ZigBee and Healthcare - Really??
15/04/09 14:51 Filed in: wireless medical
Please start by reading my previous blog entry on ZigBee/802.15.4. Bottom line is that I don't believe that using ZigBee for healthcare applications is an appropriate use of technology. I could be wrong, but time will tell.
Here's the link to their (ZigBee Alliance) recent releases:
New ZigBee Health Care Profile: Helping People Live Healthier and Independent Lives
www.zigbee.org/healthcare
I'll admit that I'm seeing some applications, but none that are fully deployed, just in testing. I also know of many companies that evaluated, then discontinued medical applications exploring ZigBee.
So, even though their press release talks about non-critical applications, the first one I ran across is the NaviCare Clinical Connectivity system shown at last week's HIMSS show by Hill-Rom. When questioned about the technology chosen (802.15.4) they responded that it works well, but admitted that was a sample size of 2 clinical sites.
The wireless adapter is about the size of 4 decks of playing cards with a battery life "as long as the device it attaches to". I believe that it may be an issue with their customers to recharge not only the unit, but the wireless adapter (with a separate connection). We'll see...
If I've learned anything from my Bluetooth experience, it is that new wireless technology takes time to evaluate and deploy. ZigBee is at least 5 years behind Bluetooth and will re-learn many lessons. The big question is whether the critical mass develops to keep it going for the long term.
Here's the link to their (ZigBee Alliance) recent releases:
New ZigBee Health Care Profile: Helping People Live Healthier and Independent Lives
www.zigbee.org/healthcare
I'll admit that I'm seeing some applications, but none that are fully deployed, just in testing. I also know of many companies that evaluated, then discontinued medical applications exploring ZigBee.
So, even though their press release talks about non-critical applications, the first one I ran across is the NaviCare Clinical Connectivity system shown at last week's HIMSS show by Hill-Rom. When questioned about the technology chosen (802.15.4) they responded that it works well, but admitted that was a sample size of 2 clinical sites.
The wireless adapter is about the size of 4 decks of playing cards with a battery life "as long as the device it attaches to". I believe that it may be an issue with their customers to recharge not only the unit, but the wireless adapter (with a separate connection). We'll see...
If I've learned anything from my Bluetooth experience, it is that new wireless technology takes time to evaluate and deploy. ZigBee is at least 5 years behind Bluetooth and will re-learn many lessons. The big question is whether the critical mass develops to keep it going for the long term.