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System (CREHS) for detecting and predicting
seizures on Epilepsy patients in Australia. The
system utilizes wearable wireless sensors to detect
and transmit real time EEG signal through the
broadband communication network to a central
signal monitoring and processing system. We also
propose, optimize and validate biosensor devices
to detect epileptic seizures. This will require the
patient to wear a body sensor system consisting
of an accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer
which are collectively used to measure body, and
specifically hand, movements. In addition, the
facial expressions, words and movements of the
patient are monitored by video cameras incorporat-
ing microphones. Multiple, high quality, real-time
video and audio stream from multiple patients
are sent by sharing same broadband link. Finally,
compressed data is sent to the neurologist or health
care centre. Currently, some applications, such as
Sightspeed, do not support high-resolution video
transmission. Emergency alert to healthcare centre
or “000” can be sent through broadband network,
for example, a particular body wearable sensor
reads below a threshold level set by a Medicare
professional. Reliability and the speed of broad-
band will remain a problem for video compression
and real time processing.
ized seizure is called tonic-clonic which happen
throughout the whole body and normally involves
“muscles rigidity, violent muscle contractions,
and loss of consciousness” (Vorvick, 2010a). This
type of seizures also known as seizure grand mal,
grand mal seizure (Vorvick, 2010; Beter Health
Channel, 2010), seizure - generalized, convul-
sion seizure (Vorvick, 2010a). Partial seizures
(also called localized seizures or focal seizures)
can be simple or complex and only affect only a
part of the patient's brain. This type of seizure
can be simple where the patients do not lose their
consciousness and can remember what happens
during the course of seizure, or complex when
the patients absolutely lose their awareness and
have unusual behaviors (Vorvick, 2010b; Better
Health Channel, 2010).
Epilepsy Incident
Epilepsy incidence excluding febrile convulsions
and isolated seizures is about 0.05% annually in
developed countries and approximately 0.1% in
developing countries due to infections, social
problems and economic condition (Angus-Lep-
pan, & Parsons, 2008). About 10-12% of people
experience a seizure in their lives and 3-4% of
people are diagnosed with Epilepsy at some times.
Epilepsy happens most commonly to people over
60 years of age, and also common in childhood
period (Better Health Channel, 2010).
EPILEPSY IN AUSTRALIA AND THE
CHALLENGES FOR AUSTRALIAN
HEALTHCARE SERVICES
Classifications of Epilepsy
A Definition of Epilepsy
The classification of Epilepsies by The Interna-
tional League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) since 1989
is the most widely recognized and used standard
for both diagnostic definitions and clinical prac-
tice. Epilepsies were categorized based on the
presumed site of the origin of the seizures which
is either focal or generalized and the etiology of
the seizures. This classification divides Epilepsies
in four major classes on the basis of the presumed
site of origin of the seizures (localization-related or
Epilepsy is a sudden and uncontrollable disorder in
which Epilepsy patients have two or more seizures.
The manifestations of Epilepsy seizures come from
on an “occasional, sudden, excessive, rapid and
disorderly discharge in part of the cerebral cortex”
(Angus-Leppan, & Parsons, 2008). In other words,
Epilepsy is a common neurological condition in
which the recurring seizures can be partial or
generalized. The most common form of general-
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