EBME Forums Forums Free discussion Out of Hours Technology Hand-Held Devices

Did anyone else notice what was going on at the recent gathering of the Big Shots at Davos? You know, all those Dudes in suits sitting around hunched over their *BlackBerry’s, busily **Tweeting (twitching?) away whilst supposedly listening to the speaker(s). OK, granted that those events are pretty much stage-managed affairs, but interesting all the same.

Why? Because that’s what the future shall be all about. Instant on, always on, permanent on-line, 24-hours a day, the world never stops, information on demand, real time "news" and commentary (wow, I think I feel a nap coming on).

Factor all that with what we’re seeing now in the Arab World. What is the first thing those Old Fossils do (in a vain attempt to "contain" the situation)? Well, switch off the mobile phone network(s) and internet access, of course (too late, naturally).

OK, so here we go. For some time now I have been interested in hand-held technology. Or, more specifically, its application to our sort of work.

The biomed goes into the (user) department to attend to some fault or other. Half an hour later, with the panels off the machine, and tools strewn about the place, he realises that he needs the circuit diagram, the manual, to check what parts are available, or access to the equipment history (etc.). So, what does he do? He whips out his hand-held device, and punches a few buttons!

Similarly, the service engineer, a hundred miles or more from his PC, having used his hand-held device in a similar fashion, now needs to consult his planned schedule before moving off ... etc., etc. Or, if he's really stuck, a quick "instant answer" from the ebme website!

OK, he may have a laptop (in fact may need one - an old one at that - to talk to his test equipment), but no doubt you get the picture of what I'm trying to say:- untethered, mobile, palm-sized, pocket-sized, rugged and - multi-purpose!

The in-house guy may be using Wi-Fi, but the service engineer at site will need remote internet access (and GPS) ... even if (or perhaps, especially) he's in the middle of the bush, or some such place.

The convergence of mobile technologies, the distinctions between mobile phones, PDA’s and other hand-helds continues apace.

Is anyone of us already doing stuff like this? What technologies are being used? Which platform is the one to go for (especially in regard of in-house software development)? Windows CE, Palm ... whatever?

What about the size (format) of the device itself? Is pocket sized too small? Should we be thinking about a "tablet" sized toy? As mentioned recently, perhaps the Pandora represents a good starting point. Or even, the PSP2?

What about integration with biomed test equipment (with hand-held devices)? Some of which are now "palm-sized" themselves?

No doubt that Big Companies can offer wondrous systems geared towards the biomed scene (with the corresponding Big Price Tag, no doubt), but my own take on stuff like this is open-source, and cheap integration of existing technologies. I can’t really claim to be an "early adopter" myself (not with a mobile phone that is now seven years old, which cost me only £ 40 even then), but rather enjoy the challenge of doing stuff for next to nowt. Hey, I’ve only recently got rid of my Psion Series 3’s (no internet access)!

So guys ... any thoughts or ideas? What are you all doing now?

Meanwhile, here are links to earlier threads with some relevance to what I’m saying:-

One
Two

And here are a couple of websites worth keeping an eye on:-

Medical Connectivity
Tech Reviews

And (lastly), a couple of "hand-held" forums and/or blogs:-

FSA
GPS
R&M

* Other hand-held technologies may be (and indeed, are) available.
** Other social networking websites may be (and indeed, are) available.

Interestingly, a Wise One on another forum has suggested Android or iOS as possible development platforms (although it must be said that he is into games).

There again, there is always the BlackBerry OS. Or Symbian*. And Windows Mobile or CE. Some of that stuff seems pretty "open" (with SDK's available, etc.), whilst others appear to be a bit, umm, "closed". So that's them kicked into touch, then!


Yes, what a mess! But probably more lines of code than the program "running" (plodding?) the www.police.uk website, then!

To my mind, if anyone is planning to put in time and effort in developing applications for hand-held devices, then s/he needs to be sure that the fruits of all that labour will end up working on as many platforms (devices) as possible. I can't help but wonder if good old DOS isn't in fact the answer (oh, titter ye not). That is, develop in DOS, and then run the app(s) on whatever hardware-software combinations ("platforms") support DOS emulators (and I'm hoping that many - or even most - do). Hey, it could be a chance (excuse?) to take another look at my old DOS stuff!

Android
BlackBerry
iOS
Palm
Symbain
Windows

* The successor to Psion, in case anyone was wondering (and therefore very "worthy", in my opinion)!

Geoff
Our IT department have some tablet PCs that they are letting people have a play with to see if they have a use for them. We liked the idea. Small enough to carry with a tool kit but big enough to see a service manual etc but the real use came with a reali time link to the database for job logging etc. IF an engineer is out fixing something they canreceive the next job directly without having to return to the workshop just to pick up a piece of paper. It your also make logging on of large assets such as x-ray rooms easy no more bits of paper with scribbled notes and then back t base to use the computer. And with a 3G dongle there is no limit to the range you can visit satelite units and community places with the same technology.
Also a tablet PC uses a "standard" operating system so no need for special software, You could use a laptop in the same way but the tablet is smaller and easier to carry round andd use.
The technology is out there why not use it?
RoJo

Yes, Robert, that's the idea (exactly)!

I believe that this could - should - be the "next big thing" in the biomed world. Especially as it ticks all the right boxes, including important ones like "efficiency", and "productivity", does it not? And, this time around, Yours Truly would like to be a participant, rather than a Johnny Come Lately (dipping out, as usual)!

Care to share with us the technologies involved. And which "standard" operating system?

All this stuff has prompted me to fire up the "DOS-box" in XP (which is, if I'm not very much mistaken, actually a DOS emulator) and call up one of my old creations from the (good old) DOS days.

Running in a 5x12 window of 80 by 28 dimensions, on the screen I have here it appears as a nice little "app", almost like a calculator. But it in fact contains a reasonably complete "equipment management system", complete with job records, parts, PM, contact addresses and all the rest. With care (and up to a point), it will even allow "cut and paste" to and from other applications. Or even, this forum ... as this post proves (although you'll need to take my word for that)!

Writing stuff from scratch for a specific platform is a bit of a gamble. It takes a great deal of time and effort, which could end up being largely wasted if the platform selected subsequently falls out of favour. So, for me at least, building upon earlier work has great appeal!

Yes, I agree with what you're saying. The technology is out there ... but it doesn't have to be the latest stuff, especially if you want to it cheaply.

And that's why (as far as I'm concerned at any rate) it may need to be an Android on a special deal at Maplin's, or a lucky bid on eBay (or some such thing).

But despite not really being a pocket-sized hand-held, is the tablet form-factor the one to go for? Perhaps it is. Am I right in assuming no hard-drive? That's the main difference vis-à-vis a laptop, is it not (and therefore, hopefully, more rugged, robust, whatever)?

But, for some reason, I still like the look of the Pandora. I wonder if there's a DOS emulator available for that one yet?

Meanwhile, there's obviously a lot of stuff out there!

And here's yet another possibility I have just been alerted to.

Someone out there (on another forum) is looking out for me, for sure:-

Emulators
DOSBox

It's starting to look like I need to start saving up for a Pandora, then.

Here's some more about DOSBox. Plus even more!

Never mind Pandora ... I think I may have stumbled upon the one I'm really looking for!

Well, surely the next "next big thing" for small portable medical equipment is going to be "wireless charging" (of batteries).

Just imagine ... no more having to "remind" staff to leave kit plugged into the mains.

As usual, there are a number of competing technologies emerging, but it looks as though A4WP may be the one that ultimately dominates.

It's interesting to note that the basis of how the A4WP approach works is magnetic resonance.

The nurses already have wireless charging for pumps - that is why they are never plugged in.
Well I asume they have.......

What's that ... they're ignoring those "Please leave me plugged into the mains" stickers?

Having (over the years) tried all sorts of "persuasive tactics", with varying degrees of success ... I reckon that the only way we are going to win that particular battle is through technology.

So I shall be keeping an eye on A4WP with great interest!