Integration of micro sensors with mobile devices for monitoring vital signs of sleep apnea patients

Body Sensor Networks (BSNs) integrating micro sensor nodes with wireless communication are becoming flourishing in medical applications. This paper demonstrates a BSN-based portable monitor integrating micro sensors with mobile devices for monitoring and diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) at home. The system uses a micro hot-film flow sensor to detect respiratory flow, uses tri-axis micro accelerometer to detect body posture and motion intensity, and uses a micro photoelectric sensor to detect oxygen saturation of blood. The real-time vital signs are detected and transmitted wirelessly to a mobile device. The transmitted data are processed and analyzed in the mobile device and can be further transmitted to a remote medical center and physicians through mobile cellular networks or Internet for comprehensively analyzing, assessing, and diagnosing to the diseases.