A portable, battery-powered wireless monitoring system with localized data analysis

We have developed a portable, low-cost, and battery-powered wireless monitoring system that is capable of measuring multiple physiological parameters simultaneously from many subjects. The wireless communication of data is based on a commercially-available mote known as Tmote Sky. The star network topology (SNT) is used to collect data from many patients via multiple motes. We developed application protocol software to facilitate communications between the monitor terminal and multiple motes. Based on the standard specifications of the mote, the SNT strategy, and the application protocol software design, a single mote can support up to 6 electrocardiogram signals with a sampling rate of 200 Hz. This capability facilitates affordable wireless monitoring of multiple physiologic signals from many subjects; its application is especially attractive for monitoring subjects in nursing homes, battlefields, and disaster scenarios.