IoT-Based Coma Patient Monitoring System

TL;DR

This paper presents a low-cost loT-based system that uses affordable hardware and robust software to monitor patients without constant internet access or extensive medical personnel, bridging the gap until more advanced healthcare infrastructure is available.

Abstract

Continuous monitoring of coma patients is essential but challenging, especially in developing countries with limited resources, staff, and infrastructure. This paper presents a low-cost IoT-based system designed for such environments. It uses affordable hardware and robust software to monitor patients without constant internet access or extensive medical personnel. The system employs cost-effective sensors to track vital signs, including heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, eye movement, and body position. An energy-efficient microcontroller processes data locally, synchronizing with a central server when network access is available. A locally hosted app provides on-site access to patient data, while a GSM module sends immediate alerts for critical events, even in areas with limited cellular coverage. This solution emphasizes ease of deployment, minimal maintenance, and resilience to power and network disruptions. Using open-source software and widely available hardware, it offers a scalable, adaptable system for resource-limited settings. At under $30, the system is a sustainable, cost-effective solution for continuous patient monitoring, bridging the gap until more advanced healthcare infrastructure is available.

Figures (4)

• Figure 1: The schema shows our proposed IoT coma patient monitoring: using several sensors, such as heartrate pulse, blood pressure, eye blinking, room temperature, etc., a patient's health state can be monitored automatically with minimum effort and without having specialized medical staff. When critical conditions arise, alerts are communicated through internet (if available) or GSM cellular networking system.
• Figure 2: Hardware architecture block diagram.
• Figure 3: The figure shows the hardware prototype, in which the components are connected together according to Figure \ref{['fig:hardware']}.
• Figure 4: The figure showcases the system architecture and the components. The different sensors are connected to the MCU (an Arduino Uno), which collects the sensors' data. The MCU has a Wi-Fi module that will transmit data to the local database and, if the network is available, to the cloud. If no connection is available and an alert is required, the GSM module sends the alert.