The FCC www.fcc.gov has issued a “Reconsideration and Second Report and Order” to amend the rules to provide the spectrum needed to operate Medical Body Area Networks. (MBAN). This is being done to further develop and deploy new and innovative MBAN devices.
The FCC Order states “MBAN technology provides a platform for the wireless networking of multiple body-worn sensors used to measure and record physiological parameters and other patient information. MBANs can also be used to diagnose patients or used for therapeutic functions primarily in healthcare facilities.” Go to http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2014/db0821/FCC-14-124A1.pdf to read the FCC order.
MBAN devices help to ensure patient safety, provide care, and comfort since physically connecting sensors to essential monitoring equipment can provide a cost-effective way to monitor patients in healthcare institutions. MBAN systems can provide clinicians with more extensive real-time data to permit faster patient intervention.
In the first Report and Order, FCC restricted MBAN operation to the 2360-2390 MHz band to use indoors at healthcare facilities for less than 24 hours. The FCC was asked to revise the scope of MBAN in the first order, so that MBANs can be used in the 2360-2390 MHz band by hospitals and similar facilities to provide medical treatment for patient stays of 24 or more hours.
The Second Report and Order also limits the types and numbers of medical institutions in the 2360-2390 MHz band to make it easier for both the MBAN and Aeronautical Mobile Telemetry (AMT) coordinators to establish, implement, and enforce efficient and effective coordination procedures.
In addition, MBANs are allowed to communicate with each other with medical body-worn transmitters only in the 2360-2400 MHz band to a MedRadio programmer, control transmitter, or another medical body-worn transmitter device that is part of the same MBAN. A MedRadio programmer/control transmitter may not be used to relay information in the 2360-2400 MHz band to other MedRadio programmer/controller transmitters.
The second Report and Order, finalizes the process for the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau http://wireless.fcc.gov to select a MBAN Coordinator. Initially, the FCC will select only one MBAN coordinator for a ten year term. The MBAN coordinator may rely on a third-party consultant for technical services necessary to fulfill their responsibilities.
The MBAN coordinator must demonstrate:
- Ability to register and maintain a database of MBAN transmitter locations and operational parameters
- Knowledge of or experience with medical wireless systems in healthcare facilities
- Knowledge of or experience with AMT operations
- Ability to calculate and measure interference potential between MBAN and AMT operations and establish coordination agreements with the AMT coordinator
- Ability to develop procedures to ensure that registered healthcare facilities operate an MBAN consistent with the requirements in Section 95.1223.