ABSTRACT
We propose a general purpose home area sensor network and monitoring platform that is intended for e-Health applications, ranging from elderly monitoring to early homecoming after a hospitalization period. Our monitoring platform is multipurpose, meaning that the system is easily configurable for various user needs and is easy to set up. The system could be temporarily rented from a service company by, for example, hospitals, elderly service providers, specialized physiological rehabilitation centers, or individuals. Our system consists of a chosen set of sensors, a wireless sensor network, a home client, and a distant server. We evaluated our concept in two initial trials: one with an elderly woman living in sheltered housing, and the other with a hip surgery patient during his rehabilitation phase. The results prove the functionality of the platform. However, efficient utilization of such platforms requires further work on the actual e-Health service concepts.
Subject(s)
Computer Communication Networks , Home Care Services , Monitoring, Ambulatory , Telemedicine , Telemetry , Aged , Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip , Female , Humans , Internet , Male , Monitoring, Ambulatory/instrumentation , Monitoring, Ambulatory/methods , Rehabilitation/methods , Telemedicine/instrumentation , Telemedicine/methods , Telemetry/instrumentation , Telemetry/methods , User-Computer InterfaceABSTRACT
Current technology trends, such as ubiquitous computing and calm technology, call for novel unobtrusive sensors. The commonly used heart rate monitoring techniques require direct contact to the patient which makes the patient well aware of the sensors. In this paper, a novel method for detecting the distance of an approaching patient and for measuring his or her heart rate with a microwave Doppler radar is presented. This enables a truly non-contact and unobtrusive measurement. In addition, the measurement can be performed even through thick clothing. Furthermore, the patient does not need to be aware of being monitored since the method enables measurement to be started automatically as the patient approaches the sensor.