Using PDAs to Automate Vital signs Acquisition and Storage

(UPAVAS)

Sponsor:

Dr. Paul Harris, GCRC Informatics Director

Members:

Chris Heath, BME/EE

Adam Nagel, CompE

Chris Nash, EE

Brendan Soar, CompE

March 4, 2005Midterm Spring Presentation

This Presentation

• Project overview– GCRC background– Solution requirements

• Selected design approach

• Demonstration

• Future work

What is the GCRC?

• General Clinical Research Center

• GCRC monitors patients taking experimental medicines and suffering from rare medical conditions

• Patients’ vital signs are recorded frequently

• Sponsor D. Paul Harris is Informatics Director, operating and maintaining all servers and data collection systems

Measuring equipment and interfaces

• Vital signs monitors – DINAMAP Pro 1000 and MPS

Select– RS-232 (serial)– Opto-Isolated Adapter

• GCRC network– 802.11b wireless LAN w/ SSID

• Data server– MySQL server– Web-based front end for

researchers

PDA SolutionGraffiti,

Touch screen

PDA

SQL Server

Dinamap

MonitorSerial commands

Data

User Commands

Device Status

Data

Desktop Link

MySQL Commands

PDA Solution, cont.

PDA OS Bluetooth Bluetooth to Serial

Dinamap

802.11b

To GCRC network

To User Interface

Local Storage

PDA device

NI LABVIEW is the selected design approach

• Labview obtained from VUSE for free – $300-$500 for GCRC

development license

• Pocket PC support• Support for Bluetooth,

802.11b, RS232

Serial Communication Triumphs

• To verify the connection, we had the machine print binary garbage to RS232

• Once the settings were correct, we were able to trigger readings and receive messages

• Successfully triggered measurement and read heart rate

Basic Functional Algorithm

Study Start

Start NIBP determination

Status response

Request NIBP status

Started OK

Check status bit

0–“busy”

Parse string for DP, SP, MAP

1-“done”

Request HR,Parse response

Store Data to file

Upload data to server

Upload successful?

(Timer) or (User Trigger)

Yes

No

Start

Poll for monitor model

Monitor model

Pro 1000

NIBPDError

Not Started OK

NoDB upload

error handler

Alternative Handlers

Other

Yes

DEMONSTRATION

                              

Getting the data to the MySQL server

• No compatible MySQL library for PocketPC platform

• Two workarounds– Use a desktop as a “bridge”

• Desktop will run a “server” VI that relays acquired data to MySQL server using ODBC

• This can be done over Bluetooth or 802.11x

– Use PHP script on GCRC webserver

• Device can use HTTP protocol to connect, send, and retrieve data

• Can be accessed by device directly, or by desktop “bridge” above

First OptionUse a desktop as a link

• Advantages

– Involves mostly proven components

– Simple server VI application due to “data dump” method

• Disadvantages

– Requires modification of solution requirements

– PDA must be returned to central location

– More complex procedure for users

Acquisition VI

PDA

Configuration Storage

Communication VI

Server Info

Data

BluetoothCOM Port

MYSQL QueryString

Desktop Computer

AirCable on Serial Port

Server VI

ODBC

Database Server

ReturnCode

MYSQL Server

Second OptionUse HTTP to access PHP pages

• Advantages– In line with original

solution requirements

– No “data dump” or extra steps required for nurses

– Real-time monitoring of study progress

• Disadvantages– HTTP access library

for eMbedded VC++ not yet identified

• Desktop link a “fallback” if this cannot be found

Acquisition VI

PDA

Configuration Storage

Communication VI

Server Info

Data

HTTP/802.11x

ID, Vital Signs data

Webserver

HTTP/Ethernet

PHP page

Database Server

ReturnCode

MYSQL Server

Role of MySQL Connection

• Acquired data uploaded to server– Return code to ensure

successful submission; Results flagged if not successfully submitted

– PHP-based web interface allows real-time monitoring of studies

Gantt Chart

To do list

• Acquisition component– Add new features– Beta test with nurses

• Data upload component– Research identified alternatives– Develop library for uploading– Beta test library

• Field test of solution• Develop documentation, presentation materials