TELEMETRY

Typical Number in Hospital:

Cost Bands:

References: 6,9

This literally means the measurement or recording of signals at a distance. In medical work the best known use of telemetry is in the radio transmission of ECG signals to remove the need for connecting wires to the patient. The principle has been applied experimentally to almost every other physiological variable which can be measured. Of particular interest at present is the use of radio-telemetry for monitoring the foetus during labour, allowing the mother to be freed from the constraints of a wired system. Less used techniques include implanted radio transmitters, and radio pills which are swallowed.

Strictly, telemetry refers to other forms of remote recording and examples which exist are ECG, or pacemaker performance monitoring over the telephone.

For radio telemetry each country has regulations relating to the allowable frequency, power, and modulations systems permissible for medical work.