Process control in intensive care-an integrated working place

The authors describe a practical approach to handling data flooding that is based on the ideas of the forthcoming IEEE standard on the medical information bus (MIB). A bedside communication controller (BCC) is used. One BCC should be able to control up to 25 devices. Each device is connected to the BCC through a DCC (device communication controller) by means of a bus system rather than point to point as the MIB standard proposes. It is planned that the bus system will allow autoidentification of the DCC (or the devices) and recognition of connect/disconnect of the individual DCC/device. The concept also allows for the integration of BCC and host functions into a bedside workstation.<>