If Kona succeeds in doing that in various computing and telecommunications environments, Network Computers have a chance to make some headway in the market. Virtually every state has some kind of telemedicine project, according to the American Telemedicine Association in Washington. It tallies 135 active projects in 47 states. In Augusta, more than 20 people, mostly elderly with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, received a computer monitor with its own stethoscope, thermometer, pulse monitor and blood pressure cuff. That paraphernalia sits on a tray, in place of a keyboard.
Patients just touch the screen to make it work.
Cable lines connect the computerized medical bag to the hospital, where a home-health nurse has her own monitor and keyboard. Cameras and speakers on both ends enable nurse and patient to see and talk to each other during the exam. Icons on the screen tell patients what to do. If they misunderstand or the instructions are too fast, a video clip repeats them until the patients understand what's needed. It works through cable lines retooled to send messages two ways instead of one, which is how television shows are sent to sets.