Wireless patient devices at risk from proposed Internet use

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "David P. Reed" <dpreed () reed com>
> Date: May 14, 2008 9:16:40 AM EDT
> To: David Farber <dave () farber net>
> Cc: ip <ip () v2 listbox com>, "Robert J. Berger" <rberger () ibd com>,  
> Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne () warpspeed com>
> Subject: Re: [IP] Wireless patient devices at risk from proposed  
> Internet use

> There is a germ of truth (perhaps a prion-sized germ or maybe just an
> amino acid) in the idea that transmitters in "white spaces" in the TV
> band *might* disrupt patient monitoring equipment if designed by a
> lunatic who believes in sending massive pulses of energy in a  
> whitespace
> in the TV band (perhaps amplified by a large parabolic dish antenna  
> the
> size of a trashcan lid or larger, aimed at the patient monitor system.
> But that risk is completely shared with zillions of other potential
> radiators of energy in the entire electromagnetic spectrum.
>
> Engineers in safety related industries (airplanes, healthcare) are
> required to shield their equipment against this risk.  There is an  
> order
> of magnitude GREATER, but identical risk in placing a hospital near  
> a TV
> broadcast antenna.   Yet this is extraordinarily common in cities
> throughout the US.
>
> GE, of course, owns NBC.   There is a MAJOR conflict of interest at  
> the
> corporate level of GE, since the NAB and the Association for Maximum
> Service Television are primary opponents of whitespace.
>
> To which part of GE should we attribute this PR campaign?   Engineers
> familiar with shielding devices such as PCs and avionics equipment  
> might
> well want to scrutinize the engineering documents behind these  
> claims of
> risk.  Preferably ones whose paychecks don't derive from bankers who  
> own
> TV stations.
>
> As an engineer, I'm persuaded by actual analyses, not claims of
> authority by companies "waving bloody shirts" about "people might  
> die".
> Let's scrutinize the analysis for a specific, well-documented piece of
> healthcare equipment.   It's easy to test the vulnerability of such a
> device.
>
> If GE would like to show us their "most vulnerable" device to test  
> in a
> test setup, perhaps we can also share their design methodology with  
> the
> trial lawyers to analyze for potential negligence.
>
> David Farber wrote:
> > Begin forwarded message:
> >
> > > *From:* "Robert J. Berger" <rberger () ibd com  
> > > <mailto:rberger () ibd com>>
> > > *Date:* May 13, 2008 3:55:24 PM EDT
> > > *To:* Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne () warpspeed com
> > > <mailto:dewayne () warpspeed com>>, David Farber <dave () farber net
> > > <mailto:dave () farber net>>
> > > *Subject:* *Wireless patient devices at risk from proposed  
> > > Internet use *
> > >
> > > Wireless patient devices at risk from proposed Internet use
> > > By DIBYA SARKAR Associated Press Writer
> > > http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/scitech/2008/05/13/D90KUIJ80_tv_vs_internet_medical_devices/print.html
> > > May 13th, 2008 | WASHINGTON -- Losing the audio feed during "Monday
> > > Night Football" may seem like a crisis for some sports fan, but it's
> > > nothing compared to losing the signal that monitors a critically ill
> > > hospital patient.
> > >
> > > The technical glitches share a potential source: the proposed use of
> > > unoccupied TV airwaves for high-speed Internet service across the
> > > country.
> > >
> > > While television networks and wireless microphone users have been
> > > fighting the idea, the medical community is also sounding the alarm
> > > over possible interference from unlicensed portable gizmos operating
> > > in a nearby spectrum. The spectrum's valuable wireless real estate  
> > > has
> > > attracted technology companies and consumer advocates who say it
> > > shouldn't remain vacant.
> > >
> > > Hospitals and medical device makers say using empty channels for
> > > unlicensed uses is a matter of life and death, not just a source of
> > > static for entertainment outlets. It could disrupt the monitoring of
> > > patients' heart rates, blood oxygen levels and other vital signs at
> > > medical facilities.
> > >
> > > "If they stop functioning for a period of time, you don't know the
> > > patient's physiological condition. This is patient care at its most
> > > basic level," says Dale Woodin, executive director of the American
> > > Society of Healthcare Engineering, an arm of the American Hospital
> > > Association.
> > >
> > > Medical device maker GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric Co.,
> > > has also weighed in, asking the Federal Communications Commission to
> > > proceed carefully in its decision to permit broadband use through
> > > those idle channels, commonly known as "white spaces."
> > >
> > > In an FCC filing last week, the company requested stricter standards
> > > to protect wireless patient-monitoring equipment, such as heart,  
> > > blood
> > > pressure and respiration devices, from being overwhelmed by other
> > > equipment operating in nearby channels.
> > >
> > > The FCC is conducting tests to find an efficient and interference- 
> > > free
> > > way to use the spectrum for broadband, but several trial devices  
> > > have
> > > either broken down or failed. A spokesman said some additional lab
> > > tests may be needed, but the agency will start field testing soon.
> > >
> > > Those white spaces, prized for their ability to travel long  
> > > distances
> > > and go through walls, will be made available when the nation makes a
> > > transition to digital TV next February. After the switch,  
> > > broadcasters
> > > will occupy channels 2 through 51, but almost half those channels in
> > > some cities will remain fallow, especially in rural areas where  
> > > there
> > > are fewer broadcasters.
> > >
> > > Technology companies, including Google Inc., Microsoft Corp. and  
> > > Dell
> > > Inc., have said low-powered, unlicensed and portable devices such as
> > > cell phones, laptops and BlackBerrys, can operate safely in the  
> > > empty
> > > spectrum without harming other signals. They say it will provide
> > > affordable high-speed Internet and spur innovation.
> > >
> > > But its potential effect on everything from baseball calls to banjo
> > > picking has attracted increasingly loud and powerful opponents.
> > > Television broadcasters, telecom carriers and wireless microphone
> > > makers and users, including Major League Baseball and the Grand Ole
> > > Opry, have rejected several proposals from the tech coalition.
> > >
> > > "The white spaces proposals being considered by the FCC could turn
> > > 'Music City' into a silent city unless they get it right," Steve
> > > Gibson, music director and producer of broadcast audio for the Grand
> > > Ole Opry, said in a statement Tuesday. The country music venue is
> > > operated by Nashville, Tenn.-based Gaylord Entertainment Co.
> > >
> > > Unlike the broadcasters and wireless mic users, GE Healthcare and  
> > > ASHE
> > > say they're not against the technology coalition's proposal, but  
> > > want
> > > tougher technical standards implemented to lessen any potential  
> > > risks.
> > > They've have had several discussions with the FCC and technology
> > > companies to find a compromise.
> > >
> > > Attorney Scott Blake Harris, who represents several technology
> > > companies, said Tuesday the coalition has agreed to the substance of
> > > GE Healthcare's proposal.
> > >
> > > "There are no insurmountable technical hurdles here," he added.
> > >
> > > <snip>
> > --- 
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