Health Monitoring based on Wireless Sensor Networks: A Comprehensive Framework

Abstract

Sensor-based wireless technology is today often used as a relatively non-invasive method for the early diagnosis of diseases. Monitoring systems differ greatly and not all meet high standards in terms of efficiency, accuracy, reliability and longterm usefulness. This is often caused by sensor quality, issues concerning power consumption and connectivity. This research aims to establish a framework for sensor-based health monitoring systems as a basis for a dialogue on systems usefulness. We introduce ‘Data, Wireless communication allocator and Monitoring techniques’ (DWM) as vital elements of such framework. We further identify sub-components of each of the elements and justify their inclusion. Evaluation and validation confirm the value of the framework. This paper further provides a detailed analysis of sensors for gathering vital health data such as heart beat rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), body temperature and others. The resulting data are transmitted via Bluetooth, ZigBee, WIFI and other wireless technologies. Access to this information is through displays in remote healthcare facilities by authorized medical personnel, to be used to design treatment. We evaluate the DWM framework based on reliability, and ease of use and make comparisons with current state of the start systems. This research makes a major contribution towards standardization of sensor-based monitoring systems.