| Wireless tablet mobilizes medical data |
Mar. 06, 2007
 After two years of research, Emano Tec Inc. has finally launched the product it was formed to create: a wireless tablet for health care professionals. The Windows CE-based MedTab bedside documentation tool allows clinicians to remotely access detailed medical records, and features several levels of security.
(Click here for a larger image of the MedTab tablet)
MedTab incorporates a customized version of Windows CE as its software platform. Because of this, existing applications can be transferred to MedTab using a CAB file, just like in a standard PDA, the company says.
Everything about MedTab was designed for its exclusive medical audience. The large, 41.25 square-inch E-Ink (electronic ink) display lets doctors view detailed medical charts with greater ease than on normal-sized PDAs. Yet, at 0.5 inches thick and weighing 12 ounces, the device is "small and light enough to carry in a lab coat pocket," according to the company. Additionally, its built-in rechargeable battery lasts for a whole medical shift (8- 12 hours) without recharging. The splash-resistant tablet can even be disinfected.
Key specifications for the MedTab, as listed by the company, include:- Processor -- Intel PXA270, clocked at up to 624MHz
- Memory -- 64MB SDRAM; 16MB flash
- Display:
8.1-inch (205.7mm) diagonal
- 1024 x 768 pixels
- 16-level gray scale
- User I/O:
- Touchscreen with handwriting recognition and recording, soft keys, PIC lists, menus
- Voice recording and recognition
- Bluetooth microphone (option)
- Data capture:
- Magnetic card reader (option)
- Bar Code reader (option)
- RFID reader (option)
- Finger print recognition (option)
- Wireless:
- WiFi 802.11 b/g
- BlueTooth (optional)
- Power:
- Battery type -- Li-Ion 3V.7, 1800 mAh
- Average run time -- 6 hours (12 hours with optional larger battery)
- Recharge time -- 2 hours
- Mechanical/environmental:
- Operating temperature: 0 to 40 degrees Celsius
- Weight -- 9.5 oz. (270g)
- Dimensions -- 5.5 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches (140 x 190 x 12mm)
- Rugged -- withstands 3-ft drop onto concrete, being splashed with fluids, and wiped clean with disinfectant
- Software:
- Windows CE 5.0 operating system
- Internet browser
- XML, HTML support
- WAV Audio Support
Emano Tec considers one of the most crucial aspects of MedTab to be its security. Accordingly, the company says it has included extensive measures in the device to safeguard medical data. This is essential due to the extremely stringent Federal regulations regarding the privacy of patients' medical information. These regulations are known collectively as HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
For a user interface, the MedTab utilizes Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser configured to act as an OS shell, according to the company. The device functions in "kiosk mode" to avoid user tampering, and defaults to "lock down" status to avoid end-user modification. Unauthorized remote data access is protected by 802.11 security protocols, which the company hopes will block hackers from gaining access to the system. Security is further enhanced by Cisco's OEM (original equipment manufacturer) security client, as well as by means of a built-in fingerprint scanner.
Emano Tec announced the release of MedTab at the HMISS 2007 trade show in New Orleans, last week. The Massachusetts-based company includes a board of advisors headed by Dr. John Halamka MD, MS, Chief Information Officer at Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and the Harvard Clinical Research Institute. Dr. Halamka is also chairman of the New England Health Electronic Data Interchange Network and an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Harvard Medical School.
Availability
According to Emano Tec CEO Wayne Bailey, the MedTab is currently available as a developer version, enabling IT departments of hospitals, etc., to test their applications and evaluate the device. Additionally, a software development kit (SDK) will be offered based on customer demand. Production shipments are expected within six months. Pricing was not disclosed. For further information, visit the company's website.
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