Medical WSNs

Challenges

• reliability
• privacy and security
• power management - not all devices are battery powered
• diversity - both a challenge and an opportunity

Groups

• University of Virginia: Alarm-NET
• Intel Research Seattle
• University of Washington
• University of Rochester
• Harvard University

Systems

Alarm-NET

• Domain: assisted living, circadian activity rhythms (CAR)
• Network architecture:
  • Spans body networks, sensor networks and IP networks
  • Query service to collect data
  • Emphasis on dynamic security
  • Use CAR information for security and power management
• Devices: heterogeneous - motes, PDAs and PCs
• Sensors:
  • medical: pulse, blood oxygenaton
  • non-medical: temperature, light, infrared motion

References:

1. A. Wood, G. Virone, T. Doan, Q. Cao, L. Selavo, Y. Wu, L. Fang, Z. He, S. Lin, J. Stankovic, “ALARM-NET: Wireless Sensor Networks for Assisted-Living and Residential Monitoring,” Technical Report