Sensor Networking and Data Management for Pervasive Healthcare

Sensor Networking and Data Management for Pervasive Healthcare

Abstract:

Wearable (in-vitro) as well as in-vivo wireless smart BioMEMS Sensors (Biosensors) are expected to revolutionize healthcare by enabling pervasive and real-time monitoring of physiological quantities (e.g. blood glucose level) , automated drug delivery (e.g. of insulin) and novel prosthetics (e.g. artificial retina). Products such as SmartPill and Wireless EKG monitors are first steps in this direction. However, the use of networked biosensors for pervasive healthcare presents numerous challenges for networking and data management since such techniques should be safe and dependable. To assist in the development and experimentation of networking and data management techniques that are suitable for healthcare we are developing Ayushman-a testbed for sensor network based health monitoring infrastructure that can be deployed in scenarios ranging from home-based care to disaster relief. Some of the essential services provided by Ayushman include: 1) Real-time and long-term gathering, aggregation and querying of diverse patient data such as EKG and blood-pressure; 2) Localization of patients, doctors, and equipment; and 3) Context-based medical services and access control. This talk describes the requirements and challenges for sensor networking and data management for health care applications, the design and our current prototype of Ayushman, and some of the novel solutions we have developed towards meeting the goal of pervasive healthcare using biosensors.