Wearable sensors and sensor networks for managing human health

Wearable sensors and sensor networks for managing human health

　A service that uses sensor networks to provide information needed for human health management has been launched. This service collects and analyzes health-related data using small sensors worn on the human body, and allows users to browse and manage health information using a mobile phone or personal computer. This service is based on the research results of the Wearable Environment Information Network Promotion Organization (WIN), an NPO corporation initiated by the University of Tokyo. WIN Human Recorder, a venture company related to WIN, has formed a health management system called the "Human Black Box System" into a business. WIN is a group led by Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo, Kiyoshi Itao.

　　The information measured by the sensor includes various items such as electrocardiogram, heart rate, brain waves, acceleration, body temperature, breathing, and pulse. By comprehensively applying WIN's technological achievements, a program was developed to analyze the measurement data of each item in order to understand the health status.

Figure 1: Scenario of attaching the device to a person’s chest

　　The first product of the human black box system, "HRS-I", will be launched this time. HRS-I is a system that attaches a sensor module with wireless communication function to the chest (Figure 1), detects electrocardiogram, body surface temperature and human movement at the same time, and analyzes health status by software. The sensor module has a case size of 30mm square, is about 5mm thick, and weighs about 7g. It is small and light, easy to wear, and there is almost no discomfort when wearing it (Figure 2, Figure 3). Human movement is detected by a 3-axis acceleration sensor.

Figure 2: The sensor module housing is 30 mm square and about 5 mm thick.

Figure 3: Sensor module housing

　　The sensor module is equipped with a 2.4GHz wireless communication function and can work continuously for 3 to 4 days using a CR2032 button battery. The measured data can be wirelessly sent to a personal computer or mobile phone, and the status of elderly people living alone in remote areas can be managed and monitored via the Internet (Figure 4). For example, the autonomic nerves can be monitored based on the measured electrocardiogram, the mental stress status and tendency can be extracted, or the fluctuations of the heart rate cycle can be analyzed for health management.

Figure 4: Example of health management information display

　　HRS-I is intended for health management service providers and corporations. The price is more than 10,000 yen per month for a limited-time rental of the software, and more than 30,000 yen per sensor. Marubeni Information Systems' sales target is to achieve approximately 1 billion yen within one year after launch, and to expand to 5 billion yen after three years.

　　Marubeni Information Systems has businesses related to system and network construction, MEMS sensor development and manufacturing. In the future, products linked to these businesses of Marubeni Information Systems will be launched in the second and subsequent human black box systems. Marubeni Information Systems said, "We will enter the field of 'mobile health care', which sends health information via mobile communication networks, to promote the application of human black box systems."