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Mortara Instrument Announces Release of New Multi-Band Medical Telemetry Architecture for Maximum Flexibility and Capacity

MILWAUKEE, Wis. USA,

08 October 2001

Today Mortara Instrument announced the release of its new multi-band medical telemetry architecture. The multi-band technology is uniquely capable of supporting three independent medical telemetry bands to maximize both flexibility and capacity as hospitals manage their wireless futures.

Mortara's medical telemetry solution is the only such architecture able to support multiple telemetry bands outside of emerging digital television (DTV) broadcast channels. The new multi-band architecture is capable of supporting the Wireless Medical Telemetry Service (WMTS) at 608-614 MHz, as well as the Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) bands at 902-928 MHz and 2400-2500 MHz. All of these bands are located outside of emerging digital television broadcast (DTV) channels and provide solutions for hospitals seeking to avoid potential DTV interference. Combined, the total available bandwidth supported by Mortara's telemetry technology is over 120 MHz. This total bandwidth, greater than that provided by any other medical telemetry technology, provides the necessary capacity for continued growth and parameter expansion in telemetry monitoring.

Today Mortara's telemetry architecture supports ECG telemetry monitoring with multiple lead configurations, including true 12-lead diagnostic ECG transmission. Commenting on the future of telemetry technology and the evolution of Mortara's capability, David Mortara, Founder and President stated, "Today we are seeing that patients are being moved more aggressively from high acuity, heavily instrumented beds, to lower acuity beds, some of which use telemetry instrumentation. The result of this trend is twofold: (1) an increasing number of lower acuity beds are created requiring an increasing number of channels of telemetry and (2) the patient population moved into the lower acuity areas is potentially less stable and will benefit from more sophisticated telemetry monitoring including diagnostic 12-lead ECG and the addition of other vital signs." Mortara further noted, "Our new multi-band architecture addresses both of these consequences since it provides both the capacity for additional channels as well as the bandwidth to support the increasing parameter set. Working with our partner companies, we look forward to expanding the frontier of telemetry monitoring and delivering real benefits to patients and their caregivers."

Regarding the recent FCC frequency allocation through WMTS, Mortara noted, "The additional bandwidth at 608-614 MHz is a logical band for our architecture to support and we are pleased to provide this option to our customers. However, we remain concerned that different companies will not be able to transparently coexist in this small band within a single facility [see Viewpoint: FCC Order on Wireless Medical Telemetry]. In time we expect to learn of conflicts between different WMTS systems within hospitals or between neighboring institutions. Our architecture is well-positioned for this eventuality by providing a sufficient choice of additional bands to avoid any such potential conflict."

Mortara Instrument offers both components and complete systems for telemetry monitoring on an OEM basis to the medical device industry. For additional information on Mortara technology, please contact solutions@mortara.com or visit www.mortara.com.

About Mortara

Mortara Instrument's headquarters are located in Milwaukee, Wis., with European operations based in Bologna, Italy. Mortara Instrument is distinguished in the field of non-invasive cardiology for the innovations that are the core of the company's complete line of ECG products. These product innovations include the integration of 12-lead ECG technology in bedside monitoring, wireless stress testing, Holter and telemetry monitoring systems. The company's web site is www.mortara.com.