Tele-medicine techniques for remote support of patients in dialysis and COPD

The progress of telematics (=Telecommunication + Automation + Informatics) methods promisesin tele-medicine applications increasing quality of treatment at reduced costs. At the two example cases of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and of Dialysis a related sensor equipment to characterize the health status, as well as equipment for continuous and safe data transmission are presented. Data processing at a tele-service center has to filter information,such that only the critical cases are confronted to the doctors. Challenges, system architecture and first experiences of this tele-medicine approach for remote monitoring of patients are reported.