Around the world the incidence of lower limb amputation is on the rise. These rising numbers puts a huge constraint on the health care resources, thereby making the rehabilitative process challenging for both the healthcare services as well as the amputee. People with a lower limb amputation need regular rehabilitative care as their residual limb skin is prone to infections, volume fluctuations, skin breakdown etc. e-Health wearable communication systems show promise in delivering improvements in patient care while at the same time reducing both the demand for resources and the financial burden on healthcare systems. These systems have the capability of monitoring, logging and transmitting patient data to a central health authority. This thesis investigates the design of a wearable sensor communication platform which is capable of harvesting the data from multiple sensors for in-situ monitoring of residual limb health in amputees. The monitoring of residual limb temperature and gait is done in a contactless way by utilising mathematical algorithms. The platform works with an Android mobile device, in order to allow for the capture of data from a wireless sensor unit, and to give the clinician access to results from the sensors. The results from the analysis, carried out within the secure server, are demonstrated to be of use for remote monitoring. This knowledge will be useful in establishing biomarkers related to a possible deterioration in a patient's health or for assessing the impact of clinical interventions.
Date of Award | 7 May 2017 |
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Original language | English |
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Awarding Institution | - University Of Strathclyde
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Sponsors | University of Strathclyde & EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) |
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