Use Of Monitoring Technologies Research Articles

Toward Cyber-Enhanced Working Dogs for Search and Rescue

The authors introduce the fundamental building blocks for a cyber-enabled, computer-mediated communication platform to connect human and canine intelligence to achieve a new generation of Cyber-Enhanced Working Dog (CEWD). The use of monitoring technologies provides handlers with real-time information about the behavior and emotional state of their CEWDs and the environments they're working in for a more intelligent canine-human collaboration. From handler to dog, haptic feedback and auditory cues are integrated to provide remote command and feedback delivery. From dog to handler, multiple inertial measurement units strategically located on a harness are used to accurately detect posture and behavior, and concurrent noninvasive photoplethysmogram and electrocardiogram for physiological monitoring. The authors also discuss how CEWDs would be incorporated with a variety of other robotic and autonomous technologies to create next-generation intelligent emergency response systems. Using cyber-physical systems to supplement and augment the two-way information exchange between human handlers and dogs would amplify the remarkable sensory capacities of search and rescue dogs and help them save more lives.

Intraoperative Nerve Monitoring in Otolaryngology: A Survey of Clinical Practice Patterns

Introduction: Intraoperative nerve monitoring is used in otolaryngology to assist in identification of nerves at risk. It is hoped that this will lead to lower rates of nerve injury. The objective of this study was to quantify the use of monitoring technology in current clinical practice. Method: An electronic survey was distributed to 376 registered fellows of the Australian Society of Head and Neck Surgery. Results: One-hundred and twenty-five responses were obtained. The majority of respondents report using monitoring at least some of the time during thyroid, parotid, and mastoid surgery (80%, 87%, and 73% respectively). Predictors of use include experience with intraoperative monitoring during training, and high caseloads in parotid surgery. Practice setting did not predict use. Conclusion: Despite equivocal evidence that intraoperative nerve monitoring is associated with a reduction in nerve injuries, this study demonstrates that the technology is widely used amongst otolaryngologists.

Older persons have ambivalent feelings about the use of monitoring technologies

BACKGROUND: As they age, older persons prefer to continue to live in their own homes. Sensors in the environment and/or bodily worn systems that monitor people might contribute to an increased sens ...

In Situ Monitoring of Health in Older Adults: Technologies and Issues

With the upcoming reform of the healthcare system and the greater emphasis on care in the home and other living environments, geriatric providers will need alternate ways of monitoring disease, activity, response to therapy, and patient safety. Current understanding of the dynamic nature of chronic illnesses, their effects on health over time, and the ability to manage them in the community are limited to measuring a set of variables at discrete points in time, which does not account for the dynamic interactions between physiological systems and the environments of daily life. Recent developments of sensors, data recorders, and communication networks allow the unprecedented measurements of physiological and sociological data for use in geriatrics care. This article identifies and discusses the important issues regarding the use of monitoring technologies in elderly patients. The goals are fourfold. First, some emerging technology that may improve the lives of older adults and improve care are highlighted. Second, the possible applications of technology in geriatrics settings are discussed, with a focus on acute falls, dementia, and cardiac conditions. Third, real and perceived concerns in using monitoring technology are identified and addressed, including technology adoption by elderly people; stigma; and the reduction in social contact; ethical concerns of privacy, autonomy, and consent; concerns of clinicians, including information overload, licensure, and liability; current reimbursement schemes for using technology; and the reliability and infrastructure needed for monitoring technology. Fourth, future approaches to make monitoring technology useful and available in geriatrics are recommended.

The role of research methodology in the rational use of technology in monitoring and preventing communication disorders

Studies showing stronger scientific evidence related to speech, language and hearing pathology (SLP) have an impact on the prevention and rehabilitation of human communication and gained ground in SLP research agenda. In this paper we discuss some aspects and directions that should be considered for in-depth knowledge about speech, language and hearing needs in different population groups (age group, gender and other variables according to specific related disorders) for improved comprehensive care, successful efforts and effective use of financial and human resources. It is also discussed the decision making process for requesting complementary evaluations and tests, from routine to highly complex ones, that should be based on each test and/or procedure and their contribution to the diagnosis and therapeutic planning. In fact, it is crucial to have reliable parameters for planning, preventing and treating human communication and its related disorders. Epidemiology, biostatistics and social sciences can contribute with more specific information in human communication sciences and guide more specific studies on the international science and technology agenda, improving communication sciences involvement in the international health-related scientific scenario.