Abstracts

RATIONALE: At home video/EEG monitoring has been a barrier to out-patient LTM. This capability has only recently been possible using integrated analog time-lapse VCR technology. Although successful, the unit is still too large, too heavy and subject to mechanical failures. Further miniaturation and the incorporation of digital video techniques permits a more efficient and reliable system to be developed. METHODS: By incorporating synchronized digital video (MPEG I) and digital EEG into a small (28x17x14cm) and light (4.4kgms) box, home monitoring now becomes efficient and reliable. Using event (push button and automatic seizure detection) based techniques for both the EEG and the digital video, only the significant diagnostic events are permanently captured for review at 30 frames per second. Full audio sensitivity, synchronized with 18 or 27 channels of EEG now exists. A small camera with integrated IR illumination and microphone on a self-aiming "goose-neck" permits the patient or his family to easily set up the system. The self-starting software, based on Windows 98 running on an imbedded Pentium computer, ensures that the unit restarts itself whenever it is plugged in. RESULTS: The small size and solid-state design have contributed to it's reliability and acceptance by patients. Within the hospital environment, because of the self-contained design of the unit, any area equipped with an AC plug and a LAN connection instantly becomes a digital video/EEG LTM room. This portability allows the at-home patient to easily and reliably set up the system in his home environment and acquire both digital video and EEG information that usually could only be obtained in a fixed-bed, hospital location. The Ethernet 100T integrated connection make set-up and data retrival very easy as well as remote monitoring of the system and acquired data. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of an integrated, self-contained, digital video/EEG data acquisition system has made home digital video/EEG monitoring a reliable routine procedure. A significant objection to home EEG monitoring has been efficiently addressed by integrating digital video and event based recording into the home environment.