A multiparameter wearable physiologic monitoring system for space and terrestrial applications.

A novel, unobtrusive and wearable, multiparameter ambulatory physiologic monitoring system for space and terrestrial applications, termed LifeGuard, is presented. The core element is a wearable monitor, the crew physiologic observation device (CPOD), that provides the capability to continuously record two standard electrocardiogram leads, respiration rate via impedance plethysmography, heart rate, hemoglobin oxygen saturation, ambient or body temperature, three axes of acceleration, and blood pressure. These parameters can be digitally recorded with high fidelity over a 9-h period with precise time stamps and user-defined event markers. Data can be continuously streamed to a base station using a built-in Bluetooth RF link or stored in 32 MB of on-board flash memory and downloaded to a personal computer using a serial port. The device is powered by two AAA batteries. The design, laboratory, and field testing of the wearable monitors are described.

Spring: a general framework for collaborative, real-time surgical simulation.

We describe the implementation details of a real-time surgical simulation system with soft-tissue modeling and multi-user, multi-instrument, networked haptics. The simulator is cross-platform and runs on various Unix and Windows platforms. It is written in C++ with OpenGL for graphics; GLUT, GLUI, and MUI for user interface; and supports parallel processing. It allows for the relatively easy introduction of patient-specific anatomy and supports many common file formats. It performs soft-tissue modeling, some limited rigid-body dynamics, and suture modeling. The simulator interfaces to many different interaction devices and provides for multi-user, multi-instrument collaboration over the Internet. Many virtual tools have been created and their interactions with tissue have been implemented. In addition, a number of extra features, such as voice input/output, real-time texture-mapped video input, stereo and head-mounted display support, and replicated display facilities are presented.