Mobile Intelligence

Mobile medical apps for the iPhone and iPad

The success story behind smartphones and tablet computers is not being written in the world of private consumer goods alone. These mobile devices and their apps are becoming increasingly important for businesses and organizations. The Heidelberg-based Steinbeis Transfer Center for Medical Embedded Systems (MES) is currently working on a special iPhone and iPad app for doctors, medical practices and hospitals.

The advances we’re witnessing in mobile devices are stronger than ever. New models are constantly hitting the shelves, each touting newer and better technical features. 3D displays, intelligent touchscreen mechanisms, and user-friendly integrated tools dominate today’s technology offerings. Smartphones and tablet computers provide users with immediate access to the Internet and multimedia solutions. Businesses and executives that are always on the go rely on mobile devices as part and parcel of their working life. Customer data can be accessed from anywhere and business processes can be controlled at any time. Even doctors can benefit from this. Yet, until now, doctors still rely primarily on stationary computer systems to access medical data such as magnetic resonance imaging/tomography (MRI/MRT) and patient information. The ability to access patient data directly at the bedside while on ward visits or in professional discussions with fellow doctors is generally considered a vision of things to come. Even getting a second opinion is often difficult, if not impossible, if a colleague isn’t on site.

The Steinbeis Transfer Center for Medical Embedded Systems (MES) has taken this as motivation to develop mobile medical apps designed to simplify the day-to-day work of medical staff. On account of the immense popularity of iPhones and iPads among doctors, developments supported by these devices have been placed in the foreground.

The frontrunner project is the development and marketing of MITK pocket, an app that gives doctors flexible access to medical data associated with MRIs, as well as corresponding patient records, on either an iPhone or iPad. A particularly innovative feature of MITK pocket is a newly developed intelligent streaming technology which allows data to be viewed as it is being downloaded. MITK pocket also sets itself apart with the option of displaying data sets that are larger than the available main memory of the device. MITK pocket is intended to improve doctorpatient relationships by conveniently integrating patient-oriented concepts such as “bedside treatment” and “informed consent” into clinical routines based on the needs of the patient. Since doctors have limited time for training on new software solutions, developers focused on creating a simple and intuitive user interface.

Their efforts have already been rewarded: The Steinbeis MES experts received the German High Tech Champions Award for their innovative technologies, and simple and attractive user interface solutions. In addition to the € 10,000 prize money endowed by the Fraunhofer Society, MITK pocket was presented at the RSNA 2011, the world’s largest radiological congress worldwide, which is held annually in Chicago.

But that wasn’t enough for the Steinbeis MES team. They have developed yet another innovative product called MITK bones – an augmented reality application destined to take on a significant role within the field of scientific mobile apps. The app allows doctors to take a look inside patients for minimally invasive surgeries. To do this, a CT scan is made before the procedure with specially produced markers placed on the patient. The iPad’s integrated camera can help determine the positioning of these markers, so that the position of the internal organs is shown correctly on the display. In this way, the app not only helps doctors perform operations, it also helps share medical information with patients during consultations.

Contact

Professor Dr. habil. Hans-Peter Meinzer
Frederik Drosdzol

Steinbeis Transfer Center Medical Embedded Systems (MES, Heidelberg)

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