| Title | Real-time video in the neonatal intensive care nursery |
| Author(s) | Armfield N, Donovan T, Wootton R. |
| Source | Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, Vol. 11, Pages 81-85 |
| Publication Date | 2005 (Suppl 2) |
| Abstract |
We have developed a prototype mobile camera to
investigate the feasibility of transmitting a view of an
infant through the wall of an intensive-care nursery
incubator. The same device was also evaluated as a
mechanism for transmitting neonatal X-ray images. The
apparatus consists of a mobile stand carrying a pan/tilt/
zoom camera (SNC-RZ30P, Sony). The camera has wired
and wireless Ethernet interfaces and is remotely
controllable using a standard Web browser. The camera
captures live video at 25 frames per second, has a 25
zoom lens and produces a 640480 pixel colour image.
Experiments were carried out in intensive-care nursery
conditions, with a variety of lighting levels, to view a
dummy infant through the double perspex wall of an
incubator and to capture an X-ray image of a neonate
displayed on a lightbox.
Wear and tear features evident to the naked eye on the
dummy were used to test the optical zoom capabilities of
the camera through the incubator wall. The apparatus
successfully captured clear and stable images of the
dummy infant. Key issues which affected image quality
included the lighting level, positioning of the camera with
regard to the incubator wall and the use of manual focus.
Images of neonatal X-rays were also successfully captured
and transmitted. The quality of transmission was sufficient
to allow endotracheal tube position and the presence of
air leaks to be assessed reliably without changing
transmission parameters.
The preliminary findings suggest that diagnostic
information useful in improving neonatal outcomes can
be transmitted using relatively simple and unobtrusive
apparatus from remote sites of neonatal care. Correspondence: Nigel Armfield, Centre for Online Health, Level 3, Foundation Building, Royal Children’s Hospital, Herston 4029, Australia (Fax: þ61 7 3346 4705; Email: N.R.Armfield@uq.edu.au) |