Dataset on multichannel connectivity and video transmission carried on commercial 3G/4G networks in southern Sweden.

In this data article, we report real-world data on multichannel connectivity and videotransmission carried on commercial 3G/4G networks in the region of Skåne, southern Sweden. The data reported here complement the research article "Technical feasibility and ambulance nurses' view of a digital telemedicine system in pre-hospital stroke care - A pilot study" (1). The dataset was originally collected as part of a project aimed to test in a clinical setting the quality and usefulness of a linked image and sound transmission in the prehospital assessment of patients with suspected stroke. The project built on previous studies indicating that using high-quality telemedicine in stroke cases is feasible and has already impacted local stroke care Schwamm et al., 2009. In addition, studies support the hypothesis that stroke telemedicine consultations, compared with telephone-only, result in more accurate decision-making Demaerschalk et al., 2012. Cellular networks for 3/4G networks have been greatly improved, a prerequisite for the use of these networks for e. g. medical applications. However, connectivity maps for planning purposes are usually based on theoretical values that do not consider smaller features of the terrain such as large trees, hills, rocks etc. and that may interfere with connectivity. To leverage several networks, multichannel devices have been developed that split the original transmission onto several independent channels and recombine the transmission on the receiver side. This setup allows to increase the available bandwidth and introduces at the same time an element of redundancy, provided that several providers with independent networks are used.

Technical feasibility and ambulance nurses' view of a digital telemedicine system in pre-hospital stroke care - A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: High-quality telemedicine in cases of suspected stroke has comparable precision with on-site medical examinations. A novel technical concept was developed in order to deliver a video/audio system to achieve more efficient patient assessment and diagnostic support. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present pilot-study was to evaluate in a clinical setting the quality of a linked image and sound transmission in the prehospital assessment of patients with suspected stroke. In addition, we wanted to elucidate how ambulance nurses experienced the use of this innovative technology. DESIGN: The study used a quantitative method using questionnaires with fixed response options, combined with a qualitative approach to assess complementary statements of prehospital emergency care nurses (PEN) that had used the system. METHODS: The study was conducted in one ambulance care office and one hospital in southern Sweden. Six PEN and one neurological specialist (Dr) expressed their perceptions based on 11 cases with suspected stroke. Responses were assessed in the dimensions of the technology (Dr - image quality/sound quality; Dr and PEN), safety, sense of increased control and uniform assessment. A questionnaire technique was used, complemented with a qualitative part of the content analysis (PEN views). RESULTS: In the technology dimension, the Dr evaluated the image quality as Very good to Good (100%) while 75% of PEN answered that the digital stroke concept felt reliable to use and the digital stroke assessment is believed to increase uniform assessment. Asked if the present digital concept should be further developed and if further digital systems should be developed in general, the PEN were split in their responses (50 vs 50%), which could be related to a conception of unclear efficacy of the concept. Descriptions of the decisive comments emerged in three categories; Minor operating interference, Physician's competence crucial and Unclear efficacy. CONCLUSION: All respondents seem to have confidence in the assessed digital stroke concept. The image quality is perceived suitable in the assessment situation but the nurses expressed ambiguity about the efficiency of the entire concept. The ambulance nurses also highlighted the physician's skills and personality as important factors for further development of the concept.

A hip surgery simulator based on patient specific models generated by automatic segmentation.

The use of surgical simulator systems for education and preoperative planning is likely to increase in the future. A natural course of development of these systems is to incorporate patient specific anatomical models. This step requires some kind of segmentation process in which the different anatomical parts are extracted. Anatomical datasets are, however, usually very large and manual processing would be too demanding. Hence, automatic, or semi-automatic, methods to handle this step are required. The framework presented in this paper uses nonrigid registration, based on the morphon method, to automatically segment the hip anatomy and generate models for a hip surgery simulator system.

Computer-simulated phacoemulsification.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a simulator for training in phacoemulsification to be used as a learning device for both beginners and experienced surgeons to shorten the learning curve. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: The system consists of a personal computer, a 3-dimensional visual interface, a phacoemulsification handpiece, and a nucleus manipulator and foot pedals for control of the phacoemulsification procedure and microscope adjustments. The simulation is based on generalized simulation software that can be also used for the development of other medical simulations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Qualitative statements given in a questionnaire. Medical students and ophthalmic surgeons with varying experience of phacoemulsification were tested. RESULTS: A simulator for training in phacoemulsification has been developed. The surgical procedures can be practiced any number of times, and there is no risk to patients. The efforts of the surgeon can be evaluated objectively. CONCLUSIONS: Studies have shown that the number of complications for an ophthalmic surgeon learning phacoemulsification decreases exponentially, reaching close to the asymptote only after several hundred procedures. Simulator training might shorten the learning period, reduce expensive supervision by an experienced surgeon, and maintain and improve the skills of experienced surgeons.