Bay Networks Demonstrates SynOptics LattisCell ATM Switches in Telemedicine Application

Strategic Insights -

Bay Networks, in cooperation with Washington University's Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology and Southwestern Bell Telephone, demonstrated a multimedia telemedicine system at the 1995 National Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Conference and Exhibition. The system leveraged Bay Networks' Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) switching capabilities to enable simultaneous information sharing, video conferencing, and interactive distance consultation among multiple medical sites within a real-time radiology environment.

Key Takeaways:

  • The demonstration featured Bay Networks' high-speed SynOptics LattisCell ATM switches, which ensured reliable connectivity in support of bandwidth-intensive medical applications.
  • The Multimedia Telemedicine system showed how geographically dispersed physicians could communicate in real time, exchanging and viewing a range of multimedia applications on a Sun Sparcstation-based Medical Doctor's Workstation (MDWS).
  • The MDWS, created by the Washington University School of Medicine, integrated a wide range of medical information, including text, audio, graphic, and video, at the physician's desktop.
  • The system enabled interactive communication and viewing of radiological images, including MRIs, projective radiographs, and heart scans, as well as textual applications, such as radiology reports.
  • The demonstration showcased real-time video connection, allowing physicians to transmit stored medical video clips and recorded physician reports via the ATM enterprise network.
  • Medical professionals could utilize video connectivity to collaborate in real time, accessing patient information and participating in live video conference consultations on their MDWS desktop.
  • This initiative achieved the goal of using information availability and high-speed technology to improve the quality of service for healthcare providers by leveraging ATM communications technology.
  • Bay Networks' SynOptics LattisCell ATM switches were deployed throughout the demonstration to ensure reliable connectivity.
  • Southwestern Bell Telephone, as a reseller of Bay Networks' products, integrated high-performance networks to meet the demanding needs of healthcare providers.
  • The 1995 HIMSS Conference and Exhibition featured the most advanced technologies and services available to the healthcare field, providing leadership in healthcare for the management of systems, information, and change.

Statistics:

  • Bay Networks' combined revenues exceeded $1 billion for its most recent year.
  • The company had over 1,000 resellers and 700 direct sales and service personnel worldwide.
  • Bay Networks markets and supports its comprehensive product suite through 110 offices around the world.
  • The company provided 7x24 global support coverage.

Sources:

  • Bay Networks (Nasdaq: BNET)
  • Washington University's Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology
  • Southwestern Bell Telephone
  • National Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Conference and Exhibition
  • Bay Networks' press release dated February 13, 1995