Development of a Wireless Monitoring System for Microwave-Based Comprehensive Vital Sign Measurement

A wireless microwave-based antenna monitoring system has been developed for measurement of comprehensive vital signs. The system employs a unique electromagnetic energy coupling sensor/antenna and is also equipped with a mobile app to display the processed values in real time, which facilitates use by mobile users. New RF components have been used, which has eliminated the need for a costly and bulky network analyzer. The developed system is more suitable for clinical use and monitoring of remote patients. Accuracy of the developed wireless system has been validated by comparing results to traditional network analyzer measurements as well as an FDA approved vital sign monitoring device where excellent agreement was observed. Specifically, an average difference of 0.7% in the measured phase and 1.4% in the magnitude of the reflection/transmission coefficients, 4.8% in measured heart rates, and 8.1% in measured respiration rates were observed.