Toward wireless intensive care

Purpose and goal

The purpose of the project is to investigate the possibility to introduce wireless links for sensor data in an intensive care setting. This would primarily result in an increased mobility of the health care personnel, and facilitate moving of the patient. The concept has been successfully demonstrated within the conducted concept study, through the implementation of a wireless platform for urination rate measurement, intended for preclinical use within ongoing research pursued by the project actors.

Expected results and effects

The concept study has resulted in a prototype platform for wireless transmission of signals from medical sensors. The platform has attained a maturity, making it suitable for use in ongoing pre-clinical research projects, coordinated by the project partners. Furthermore, the project has contributed to a knowledge and idea formation, which has resulted in the initiation of a new platform being developed, with the goal to meet the rigorous clinical certification standards, required for this type of medical equipment.

Planned approach and implementation

The concept study has been conducted in close collaboration between the project partners. Practical implementation work has been partially conducted by a group of five last-year students within a biotech engineering degree program at the University of British Columbia. Involving the students have enabled the project to reach further, than would have been possible otherwise within the given time and budget. It has also presented the students with an opportunity to work within an inter-disciplinary research environment.