Development of wireless medical systems for recording biomedical parameters, created at ITAM in recent years, in light of global achievements in the field

Progress in technology and the demand for systems used for psychophysiological measurements, which record several synchronous parameter / signal types at a time, have a significant impact on the increasing number of innovative solutions available in the market. This article focuses on the design and engineering path of the created systems with special emphasis on the latest solutions, developed at the Institute of Medical Technology and Equipment (ITAM) in Zabrze. Competitive systems and other systems are also referred to by way of a comparative analysis, both in terms of their benefits and drawbacks. The overview shows that the new system may become a competitive solution for the already existing options and that it is characterized by a number of properties that make it unique

Examples of the use of wireless transmission systems in the monitoring of patients during cardiac rehabilitation at home

ITAM completed work on developing a prototype of the system designed to monitor and conduct cardiac rehabilitation at home. In the course of project execution, a number of devices have been made or adapted to work within the system. The primary problem to be solved was to develop a way of communication for these devices, which would allow the transmission of necessary data in a way that would be convenient for the patient and provide the staff supervising the patient with easy access to this data. Ensuring correct operation the system required a variety of cooperating transmission systems to be used. Communication within the apartment utilizes a wireless network based on a Bluetooth link. The parent node of this network is the Base Station, which is also an intermediary for communication between devices within the apartment and the Centre for Monitoring and Communications. The main module carried by the patient is the ECG module that, in addition to its measurement function, serves as a personal area network node based on elements of the ANT standard supporting the Messenger carried by the patient. This module is also tasked with supervising the patient outside the apartment, making communication with the Centre possible via a GSM/GPRS network. The Base Station exchanges information with the Monitoring and Communication Centre located on a server via the Internet. Access for the patient's doctor or support worker to the Monitoring Centre is possible from any computer with access to the Internet by logging onto the Centre's server

Is Vitamin D3 a Worthy Supplement Protecting against Secondary Infections in Dogs with Atopic Dermatitis?

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a common, chronic, inflammatory skin disease in dogs worldwide. This disease often predisposes for secondary organisms overgrowth and skin infections with pathogens, such as Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Malassezia pachydermatis. Unfortunately, the causes of this disease in both humans and animals are not fully understood; therefore, the only possible option is a lifelong, symptomatic treatment. The management of CAD is mainly based on limiting contact with allergens and antipruritic therapy, most often with glucocorticoids and antihistamines. A serious problem in this situation is the fact, that long-term administration of glucocorticoids leads to side effects like polyuria, alopecia, increased susceptibility to infection, muscle atrophy, and many others. For this reason, great emphasis is placed on the development of replacement and supportive therapies. It is a well-documented fact that reduced concentrations of serum vitamin D3 contribute to the severity of atopic dermatitis symptoms in humans. Moreover, unlike the most commonly used therapeutic methods, of which the main goal is to ameliorate inflammation and pruritus, namely the symptoms of AD, vitamin D3 supplementation affects some underlying factors of this disease. Therefore, in this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the role of vitamin D3 in CAD, its protective effect against secondary bacterial and fungal infections, and the potential of its supplementation in dogs