The mobile health monitoring system
The Biotech Lab of the John von Neumann Faculty of Informatics created the software family called DAQit, which is the further development of their previous telemedicine projects (www.proseniis.hu). DAQit enables monitoring of a variety of different medical and environmental parameters via smartphones. It also enables the users to send alert signals in case of panic situations. Furthermore they have also created a central data storing server infrastructure, which is capable of storing the data in a secure manner and can display these information on an online web page. The products of this development are compatible with the remote monitoring system of our previous project (Proseniis). The next step would be clinical testing, which would be carried out in so called living labs.
The products of this development were designed for athletes, individuals who have heart and cardiovascular problems, diabetics, people who are severely overweight, as well as anyone who is in an emergency situation. The number of integrated sensors and number of monitored parameters are still being increased; currently blood sugar level, blood pressure, pulse, weight, tissue oxygenation, respiratory rate, position of body, movement activity and geographical location monitoring is available to the users.
DAQit - DroidHub
The user interface is provided by a touchscreen smartphone. We collect the medical data via various sensors through wireless connections. The DroidHub displays the collected data as a log, meanwhile it automatically transmits the data over an encrypted channel to the data center. The data in the data center gets archived or if desired it can be vigilantly analysed by a medical staff. For elderly users the application has a simple and easily accessible user interface. The measured values can be displayed both in the form of tables and graphs. The user also gets notified about abnormal or notably different measured values. The measured data can be recorded manually as well. In this case the application functions as a simple digital log. The DroidHub supports 11 sensors, communicates in four languages and is compatible with the four most common Android versions. It has also been successfully tested on lots of different phone brands.
DAQit - Panic Button
The Panic Button application was intended mostly for elderly, children and sick patients, but may be used by others as well. The system allows the user to send messages phones and e-mail addresses (is able to send messages to more addresses at the same time) with only a single click. After the alert the user can contact the assistance providing person without interference thanks to the automatic call receiving and loudspeaker function. The application can save lives in case of a fall or stress. In case of a panic situation GPS coordinates and GSM mobile information are forwarded. This way the users’ location can be detected even if he or she is unable to tell us his or her location verbally. With user profiles all other Apps can be disabled. Therefore turning the smartphone into just a simple panic button if desired, which still can be reached by calls. This solution makes the application usable for elderly individuals who are not used to (and are scared of) any complicated graphical systems or menus. The Panic Button App can be used in conjunction with the previously mentioned medical data storing App, the DroidHub.
Central Server Infrastructure
The data received from medical and lifestyle monitoring sensors are sent to a central server through a secure connection. In case of a panic event an automatic alarm is set off in the system. The alarm event contains information about the patient, the time and the exact coordinates of the alarm. The alarm reaches relevant entities (i.e.: dispatch center, relatives, etc.) through pre-defined communication pathways. The online user interface is safe, user-friendly and customizable.