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Daily GPS News

The Cool Part is the Cane

May 18th, 2013

GPS device developers are raising cain in an effort to protect and serve the world’s elderly. One developer in particular is showing off an experimental cane with a stellar set of applications which might change the way managed care facilities work.

The idea itself is genius: The device is a standard cane with some pretty lights on top. The lights communicate to the cane’s user using icons. They help the user know which way to walk, etc. Let’s say, for instance, that a person, perhaps elderly and losing mental faculties, needs to navigate a managed care facility in order to go to the restroom. The cane itself would provide direction to the person, lighting up with arrows telling the user how to navigate the hallways–and even talking in order to provide direction.

But there’s more to this thing: This super-cane includes Bluetooth, WiFi and GPS tracking technology. The cane would help facilities track every cane user throughout–or even without–a facility. The cane may have a built-in accelerometer to detect falls or other sudden physical actions.

GPS for a Better Tomorrow

What does tomorrow’s world look like thanks to GPS? There’s obviously so much more to the industry now than tracking cargo, telling drivers how and where to navigate. Navigation has become fleet management; cargo tracking has become M2M inventory tracking and management. With GPS devices now almost ubiquitously integrated into smartphones, the devices themselves are hive-mapping areas, updating them; the GPS devices are creating the data, curating it, managing it, and making it more convenient for the end user. GPS gadgets provide hyper-accurate and meticulous measurements of sporting events.

How “Super Canes” Might Affect Consumer GPS

But few devices are designed to give the elderly better quality of life. Could the “super cane” be simply installed on an older person’s smart phone as an app? Yes. But that’s not the point. The idea of the device is creating something new, a user experience that individuals not familiar with computers and smart phone gadgets can understand. It is a well thought, challenging and visionary device, causing software and hardware developers to give pause and really think about how humans communicate with machines.

And that’s what concept products are all about. They may or may not end up on the market; that’s not the point–it’s about thinking and creating machines to build a better world.

New Research Studies Use of GPS Tracking of Those With Dementia

April 11th, 2013

Confused individuals easily wander from home and get lost, but GPS tracking of those with dementia may be a way to help find them more quickly. A recent study in Norway examined the possibilities available to patients and caregivers through this technology.

The Problem

Later in life, a significant number of individuals experience some degree of dementia. This confusion can cause a person to forget where they are or how to return home. Incidents of wandering or fear of such occurrences are a significant stressor for caregivers and frequently result in the placement of such patients in extended care facilities.

The Study

A Norwegian research project studied more than 50 patients with dementia in the five municipalities of Drammen, Baerum, Trondheim, Bjugn, and Afjord. These patients were fitted with GPS trackers that continually recorded their location. The individuals studied lived in a variety of environments including private homes, institutions, and other shared accommodations.

The Positives

Researchers found that wearing GPS trackers had a number of positive effects. Those suffering with dementia were not resistant to this form of monitoring, and the devices enabled them to enjoy higher levels of mobility, independence, and freedom. Caregivers also appreciated GPS tracking of those with dementia as it provided them with a sense of security, especially in the beginning stages of the illness. This reassurance of their loved one’s safety often enabled caregivers to continue their employment and made them better able to cope with the situation. These effects will likely enable individuals with dementia to remain longer in private homes thus decreasing the money drawn from the government for institutional care.

The Challenges

The study exposed the need for a centralized system for handling alarms generated by these GPS tracking devices. Ideally, such a system would relay alarms to local law enforcement for follow-up. In addition, there is a demand for a GPS application developed specifically for those suffering from dementia. While some systems already in existence will fill the basic need, they do not address all of the sometimes specialized requirements of these patients.

This study is an important step in the application of this technology to a very needy segment of the population. Hopefully, GPS tracking of those with dementia will continue to move forward and become a routine part of caring for these individuals.

Mediguide Integrates GPS Technology For Heart Condition Treatment

March 26th, 2013

For the first time ever, doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital are using GPS technology to help treat atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of heart arrhythmia, also known as an irregular heartbeat. It’s estimated that 2.66 million people currently suffer from heart arrhythmia. With the help of GPS tracking technology, doctors can now treat the condition more effectively than ever before.

Atrial fibrillation affects everyone differently. Some only experience an irregular heartbeat once, others suffer a few episodes, while for others it is a more on-going chronic issue. During an irregular heartbeat, the atria (the upper chambers of the heart) receives rapid, irregular electrical signals, causing these chambers to beat too fast and off-rhythm. Because the atria are not beating properly, blood is not effectively pumped and can collect within the atria. This can cause symptoms of fatigue, decreased stamina and shortness of breath. Untreated, this condition can cause chest pain, congestive heart failure and increase risk of stroke.

Previous methods of treatment were fairly effective, but required multiple chest x-rays. Unfortunately, more x-rays mean more radiation exposure, which in turn increases risk of cancer. Using a system called Mediguide, which combines a GPS device with x-ray technology, doctors have been able to decrease radiation exposure during atrial fibrillation treatment by 90 percent. The Mediguide device allows doctors to thread a catheter through a vein in the leg into the heart.

“We did it today for the first time ever, it’s never been done before,” said Dr. Moussa Mansour, director of the Cardiac Electrophysiology Laboratory and the Atrial Fibrillation Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, in an interview with Boston’s CBS station WBZ. “The hope is with this new system we will be able to get the benefit of imaging with minimum risk of radiation exposure.”

Using GPS Tracking to Expedite Organ Transplants

March 15th, 2013

Some might think an organ transplant to be an area that could not make use of GPS tracking, but that assumption would be incorrect. A recent series of coordinated kidney transplants made clear the helpful role that this technology can play.

How It Was Used

A well-known problem for those patients requiring transplants is the limited availability of donors. Many individuals spend years on a waiting list before receiving an organ, and even more die without ever having received one. This problem is prevalent even for those organs that can be secured from a living donor, such as kidneys. Although family members are willing to donate, blood type or other factors may rule them out as a match for their loved one.

Recently the National Kidney Registry organized a chain of thirty donations spanning seventeen hospitals in eleven different states. In each case, an individual gave a kidney to a stranger who then had a friend or family member who donated a kidney to another stranger and so on. From the hospital where it was harvested, each kidney was transported in a special box equipped with a GPS tracking device. This technology enabled the surgeons to know exactly where the organ was and when it would arrive at its destination.

The Benefits

Regular use of GPS devices in organ transplants could be incredibly helpful. An organ remains viable for only a short window of time after it is removed from the donor. Therefore, it is extremely important that transportation of the organ occur quickly and seamlessly. Being able to track an organ’s location could expedite that process and prevent any delays. In addition, a busy medical center may harvest several organs in a short period of time and send them on to hospitals across a wide area. The presence of a GPS tracker with each shipment could help to guard against accidental misdirection.

At present, many hospitals seek to minimize these risks by only transporting organs within a small geographic area. Thus, patients in less populated regions usually have an increased wait time before an organ is available in their area. The use of GPS tracking for transplant shipments could very well result in a streamlined transportation process that would enable routine organ transfers across a much wider geographic distance.

Saving Lives Using GPS Technology

January 23rd, 2013

Every year, thousands of people suffer from the devastating affects of lung cancer. Countless families lose loved ones to this horrendous disease all too often. New research has suggested that in the near future there will be a safe and less invasive technique to remove the cancer. Doctors from a Hospital in Melbourne, Australia have begun trial runs using a new GPS guided device to eliminate the threat of lung cancer. This new technology allows patients of this type of cancer to have curative treatment without the need for surgery or the removal of important body tissues. It is the hope of every physician involved that this new GPS equipment will help cure lung cancer patients faster and with less invasive techniques.

The process of removing the cancer in this way is actually quite simple. The physicians first use a CT scan to create a kind of “road map” of the lung in the patient. Then, using a GPS-guided bronchoscope, the doctors are able to insert and strategically place 2 centimeter-long gold rods into the patient’s tumor. Each of these gold rods will serve as a type of beacon and allow the doctors to pinpoint the cancer and use a stronger and more localized type of treatment called, stereotactic radiotherapy. One of the patients involved in one of the doctor’s first trials runs seems hopeful and the results look promising. She had already had a portion of her lung and two ribs removed from a previous bout with cancer, but this new technology could potentially save not only the possibility of having to remove more body tissues or another rib, but more importantly, her life.

After all the tests have been run, it is the hope of both the patient’s from the trial runs and the doctors involved that this type of treatment will reduce the amount of visits and doses of radiotherapy that a patient must endure. Doctors predict that they may be able to give a simple amount of four doses of the intense stereotactic radiotherapy over two weeks instead of the standard 33 doses over a span of two months. In the near future, they anticipate that this new GPS technology will save many lives from the damaging effects of lung cancer.

Kansas City, MO: LifeFlight Eagle Wins GPS Approach/Departure Auction

September 18th, 2012

Satellite Technology International (STI) and the Association of Critical Care Transport (ACCT) teamed up to offer up for auction Helicopter GPS approach and departure, proceeds to benefit further safety enhancements in the world of medical helicopters. This transaction guarantees Helicopter Emergency Medical Services in the Kansas City, MO area operates a little safer. The GPS approach and departure, worth $25,000, was donated by STI to ACCT so that they could include it as an item to be auctioned.

GPS approach and departure procedures for helicopters traveling to locations that are not an airport, like a hospital, only exist when a person or company develops its installation. They are necessary, in conjunction with instrument flight rules (IFR) operation, to ensure the safety of the crew and passengers in the event the weather takes a turn for the worst, decreasing visibility and lowering ceiling heights. These GPS systems give medical helicopters the power to reach hospitals or accident scenes safely no matter what the conditions, while also giving patients a better chance at survival as the GPS systems save time. If it weren’t for GPS approaches and departures, all helicopters, including those flying IFR, would be forced to land at an airport with instrument approaches.

The auction took place at an annual meeting held at ACCT in Colorado Springs, CO. It was determined that LifeFlight Eagle, based in Kansas City, MO, was the winner. LifeFlight Eagle plans on using the GPS approach onboard LFE 4, the company’s helicopter that flies exclusively to Children’s Mercy Hospital. Dick Whipple, VP of Operations for LifeFlight Eagle, said, “It is important for LifeFlight Eagle to support the safety and mission of the Children’s Mercy Program. Our goal is to build and expand the aviation infrastructure to better serve the region and continue to implement measures to enhance safety.”

The Director of Critical Care Transport for Children’s Mercy Hospital, Sherry McCool, said, “Expanding IFR operations at our program will improve safety for our patients and crew. IFR will allow us to complete additional flights we otherwise would have to complete by ground, thus possibly delaying care to critically ill infants and children.”

Greg Keller, president of STI, was pleased LifeFlight Eagle won the auction, although it was a tough finish, with a swarm of bids coming in minute by minute, up until the last minute from all over the country. “Satellite Technology International would like to congratulate LifeFlight Eagle and Children’s Mercy Critical Care Transport of Kansas City, MO on their winning bid for the helicopter GPS approach offered through the ACCT-sponsored silent auction. Choosing to fly IFR is a significant safety enhancement for flight crews as well as patients.” Keller was also happy to hear that ACCT planned on using the proceeds to improve safety in the entire medical helicopter community.

ACCT’s executive director Lisa Tofil thanked the STI for their auction donation. “On behalf of the members of ACCT, we sincerely appreciate STI’s donation of the installation of a helicopter GPS approach and departure. GPS infrastructure into hospitals is made possible only through the investment of an individual air medical program or company. Someone must purchase these enhancements for them to become a reality. This purchase by LifeFlight Eagle is a reflection of their commitment to improving safety and care for critically ill neonatal and pediatric patients.” This is the second time STI has donated a GPS approach to ACCT for auction.

Streamlining Communication When It’s Most Important

September 14th, 2012

Have you ever misunderstood a text message? Deleted an email because you thought it wasn’t important, when it actually was? Given up on a garbled phone message? These glitches are frustrating, but in the context of an emergency situation, they can mean the difference between preventing or failing to prevent tragedy. People in groups titled Critical Incident Response Teams (CIRTs) have to avoid misunderstanding in communication as much as possible if they are to function effectively, and a new GPS enabled software allows them to do so.

A CIRT can be a police force, a disaster response team, or emergency workers; the term simply describes a team of individuals that address a critical situation. The members of the team, and especially the leader, need frequent updates on positions, activities, and any problems that the team encounters, and in the past this has been done through walkie-talkies, text messages, and even emails. Besides the potential for error, all of these and the other common forms of communication have the disadvantage of taking the attention of team members off the emergency at hand. Even walkie-talkies must be held in one hand, and the simple act of talking out loud can be enough to distract a responder for a critical second.

Mobile Innovations has developed a GPS enabled, secure team coordination software that makes updates as simple and quick as possible. In its simplest version, a team member touches the screen of his or her Blackberry phone and the other members immediately receive an update, including the team member’s location on a map. This immediate action, prompted by the smallest of motions on the part of the team member, leaves the individual free to focus on his responsibility. Because the system works across the Blackberry phone network, it doesn’t matter how spread out the team is; instantaneous messages keep all team members notified of any changes.

The GPS system costs a force or company very little, making it even more attractive. The high security of the Blackberry network on which it operates makes it reliable, and the simple functionality reduces confusion stemming from fast typing or talking by team members in dire situations.

2-Way Pendant Takes Senior Safety to the Next Level

September 13th, 2012

Families all over the U.S. breathe more easily since the invention of easy-to-use emergency alert tools. From smartphones to GPS devices, and home alarm systems, technology is improving the speed with which emergencies can be addressed. These safety items feature long lasting batteries and the ability to broadcast an alert signal to a service center, which then relays the emergency to local responders. They usually come in the form of a pendant, which a senior living alone can place around his or her neck so that it is always within reach.

A new product is taking this safety tool to the next level, giving seniors even greater ability to quickly get help and communicate their emergency clearly. A pendant that simply alerts a service center of an emergency is useful, but the new two-way voice pendant from LifeSentry allows the user to speak to and hear the agent who receives the emergency call. With this system, the user is able to clearly state what the problem is so that the agent can more effectively dispatch help. A single button makes the pendant very easy to operate, so even a senior who is in pain or has limited mobility can make contact and talk as long as necessary to explain the situation.

That’s not the only advantage this Life Sentry pendant offers customers. Its wireless service area is much larger than those of competing products, so seniors can feel free to work in the garden or check the mail without losing signal. In addition, if the pendant loses the ability to contact the service center because of low battery life or a power outage, an automatic alert allows the center to dispatch help.

The most accident-prone area of the house, the bathroom, is often the area least conducive to using an electronic pendant. The pendant from LifeSentry, however, is water-resistant, meaning the user does not have to set it aside during bathing or showering. If the user does decide to remove it, however, the system includes optional wall-mounted devices that can provide the same communication services as the pendant. These devices are also water-resistant and can easily mount to the shower wall or within reach of the toilet.

More coverage area and a tougher exterior are just two of the advantages this pendant carries over its competitors. The real attraction of this system is its clear, two-way voice capability. When the victim can describe his or her need in detail, emergency responders can better prepare while en route and provide more effective help.

Alzheimer’s Patients in Korea to be Tracked With GPS Device

September 5th, 2012

Anyone with an Alzheimer’s-afflicted loved one knows how stressful the situation can be, especially worrying about them becoming lost. We’ve discussed here at RMT how GPS tracking of those with Alzheimer’s can restore some peace of mind to the families involved, and it appears Korea is following suit.

The Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare is weighing the option to implement a GPS tracking system to help locate those afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease in the event they wander and get lost. The ministry said they plan to affix the device to a belt or necklace with the goal of helping track down these lost patients.

The Chungnam Provincial Police Agency started using this tracking system in a pilot program in early July, and the ministry states they will not implement the program nationwide until the glitches are completely worked out. Says an official, “We are considering adopting the GPS system for the elderly with Alzheimer’s disease so that their families can quickly find them when they don’t return after leaving their residential areas. The police agency is currently running a pilot project, and we will begin the service if it proves to be successful.”

“Usually those with the disease tend to refuse to put on any device,” the official continues, “so we will have to examine whether the system receives positive feedback. We will also carefully consider whether there are any parts that violate human rights.” Currently, Alzheimer’s patients in Korea wear identification tags that make others aware they have the disease.

The police were being called out to help locate those Alzheimer’s patients who would go missing too often, resulting in too much police manpower being utilized, and thus decided to test the GPS tracking system in an effort to alleviate this problem. A police officer said, “We have collaborated with the Chungnam Provincial Office and KT, a national telecommunications company, and created the system on July 2. we plan to try the system out on 520 patients in seven cities. We’re currently at the stage of distributing the devices. We’re receiving applications from families to be part of the test project, and 178 had signed up as of last tuesday. It is too early to be receiving feedback as we’re still at the distribution stage but it will save a lot of time and money for the police if the system is adopted.”

The number of Alzheimer’s patients last year in Korea totaled 495,000 and is projected to rise to 750,000 by 2020. That figure translates to 9.1 percent of the 5.45 million elderly suffering from the disease. Roughly 20 with the disease go missing each day.

GPS Feature Added to Emergency ID Cards

April 7th, 2012

Medical emergencies are not only scary; they can also be deadly if emergency personnel do not have adequate information about the victim’s age, conditions, and medications. In 2010, the Florida-based company MyInfo911 entered the world of medical identification cards to help remedy such situations. Their products quickly rose to the top, and now the company has added a GPS feature for even more peace of mind during an emergency.

Startling Statistics
Every year, there are almost 125 million visits to the emergency room; approximately one-third of those are directly related to injuries from sporting events, outdoor activities, or home accidents. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reports that there are 106,000 deaths each year from the negative effects of medication with another 225,000 deaths due to medical errors in general. The victims range in age from the newly born to the elderly, and they come from all walks of life in all areas of the country.

Medical Identification
As has already been mentioned, the consequences of medical personnel not having the right information before treating someone can be deadly. That is why MyInfo911 has gone to such lengths to develop thorough and up-to-date medical ID cards. The front of the card gives the person’s name and a Quick Response (QR) code as well as a picture ID. The back lists the person’s year of birth, blood type, allergies, medical conditions, medications, and emergency contact information. The QR code can be scanned by any smart phone to retrieve the same information. Once the code is scanned, an automatic alert notification is sent to the contacts listed on the victim’s card. By adding GPS tracking technology, emergency responders can input the location of the emergency or the medical facility to which the victim is being transported. The feature even provides a link to a map with driving directions.

Small Price, Big Relief
Whether the card is for an aging parent, a working spouse, or an active child, the price is well worth the peace of mind. To process the card and maintain the service is only $39.95 for the first year with a $9.95 fee for each year thereafter. The kit comes with a wallet-sized medical ID card, equipped with GPS tracking technology, along with three weather-resistant ID stickers that can be applied to a vehicle, a bicycle, a helmet, a backpack, or any other personal effect. Additional cards and key tags can be purchased for a low cost as well.

No one knows when they will be involved in accident or whether they will be conscious and able to speak to first responders. The MyInfo911 ID card provides all the information needed to adequately and carefully treat the holder, and the GPS tracking feature provides quick notification to loved ones so that hopefully the emergency will not be quite so scary.