Abstract

Aim: The method of utilization of IoT and other evolving techniques in medical equipment design field is discussed in the present paper. A remotely managed interface equipped in a wheelchair cum bed is embedded for elderly or physically challenged people. With the help of a camera embedded in the proposed solution, a real-time remote monitoring of the patient is achieved using an android application on the concerned person. For achieving the above mentioned purpose, the use of linear actuators has been done. This paper further aims to explore the hidden potentials of the merger of all these fields to benefit the end users.

Objectives: Remote monitoring of health of the patient through a cloud-based android application. Automatic adjustment of the wheelchair into bed and vice-versa. Automatic stool passing chamber facility is available under the proposed model. Injuries during transportation of the patient from one chair to another (or chair to bed) have been limited in our designed model.

Methods: The basic mechanism of proposed wheelchair has been designed using the computer-aided design software. The basic methodology adopted for development of prototype & subsequent “user review analysis” is displayed. The CAD Model of the wheelchair cum stretcher was designed using the “Solid works solid modelling techniques”. The basic structure has been designed with several modifications when compared to the conventional wheelchair design. The computer made design was then utilized for final fabrication of the prototype. The prototype was tested for endurance, load bearing capacity and customer comfort during various phases of development. The feedbacks of several subjects were recorded for future utilization in improved design & fabrication.

Results: The proposed model is of utmost importance as the number of critical patients like accident cases, critical pre and post-surgery cases is increasing day by day. Sometimes these patients need intime medication during transition in ambulance while they are picked up from houses and referred to nearby big hospitals. During transition or in hospital, critical patients can be handled efficiently by a specialist doctor through his/her smart phone applications. It also optimizes the services of specialist doctors as we can find the shortage of specialists in Indian hospitals. In a nutshell, this WheelChair system can be moved anywhere due to its portability. Following are the most highlighted features: 1. Authorized relatives and Doctors can see and interact with the patient remotely at any time on his/her smart phone. 2. Authorized relatives and Doctors can see the Vital Sign of patient like BP, ECG, and Pulse etc. at any time through Smart Phone. 3. Doctor can instruct the caretaker to release the emergency drugs through Infusion Pump. 4. Doctor can plan the exceptions, drug infusion, alarm, etc. 5. System is portable and can easily be shifted to ambulance. All transmissions are wireless, so there is no hassle of wires and connectivity.

Conclusion: The presented work is limited to the design and fabrication of a new model of wheelchair, which works as a stretcher and has locomotive capabilities. The key feature of the design is its versatility and adaptability to various working conditions. The feedback obtained from various subjects during the testing of wheelchair shows their confidence and a fair degree of comfort which they felt while using the wheelchair. The easy and user-friendly use of the android application helps to monitor the health of the patient. The smartphone camera helped to achieve this data. The analysis of the data can be done in the cloud-based station. The linear actuator has proved to be the low cost and highly reliable equipment to propel the wheelchair.

Keywords: IoT, healthcare, collapsible wheelchair, self-propelled wheelchair, linear actuator, remote monitoring.

Graphical Abstract