Astro-Med
Announces Remote Video Camera Control System for Epilepsy Monitoring
WEST WARWICK, R.I., Sep 22, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Grass Technologies
Product Group of Astro-Med, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALOT) has announced the introduction
of a networked video camera control system to be used in the monitoring
and diagnosis of epilepsy. Designed primarily for long term monitoring
(LTM), the new software-controlled camera system can also be used in
sleep monitoring (PSG) and routine EEG laboratories.
Video monitoring plays an integral role in the diagnosis of epilepsy.
Recordings from the brain along with video recordings allow physicians
to document and analyze patients' seizures. In a typical installation,
one or more video cameras are mounted in the patient rooms in the hospital's
epilepsy monitoring unit. Additionally, video cameras are frequently
installed in the hallways, patient dayrooms or playrooms, and a number
of other common areas of the unit.
In order to keep a patient under constant video surveillance, it is
necessary to have remote control for moving the camera left/right, up/down
(Pan/Tilt) and for zooming in and out. In the past, this required expensive
cabling and equipment. Because of the associated costs and limited system
capability, the cameras typically could only be controlled from one
location. This configuration made effective around-the-clock monitoring
extremely difficult.
Grass Technologies addressed this problem head-on by developing the networked
Camera Control System. Combining proprietary software and top-of-the-line
video equipment, the new system allows camera control via software using
TCP/IP communication.
The Camera Control Software can be installed on any PC that is on the
local or wide area network in the hospital.
Advantages of the new system include: 1) reduced installation expense
(both materials and labor); 2) simplified system installation because
dedicated cabling is eliminated; 3) optimized video monitoring since
any camera can be controlled from multiple locations across the network,
including locations remote to the monitoring unit; and 4) the Camera
Control Software is fully integrated into Grass Technologies's TWIN data
acquisition and review software, making the LTM system a "complete"
single-source system for purchase by hospitals.
The Grass Technologies Product Group of Astro-Med designs, manufactures,
and sells advanced systems for EEG and PSG (sleep monitoring), Long-term
Epilepsy monitoring, and OR/ICU neuromonitoring, as well as supplies,
accessories, and a broad range of products for neurophysiological research.
Grass Technologies's networked Camera Control System is now available
from stock. Visit Astro-Med, Inc. at www.grasstechnologies.com for further
information.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements, and actual results
may vary from those expressed or implied herein. Factors that could
affect these results include those mentioned in Astro-Med's FY2004 annual
report and its annual and quarterly filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Contact: Astro-Med, Inc.
Everett V. Pizzuti, 401-828-4000
SOURCE: Astro-Med,
Inc.
