GPRS-based telemedicine system for elderly people homes

The development of multi-media, information and communication technology promotes the research and application of telemedicine systems. With multiple medical monitors, the physiological data, such as temperature, ECG, blood pressure are collected and then transmitted via networks. In the telematic center, the data are received and saved in the database as electrical medical records. The data are queried and evaluated by physicians. The system also provides alarm function in case of abnormality and urgency. Despite of the remote distance between patients and physicians, the patients can be diagnosed in time. In most of telemedicine systems, data are transferred via wired networks, such as PSTN (public switched telephone network) or the Internet. In order to enhance the flexibility of the telemedicine system, GPRS wireless transmission is adopted in this system. Not constrained to conventional network connections, this wireless telemedicine system works without limitation of network interface. It is applied in elderly people dwellings, ensuring healthcare service for the aged.