Monitoring technology for wheelchair users with advanced multiple sclerosis.

This paper presents a non-invasive assistive device for people with advanced Multiple Sclerosis (MS) who use electric power wheelchairs (EPW). The proposed system can acquire respiration and heart activity from ballistocardiogram (BCG), seat and back pressure distribution, wheelchair tilt angle and ambient temperature and relative humidity. The sensors collect information related to the main issues of MS patients: fatigue, heat sensitivity and low mobility. Preliminary results show the signals as the wheelchair is moving, stopped and tilting. The system is able to capture sufficient relevant information to provide suggestions and alarms in a future stage. The system will be tested at The Boston Home, a specialized residence for adults with advanced MS.

Data collection capabilities of a new non-invasive monitoring system for patients with advanced multiple sclerosis.

This paper reports on a data collection study in a clinical environment to evaluate a new non-invasive monitoring system for people with advanced Multiple Sclerosis (MS) who use powered wheelchairs. The proposed system can acquire respiration and heart activity from ballistocardiogram (BCG) signals, seat and back pressure changes, wheelchair tilt angle, ambient temperature and relative humidity. The data was collected at The Boston Home (TBH), a specialized care residence for adults with advanced MS. The collected data will be used to design algorithms to generate alarms and recommendations for residents and caregivers. These alarms and recommendations will be related to vital signs, low mobility problems and heat exposure. We present different cases where it is possible to illustrate the type of information acquired by our system and the possible alarms we will generate.

Wireless pilot monitoring system for extreme race conditions.

This paper presents the design and implementation of an assistive device to monitor car drivers under extreme conditions. In particular, this system is designed in preparation for the 2012 Atacama Solar Challenge to be held in the Chilean desert. Actual preliminary results show the feasibility of such a project including physiological and ambient sensors, real-time processing algorithms, wireless data transmission and a remote monitoring station. Implementation details and field results are shown along with a discussion of the main problems found in real-life telemetry monitoring.

SMART--an integrated wireless system for monitoring unattended patients.

Monitoring vital signs and locations of certain classes of ambulatory patients can be useful in overcrowded emergency departments and at disaster scenes, both on-site and during transportation. To be useful, such monitoring needs to be portable and low cost, and have minimal adverse impact on emergency personnel, e.g., by not raising an excessive number of alarms. The SMART (Scalable Medical Alert Response Technology) system integrates wireless patient monitoring (ECG, SpO(2)), geo-positioning, signal processing, targeted alerting, and a wireless interface for caregivers. A prototype implementation of SMART was piloted in the waiting area of an emergency department and evaluated with 145 post-triage patients. System deployment aspects were also evaluated during a small-scale disaster-drill exercise.