Category: Product Review, Life Scope Patient Monitoring Networking
In this record we reviewed the Life Scope BSM-1700 series transport monitor working with SC-170R AC Cradle and clarify the cause for patient location confusion as notified by the manufacturer.
Patient location Confusion at Central Nurse Station to avoid when transferring patients on Life Scope PT (BSM-1700 series) monitors from one SC-170R AC Cradle to another.
In this record we reviewed the Life Scope BSM-1700 series transport monitor working with SC-170R AC Cradle and clarify the cause for patient location confusion as notified by the manufacturer.
Patient location Confusion at Central Nurse Station to avoid when transferring patients on Life Scope PT (BSM-1700 series) monitors from one SC-170R AC Cradle to another.
The Patient Monitoring (Ethernet) Communication Protocols were designed for the 1990s first-generation digital monitors
Life Scope S (BSS-9800) Bedside Station was the first
Life Scope model to offer Ethernet LAN connectivity, and launched
in August 1998 internationally.
The Life Scope S Bedside Station
was to herald to the export market NIHON KOHDEN
was finally into the digital age.
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| Life Scope S (BSS-9800) Bedside Station |
The
top-model Life Scope S bedside station was complemented by a
lower-priced Life Scope M (BSM-9510)
bedside monitor, using the same digital network infrastructure as Life
Scope S for the exchange of
digital measurement data, as well as the network protocols for patient monitoring. The Life Scope M bedside monitor had a
built-in six-slot module rack and shared the same basic modules as the
Life Scope S bedside station.
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| Lower-priced Life Scope M (BSM-9510) modular bedside monitor |
Life
Scope M modular monitor was launched in June 1999, and the
first sign things had gone badly wrong was its sudden withdrawal from the market just not long after its launch. The Life Scope M bedside monitor has less processing power than the Life Scope S bedside station; the
abrupt end to BSM-9510 (Life Scope M) modular monitor showed there was serious
doubts about the performance of the new modular bedside monitor even as a
basic patient monitor. There was no official confirmation of product
withdrawal so for a long time until the release of configured Life Scope
A (BSM-5100) series monitors, it looked like the problem could be fixed.
 |
| Life Scope M (BSM-9510) modular monitor suffered the terrible destiny of a quick death |
The two modular monitors were found lacking before they could be marketed in the USA market.
The cause of the failure for Life Scope S and Life Scope M modular monitors was the problematic network infrastructure needed by modular monitors for data exchange between modules and main unit. This resulted in Life Scope S bedside station functioning only as a limited monitor while the Life Scope M bedside monitor had to be withdrawn from the market due to insufficient processing power.
There were two digital real-time data network infrastructures used by BSS-9800 Life Scope S bedside station. The software supporting the Ethernet network linking patient monitors to the Central Nurse Station proved stable but the software supporting the network linking the modules to the main units of BSS-9800 bedside station/ BSM-9510 bedside monitor was unreliable and the network infrastructure had to be given up to avoid incurring more unbearable losses. The failure also meant further development work for Life Scope S bedside station was no longer feasible, and the end for Life Scope M bedside monitor.
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| The unsatisfactory data exchange network infrastructure for communication among main unit and modules could not be improved |
The product failure of the modular monitors was huge financial losses incurred at a time when the company was already suffering badly from poor sales due to the lack of digital technology know-how.
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| NIHON KOHDEN had long given up the problematic network linking main unit and modules |
The failure of the two modular monitors was a big setback to the development efforts, as many experienced engineers were sidelined. The clinical network protocols, which define behaviors for communication on the network connecting bedside monitors and central monitors, is now only in maintenance mode and lacking new initiatives.
The
Life Scope Real-time patient monitoring Ethernet Protocols only work when the monitors do not move from place to place. Before the SC-170R,
the monitors were always fixed to each location and patient would only be
transferred from one monitor to another. With the advent of the SC-170R, the
assumption no longer holds true and the old protocols need a fundamental
revamp to accommodate patients moving together with their monitors while maintaining links to a central monitor.
NIHON KOHDEN AC Cradle SC-170R for Life Scope PT (BSM-1700 series) Transport Monitor can only be for telemetry use in Japan
We have discussed Life Scope PT BSM-1700 series from prospective of it being an INPUT UNIT but the monitor was also being promoted as having ability like Draeger's "Pick and Go",
This means using the Life Scope PT like an ordinary monitor instead of what it was designed for, which is as an input unit that can be switched into a transport monitor. Cost is obviously the first obstacle.
When used as an ordinary monitor, the Life Scope PT (BSM-1700 series) needs power and connectivity to the real time Ethernet network. This is provided by the SC-170R AC Cradle.
The SC-170R AC CRADLE is connected to an AC Supply and has the necessary DC needed by Life Scope PT monitor to charge its batteries as well as powering the monitor. It also has an Ethernet connector which is linked to the network I/F of the BSM-1700 when the latter is placed on it. Thus, with the AC Cradle, a BSM-1700 monitor will have continuous power and wired Ethernet connectivity to a Central Nurse Station in real time.
This means using the Life Scope PT like an ordinary monitor instead of what it was designed for, which is as an input unit that can be switched into a transport monitor. Cost is obviously the first obstacle.
When used as an ordinary monitor, the Life Scope PT (BSM-1700 series) needs power and connectivity to the real time Ethernet network. This is provided by the SC-170R AC Cradle.
The SC-170R AC CRADLE is connected to an AC Supply and has the necessary DC needed by Life Scope PT monitor to charge its batteries as well as powering the monitor. It also has an Ethernet connector which is linked to the network I/F of the BSM-1700 when the latter is placed on it. Thus, with the AC Cradle, a BSM-1700 monitor will have continuous power and wired Ethernet connectivity to a Central Nurse Station in real time.
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| Life Scope BSM-1700 monitor on a SC-170R AC Cradle |
Above picture shows a BSM-1700 monitor resting on an AC Cradle and it is easily released mechanically by a lever.
The Patient Monitoring Network Protocols Need Upgrading To Factor in Monitor Movements
First, do not forget the monitor does not have WiFi when it is on the move. The details we have recorded elsewhere.
The manufacturer had relayed an important "Sales Note" to the distributors. Even though BSM-1700 bedside monitor on an AC Cradle can be released and easily moved from one AC Cradle to another at a different location, there exists data confusion if it is part of a central monitoring network!
The manufacturer had relayed an important "Sales Note" to the distributors. Even though BSM-1700 bedside monitor on an AC Cradle can be released and easily moved from one AC Cradle to another at a different location, there exists data confusion if it is part of a central monitoring network!
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| Alert! Life Scope PT placed on a SC-170R AC Cradle can cause confusion to a Central Monitor! |
In
the above monitoring setup with a Central Monitor, the manufacturer had
reported the Central Monitor would still remember the last bed
locations even if the patients (together with the Life Scope PT monitor) had been swapped between BED ONE and BED
TWO. This is serious matter.
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| Bedside Monitors do not move in this patient transfer |
Below shows part of the relevant note to sales teams. There is no indication that the company is capable of fixing it yet.
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| Do not use the AC Cradle with a central monitor |
| It is not simply a matter of manual adjustment |
|---|
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| The problem is the LS-NET networking protocols |