Session PC2.3

A DVB-T Framework for the Remote Monitoring of Cardiopathic and Diabetic Patients

G Angius*, D Pani, L Raffo, P Randaccio

Università di Cagliari
Cagliari, Italy

Telemedicine systems enable patients with chronic diseases to be remotely and constantly monitored by the healthcare staff reducing the need for frequent visits to the hospital. The aim of this research work is the development of a low-cost tele-home care system based on the Digital Video Broadcasting Terrestrial (DVB-T) technology for the remote monitoring of cardiopathic and diabetic patients.
Exploiting the full potential of the DVB-T technology and of Java application (Xlet) loaded on the patient’s set-top box, the system allows the acquisition of some physiological parameters (i.e. blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, body weight and glycemia) by means a microcontroller-based unit connected through a wireless link with a radio frequency personal smart-card plugged in the set-top box. In this way, the DVB-T equipment and the acquisition unit are wireless coupled, improving patient’s safety. After the acquisition of the physiological parameters of interest, the uplink connection supported by the set-top box is used to send the exam results to a remote server for physician analysis.
Thanks to the DVB-T technology, the user interface accessible on the patient’s set-top box is uploaded by a DVB-T broadcaster without any intervention in the patient’s home. The adoption of a custom smart-card for patient identification and for data acquisition avoids the need to remember any code or password for using the system. Even untrained or elderly people, accustomed to use TV sets for personal entertainment, have easily utilized the system, breaking the typical gap that prevents elderly people from using the most advanced high-tech telemedicine systems.
The DVB-T, under experimentation in Europe, will be the only terrestrial television system after 2012. The proposed tele-home care system allows remote monitoring of the patients conditions directly from their home, without any installation procedure.

(Abstract Control Number: 333)