An ambulatory monitoring architecture for the remote healthcare service system

The design of a smart sensor to monitor physical and physiological activity is discussed in terms of its integration within an intelligent telecare system. The proposed device measures posture, gait, and movement transition by three accelerometers. A physiological vibration sensor is used to monitor blood pressure and pulse rate, which is also clinically important parameters. The device detects a fall and monitors the status of the faller to identify whether assistance is required. The device also provides a measure of mobility which may be utilized in the automatic calculation of the activities of daily living, for use by some patients, social workers and occupational therapists as well for continuously determining a person's ability to live independently in the community. A data processing schema in which these parameters are extracted is described. It is hoped that such a device promotes an integrated approach to the management of patients with chronic diseases including CHF (congestive heart failure), brain blood vessel and et al, and the management of falls by the elderly in the community.