Medical cyber-physical systems

In this chapter, we explain the background of medical cyber-physical systems (MCPSs) and discuss some recent promising directions. This is then followed by an overview of some of the issues investigated recently, and the kind of solutions and architectures that have been proposed, including related work with some technical discussions. Finally, there is a section on challenges and opportunities that describes some of the future issues that need to be addressed. Humans-in-the-loop MCPS are of particular interest: active input modes include digital pens, smartphones and automatic handwriting recognition for a direct digitisation of patient data. Passive input modes include sensors of the clinical environment and/or mobile smartphones. This combination of knowledge acquisition input sources (while using machine learning techniques) has not yet been explored in clinical environments and is of specific interest because it combines previously unconnected information sources for individualised treatments. Model-based developments and user-centred design have major roles to play in achieving this goal.