A wireless monitoring system for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) could allow health care workers to assess a patient’s health and the development of their disease without hindering patient movement, according to a report in the International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology.

The assessment of a patient’s disease state under the normal conditions of their everyday lives is becoming increasingly important in improving treatment. In addition, ambulatory investigations allow health care professionals to follow the progression of a patient’s condition, which can keep costs down by avoiding unnecessary medical call outs and hospital visits.

The real-time monitoring system for patients consists of vital signs sensors, a sensor network, electronic patient records, and web portable technology that calls on medical personnel when life-threatening events occur. The movement, temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate sensors are miniature and lightweight. These devices can monitor various signals, process the data for them, and integrate the wireless networks for health monitoring.

The researchers have demonstrated efficacy with their integrated wireless system in terms of wireless connectivity and monitoring of vital signs of patients with COPD undergoing rehabilitation. The sensors have been programmed to send out alert signals above a certain unhealthy body temperature, below a specific heart rate, or blood pressure changes of more than 10%. The system uses standard wireless networking technology with a 750-meter range.

Source: EurekAlert