| Micronet support has helped a Calgary
researcher develop a new technology – and launch a new company
– that promises to improve patient care safety.
A Calgary hospital could be the first to field test a first-of-its-kind
"smart"camera that alerts nurses if a patient is about
to fall from bed, or is en route for a medical test.
| Smart cameras developed with Micronet's
support could become part of the "Medical Ward
of the 21st Century," a new 36-bed teaching unit
at Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary that is pilot
testing new approaches to healthcare delivery, research,
education and technology.
The trial would enable Calgary-based Smart Camera Technologies
to develop an in-field proof-of-concept, which would
help to attract venture capital.
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Developed by Dr. Wael Badawy at the University of Calgary,
with funding assistance from Micronet and other partners, this low-cost
technology uses multiple cameras and infra-red sensors to track
and code video objects, such as people, vehicles, or other moving
objects. The first application will include intelligent monitoring
systems for hospitals to create an "Intelligent Patient Room."
The technology has already produced two pending patents and one
spinoff from the University of Calgary, Smart Camera Technologies
Inc. The research behind the system spans more than six years, originating
with Dr. Badawy's PhD studies at the University of Louisiana.
"This technology goes much further than the video streaming
technology currently on the market," explains Dr. Badawy,
Chief Technology Officer of the new company, and Associate Professor
at the University of Calgary Department of Electrical and Computer
Engineering. "Our camera system takes an image and produces
intelligent data. With other systems the camera is a passive device,
and a person has to view the image to determine what is in the scene."
Founded in March 2003, Smart Camera has built its first prototype
for the transportation sector. It is now finalizing development
on a second prototype for healthcare applications, with a commercial
release expected within months. The company is making arrangements
to manufacture the circuit boards in Calgary.
Like multiple computers connected to a distributed network, dozens
or even hundreds of intelligent cameras can be linked over a wireless
and wireline network to collect, interpret, and transmit data in
real time. The system can find and track any moving object within
the field of view of the camera, and generate data on trajectory
and speed.
Support from Micronet helped to fine-tune the motion-tracking algorithms
and architecture required to track and identify objects. Dr. Badawy
also credits Micronet for advancing work on the hardware implementation
for this technology.
The technology's key advantages over existing systems are its low
power consumption and low bit rates. The latter condenses the amount
of video information being sent, making it possible to transmit
multiple video streams over low-bandwidth wireless networks.
"With our technology, we can characterize the moving objects
in real time, and we can program the system to take a particular
action, such as alerting a nursing station to an incident with a
patient," he explains.
Another advantage to Dr. Badawy's technology is that, unlike
other systems, his cameras don't require recalibration each time
they change angles, or if they are jarred in a windstorm. "That
gives our technology a real advantage in severe weather."
In addition to video cameras, the technology can be used for infrared,
ultrasonics and other specialized sensors.
In the near term, the smart cameras could become part of the "Medical
Ward of the 21st Century," a new 36-bed teaching unit at Foothills
Medical Centre in Calgary that is pilot testing new approaches to
healthcare delivery, research, education, and technology. The trial
would enable Smart Camera Technologies to develop an in-field proof-of-concept,
which would help to attract venture capital.
"In healthcare, we don't see anybody else offering what we
have, which is why the experts at Ward 21 are very interested in
following up with this technology," says Dr. Badawy. "We're
already talking about the potential for future projects –
using this technology in rural hospitals, extended care facilities,
or even for home care. Putting the system into a ward is just the
first step."
The smart camera system could also be installed on highways to
count the number of vehicles on the road or identify the distance
between cars and their relative speed – providing intelligent
feedback on current traffic conditions. Police could potentially
use the system to locate stolen vehicles.
www.micronetrd.ca
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