Design and implementation of satellite-based networks for global deployment of U-Health

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Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item
Title:	Design and implementation of satellite-based networks for global deployment of U-Health
Creators Name:	Graschew, G., Roelofs, T.A., Rakowsky, S. and Schlag, P.M.
Abstract:	Over the last fifteen years OP 2000 has implemented various satellite-based networks for telemedicine supporting the use of distributed medical intelligence. Such networks contribute to the improvement of the quality of medical care, to the cost-effective use of medical resources and to quick and reliable decisions. This use of modern Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as enabling tools for healthcare services (eHealth) has introduced new ways of creating ubiquitous access to high-level medical care for all, anytime and anywhere (uHealth). Especially the prominent role of space technologies has recently been elaborated and defined in the corresponding white paper by the Telemedicine Study Group of the European Space Agency (in which amongst others CNES and OP 2000 participated; see ref..). The high-end interactive video communication system WinVicos has been especially designed for telemedical applications like teleconsultation and second opinion and offers a superior image quality at a moderate transmission bandwidth of 0.5-1 Mbps. In the GALENOS project the first satellite-based trans-European competence network for telemedicine has connected 14 clinics in 6 countries (amongst others with MEDES, Sophia Antipolis, Eutelsat, OP 2000, etc.). In the DELTASS project (lead by CNES and with further participation of Alcatel, MEDES, OP 2000, etc.) a satellite-based system for telemedical support in cases of disaster emergencies has been demonstrated. In MEDASHIP a system for telemedical support on-board of cruise ships and ferries has been set-up and evaluated. The EMISPHER project provides an equal access for most of the Euro-Mediterranean countries to online services for healthcare in the required quality of service. All these innovative developments in ICT over the last decade, aiming at the global deployment of u-Health bear the risk of creating and amplifying a digital divide in the world. Therefore we have analyzed how the objective needs of the heterogeneous partners can be joined with the result that there is a need for real integration of both the various technology platforms (Quality of Service) and the various Classes of Services. A virtual combination of applications serves as the basic concept for the development of a Virtual Hospital (VH). Virtualisation of hospitals supports the creation of ubiquitous organisations for healthcare, which amplifies the attributes of physical organisations by extending its power and reach. Instead of people having to come to the physical hospital for information and services the virtual hospital comes to them whenever they need it. The VH aims to facilitate and accelerate the interconnection and interoperability of the various platforms and services being developed (by different organisations at different sites) through a real integration. The methodologies of the VH are medical-needs driven instead of technology driven, and include new management tools for virtual medical communities, a modular architecture for integration of different telemedical solutions in one platform, Grid infrastructures and services for successful deployment of distributed services like acquisition and processing of medical images (3D patient models), data storage, archiving and retrieval, data mining, computer-assisted support systems, etc.. The VH will support a wide implementation of evidence-based medicine and will thus contribute to global improvements in healthcare.
Source:	SPACE APPLI 2008 - Space Applications Days
Date:	2008

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