A WBAN System for Ambulatory Monitoring of Physical Activity and Health Status: Applications and Challenges

Abstract

Abstract-Recent technological advances in sensors, lowpower integrated circuits, and wireless communications have enabled the design of low-cost, miniature, lightweight, intelligent physiological sensor platforms that can be seamlessly integrated into a body area network for health monitoring. Wireless body area networks (WBANs) promise unobtrusive ambulatory health monitoring for extended periods of time and near real-time updates of patients' medical records through the Internet. A number of innovative systems for health monitoring have recently been proposed. However, they typically rely on custom communication protocols and hardware designs, lacking generality and flexibility. The lack of standard platforms, system software support, and standards makes these systems expensive. Bulky sensors, high price, and frequent battery changes are all likely to limit user compliance.To address some of these challenges, we prototyped a WBAN utilizing a common off-the-shelf wireless sensor platform with a ZigBee-compliant radio interface and an ultra low-power microcontroller. The standard platform interfaces to custom sensor boards that are equipped with accelerometers for motion monitoring and a bioamplifier for electrocardiogram or electromyogram monitoring. Software modules for on-board processing, communication, and network synchronization have been developed using the TinyOS operating system. Although the initial WBAN prototype targets ambulatory monitoring of user activity, the developed sensors can easily be adapted to monitor other physiological parameters. In this paper, we discuss initial results, implementation challenges, and the need for standardization in this dynamic and promising research field.

Wireless Technology and System Integration in Body Area Networks for m-Health Applications

“…motion sensors, electrocardiograms (ECGs), electromyograms (EMGs), and electro-encephalograms (EEGs). Typical example of this type of application is ambulatory monitoring of user's activity [4] [5]. The sensors could be located on the body as tiny intelligent patches, integrated into clothing, or implanted below the skin or muscles.…”

Wireless physiological monitoring system for psychiatric patients

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Data Processing in E-Health System

“…The algorithm of fuzzy c-medium proposed in the papers [5] is implemented for fuzzy decision-making process realizing into the e-Health monitoring system.…”