Designing a Transformable Patient Monitoring Platform for Healthcare
Healthcare facilities in developing countries often face significant challenges in patient care, including limited resources, staff shortages, and outdated equipment. Our project aimed to address these challenges by creating an innovative, multifunctional platform that combines mechanical engineering with IoT technology to improve patient care in Sri Lankan hospitals.
Understanding the Problem
Through extensive discussions with medical staff at Kalubowila Hospital and the National Institute of Nephrology in Borella, we identified several critical issues:
- Shortage of doctors in wards, making real-time monitoring of critical patients difficult
- Outdated data recording and monitoring systems
- Inadequate patient transfer equipment, requiring multiple transfers between different platforms
- Limited resources for purchasing specialized equipment
Design Requirements
Based on these insights, we established the following key requirements:
- A single platform that could transform between trolley, bed, and wheelchair configurations
- Real-time patient monitoring system accessible to medical staff remotely
- Active suspension system to improve patient comfort during transport
- Durable, cost-effective design suitable for resource-constrained settings
- User-friendly interface for both medical staff and patients
Mechanical Design Process
The mechanical design phase involved several iterative steps:
1. Conceptual Design
We began with a design tree approach to translate clinical requirements into technical specifications:
- Anthropometric analysis to determine optimal dimensions
- Kinematic studies to design the transformation mechanisms
- Load analysis to ensure structural integrity
- Material selection based on durability, weight, and cost considerations
2. Detailed Design
The detailed design phase utilized advanced CAD and simulation tools:
- 3D modeling in SolidWorks to create detailed component designs
- Multi-body dynamic simulations in MSC ADAMS to validate transformation mechanisms
- Structural analysis in ANSYS and COMSOL to verify load-bearing capacity
- Hydraulic system design using FluidSIM for posture adjustment mechanisms
3. Clinical Posture Design
We designed the platform to support five key clinical postures:
- Flat trolley/bed position for transport and rest
- Sitting position for patient comfort and activities
- 30-degree angle position for respiratory support
- Trendelenburg position for shock management
- Reverse Trendelenburg position for certain medical procedures
Control System Development
The mechatronic control system integrated several components:
- Hydraulic actuators for posture adjustment and mode transformation
- Position and limit sensors to ensure safe operation
- Microcontroller-based central control unit
- User interface for both patient and medical staff control
- Safety mechanisms to prevent unintended movements
IoT Monitoring System
The IoT-based monitoring system included:
- Vital sign sensors (heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, etc.)
- Raspberry Pi hub for data collection and processing
- Firebase cloud database for secure data storage
- Android application for real-time monitoring by medical staff
- Basic fuzzy-based patient disease prediction system
Prototype Fabrication
The manufacturing process was carried out primarily at the University of Moratuwa:
- Custom fabrication of structural components
- Integration of hydraulic system components
- Assembly of electronic control systems
- Installation of monitoring sensors and communication hardware
- Surface finishing through sandblasting and powder coating
Testing and Validation
The prototype underwent rigorous testing:
- Structural load testing to verify safety factors
- Transformation cycle testing to ensure reliability
- Control system validation for accurate posture control
- Monitoring system accuracy verification
- User experience testing with medical staff feedback
Results and Impact
The completed platform demonstrated several advantages:
- Successful transformation between all three modes (trolley, bed, wheelchair)
- Accurate positioning for all five clinical postures
- Reliable real-time monitoring with remote access capabilities
- Positive feedback from medical professionals during evaluation
- Recognition through multiple awards and publications
Future Developments
Based on feedback and further research, several enhancements are planned:
- Integration of more advanced predictive algorithms for patient monitoring
- Lightweight materials to improve maneuverability
- Enhanced battery system for longer operation between charges
- Integration with hospital information systems
- Expanded sensor suite for more comprehensive monitoring
This project demonstrates how interdisciplinary engineering combining mechanical design, electronics, and software development can address critical healthcare challenges in resource-constrained environments. The transformable platform concept has potential applications beyond its current implementation, potentially serving as a template for affordable, multifunctional medical equipment in various healthcare settings.