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Secure Interactive Telemedicine Via State-wide Internet

Award Information
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Branch: National Institutes of Health
Contract: 1R43RR018007-01
Agency Tracking Number: RR018007
Amount: $99,989.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 2003
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
AZ TECHNOLOGY, INC. 7047 OLD MADISON PIKE, STE 300
HUNTSVILLE, AL 35806
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 JAMES CHAMBERLAIN
 (256) 837-9877
 CHAMBERLAIN@AZTECHNOLOGY.COM
Business Contact
 DAVID O'NEIL
Phone: (256) 837-9877
Email: DAVEO@AZTECHNOLOGY.COM
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant):
The competitiveness of interactive telemedicine with alternatives is directly related to the cost of telecommunications services and equipment. The Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) used in the majority of interactive telemedicine systems has proven expensive and inflexible, resulting in limited deployment. Rapidly expanding Internet Protocol (IP) networks and mass-produced videoconferencing appliances reduce telemedicine costs, but introduce problems with security and quality of service (QoS). IP networks and security devices have been designed for data transmission (e.g., e-mail), rather than for time-sensitive interactive audio-video.

AZ Technology, Inc. has expertise in IP-based telescience, which is directly applicable to telemedicine. Internet 2 provides high bandwidth, reliability, and access to University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) medical facilities around the state to support a cost-effective telemedicine core network. Phase 1 will establish a testbed between a UAB-School of Medicine hub site and remote teleclinics for use in resolving security and QoS issues. Phase 2 will utilize Internet 2 and public Internet to perform teledermatology physician training and patient examinations. The long-term goal is to reach even the most rural areas of the state with the least access to medical care via the public Internet. Project success will accelerate deployment of telemedicine via broadband Internet.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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