Wearable health care system for vital signs monitoring

Abstract

A new concept in healthcare, aimed to providing continuous remote monitoring of user vital signs, is emerging. An innovative system named WEALTHY is presented, were smart material in fiber and yarn form endowed with a wide range of electrophysical properties (conducting, piezoresistive, etc) are integrated and used as basic elements to be woven or knitted in fabric form. The simultaneous recording of vital signs allows parameters' extrapolation and inter-signal elaboration that contribute to make alert messages and synoptic patient table. WEALTHY system is implemented by integrating computing techniques, smart sensors, portable devices and telecommunications, together with local intelligence and decision support system. The system will assist cardiopathic patients during rehabilitation or subjects working in extreme stressful environment conditions.