title: Body area network--a key infrastructure element for patient-centered telemedicine.
abstract: The Body Area Network (BAN) extends the range of existing wireless network technologies by an ultra-low range, ultra-low power network solution optimised for long-term or continuous healthcare applications. It enables wireless radio communication between several miniaturised, intelligent Body Sensor (or actor) Units (BSU) and a single Body Central Unit (BCU) worn at the human body. A separate wireless transmission link from the BCU to a network access point--using different technology--provides for online access to BAN components via usual network infrastructure. The BAN network protocol maintains dynamic ad-hoc network configuration scenarios and co-existence of multiple networks.BAN is expected to become a basic infrastructure element for electronic health services: By integrating patient-attached sensors and mobile actor units, distributed information and data processing systems, the range of medical workflow can be extended to include applications like wireless multi-parameter patient monitoring and therapy support. Beyond clinical use and professional disease management environments, private personal health assistance scenarios (without financial reimbursement by health agencies / insurance companies) enable a wide range of applications and services in future pervasive computing and networking environments.
authors.affiliation: Fraunhofer IIS, Am Wolfsmantel 33, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany. nor@iis.fraunhofer.de
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Norgall
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: von der Grün
mesh_terms: D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D003195:Computer Communication Networks / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000379:methods*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods