Complete Platform for Remote Health Management

Abstract

Practical usability of the majority of the current wearable body sensor systems for multiple parameter physiological signal acquisition is limited by the multiple physical connections between the sensors and the data acquisition modules. In order to improve the user comfort and enable the use of this type of systems on active mobile subjects, we propose a wireless body sensor system that incorporates multiple sensors on a single node. This multi-sensor node includes signal acquisition, processing, and wireless data transmission fitted on multiple layers of a thin flexible substrate with very small footprint. Considerations for design include size, form factor, reliable body attachment, good signal coupling, and user convenience. The prototype device measures 55mm by 15mm and is 3mm thick. The unit is attached to the patient's chest, and is capable of performing simultaneous measurements of parameters such as body motion, activityintensity, tilt, respiration, cardiac vibration, cardiac potential (ECG), heart-rate, body surface temperature. In this paper, we discuss the architecture of this system, including the multisensor hardware, the firmware, a mobile phone receiver unit, and assembly of the first prototype.

Keywords

• Pervasive Healthcare
• Physiology Monitoring
• Sensor Platform
• Wearable Electronics
• Wireless Sensors
• Body Area Networks