Continua demos in Las Vegas

The Continua Health Alliance has announced its first end-to-end connected health solution, based on Continua architecture standards.

The Alliance, which is a non-profit, open industry organisation of more than 220 healthcare and technology organisations across the world, said the development is a significant milestone in its aim to create an ecosystem of interoperable telehealth solutions.

Rick Cnossen, president and chairman of the board for Continua Alliance said: “One of Continua’s key goals has been to enable end-to end interoperability for connected health solutions.

"By providing a framework of standards-based interfaces, Continua is spurring innovation while removing barriers to global implementation and adoption.”

The new joined-up solution will be showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas from 7-10 January.

Continua member companies IBM, Nonin Medical and Vignet will demonstrate how data from consumer healthcare devices can be transmitted to hospitals, medical offices and patient administration systems.

As part of the demonstration, data from a Bluetooth enabled wireless pulse oximeter from Nonin will be sent to a PC manager that runs the Vignet connected health services platform.

The manager will then upload the data to an IBM server using the Continua wireless area network interface standard. The IBM server can then send the data, using the Continua interface to other service providers, including healthcare facilities and personal health record services.

Katherine Holland, general manager, IBM Global Life Sciences, said: “IBM is committed to enabling connected home health solutions such as remote patient monitoring, which have great potential to improve patient outcomes and deliver more affordable healthcare.

“Demonstrating an end-to-end implementation f the Continua architecture is an important milestone, and IBM is pleased to partner with Continua members to build an ecosystem of interoperable, personal connected health solutions.”

The Continua Health Alliance published Version One Design Guidelines in June 2009, which are based on proven connectivity standards in order to develop compliant connected health products and services.

The Alliance’s next design guidelines are expected in the first half of 2010 and will include two wireless technology standards.

Link: Continua Alliance