaces proposals being considered by the FCC could turn 'Music City' into a silent city unless they get it right," Steve Gibson, music director and producer of broadcast audio for the Grand Ole Opry, said in a statement Tuesday. The country music venue is operated by Nashville, Tenn.-based Gaylord Entertainment Co.Unlike the broadcasters and wireless mic users, GE Healthcare and ASHE say they're not against the technology coalition's proposal, but want tougher technical standards implemented to lessen any potential risks.They've have had several discussions with the FCC and technology companies to find a compromise. Attorney Scott Blake Harris, who represents several technology companies, said Tuesday the coalition has agreed to the substance of GE Healthcare's proposal. "There are no insurmountable technical hurdles here," he added. <snip>Archives <http://www.listbox.com/member/archive/247/=now><http://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/247/> [Powered by Listbox]<http://www.listbox.com>
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- Wireless patient devices at risk from proposed Internet use David Farber (May 13)
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