A wearable e-health system with multi-functional physiological measurement

Abstract

We have developed a wearable and multifunctional physiological measurement system, which integrated the technologies of many disciplines including information technology, electrical engineering, communications, biomedical engineering, textiles, material science, and aesthetics. The wearable monitoring device had shown its great potential for the advancement of both the diagnosis as well as treatment of cardiovascular diseases in many investigations. We have realized the system from many perspectives, such as functionality, mobility, capabilities, comfort, no invasion, and ease of use. Applications of our wearable system are diverse. Niche applications like home healthcare for aging, infant monitoring, military uses, athletic indicators, and etc. Three major components are developed: 1. Physiological measurement components: contain electrocardiogram, body temperature, and falling detection, which provide the lethal arrhythmias and/or acute myocardial infarction monitoring, examination of cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary functions; 2. Wireless communication: mobile e-medicine data processing module within short distance is applied. The major approach adopted to transmit the human vital bio-signals to healthcare center for management and analysis is through Bluetooth module; 3. Wearable technology: some efforts are made in using the technology for improving quality of life such as (a) application of the conductive fibers for electrodes, (b) e-textiles for the physiological measurement, and (c) the development of wearable platform for multi-functional physiological measurement. Therefore, a wearable body signal measuring system is presented through biomedical signal measurement and textile technology. The users can be measured their physiological conditions under a convenient and comfortable circumstance. A full integrated medical service from persons, family, doctors, to hospitals by above technology can be expected. It can not only take care of the elderly, handicapped persons or anyone who need long-term medical care but also decrease the opportunity of accidents and prevent from cardiovascular diseases taking place. Moreover, it would reduce the expense of medical insurance system and create a better life for all human beings.