Application of Wireless Medical Sensor Networks in Individuals Health Status Monitoring: Review of Common Systems and Projects

Background: Wireless Medical Sensor Networks (WMSNs) are a rising technology attracted much interest in health care industry recently. These technologies have the potential to enhance the quality of care and transform the manner of life, especially in an old age and disable persons through remote monitoring provision and services measurements. Objectives: The aim of this review was the common systems and projects introduction which used the wireless sensor networks technologies for distance monitoring, disease diagnosis and health management purposes. Materials and Methods: The major databases including PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus were searched for the investigations conducted between years 2000 and 2016. The most common and recent systems and projects were studied according to their technical architecture and health care functions. Results: The most common wireless medical systems introduced in two main categories. The first category developed for distance monitoring of physiologic parameters like heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, body temperature and blood oxygen saturation. The second group which either monitor or measure the movements and activities of individuals, developed for monitoring the athletes and elders as well as rehabilitations of patients with sensory and motor disabilities. Conclusion: The number of health systems and projects which use the wireless sensors networks technologies are rapidly increasing. These systems enable physicians and nurses to monitor several persons simultaneously in both their inner environments and away from health systems. These quick wireless monitoring systems improvement require serious attention to the challenges and obstacles related to these systems essentially.