Topic 5 – Sensors and Monitoring Systems1) TechMed scenario covers

• Sensors and their uses in hospitals

In the scenario:“A patient-monitoring system is installed on each hospital bed. This system has a number of sensors which can take medical readings that are updated automatically to the patient’s medical records.”

Key Terms:

Sensors Are used to detect physical quantities such as light level, pressure, temperature and movement.

Biosensors Are used to detect the presence of various chemicals in a substance

Data LoggingIs where an ICT system collects and stores data at predetermined intervals.

Pressure sensors

Used for blood pressure monitoring systems. Kidney dialysis machines and respiratory monitoring. Pressure sensors can also be used to detect that a patient is present in their hospital bed.

Biosensors

Used for testing blood sugar, cholesterol and pregnancy testing.

Temperature sensors

Used in digital thermometers, patient temperature monitoring and the control of the hospital heating system

Image Sensors

Used in radiography and for external observation

Accelerometers

Used in heart pacemakers and other integrated health monitoring equipment

Flow sensors

Used as part of anaesthesia delivery machines, gas mixing and respiration monitoring systems

Implanted Sensors

Are now used in many cases where long-term monitoring is necessary; typical uses include heart pacemaker control and measuring the growth of tumours. Wireless technology has been introduced into the design of many implanted sensors to reduce their size and increase reliability.

Data logging.

Records data from sensors at regular intervals.

Contain:• A microprocessor• Internal sensors or sensor inputs• Data Storage

Advantages:• Readings taken automatically• At correct time intervals• Human error removed• Taken quickly and accurately

Patient – Monitoring Systems

• Fitted to each hospital bed• Observes vital signs of patient – pulse rate, o2 levels in

blood• Carried out automatically on regular basis• Early warnings for emergencies linked to staff monitoring

station or Doctor