Implementation of an Intelligent Neonatal Monitoring System Using Raspberry Pi

Abstract

An incubator is a biomedical apparatus used to keep neonates if they are ill and in need of further investigations. This is also useful for observation and care of newborn babies who were premature or of low birth weight. There will be loss of lives of neonates if the incubator is not appropriately monitored and this may even lead to accidents. In view of these, it has been proposed to implement an Intelligent Monitoring System for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). For monitoring the premature infants continuously it requires sensors. It has been learnt that the temperature, breathing rate, body movements, loudness, or cry are some of the features to be monitored in incubator. Hence, in this paper, a wireless communication and body area network based system that constantly examine the vital physiological parameters of the baby kept in the NICU has been discussed. The analog signals from the sensors are processed using a Raspberry Pi. The system has been developed with Raspberry Pi B+ module as the controller. Sensors are used to monitor the physiological parameters and Pi camera is used to detect the baby movements. Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) module is incorporated in the proposed system to transmit the parameters via a short message service (SMS). Hence, this system offers a suitable method for parents and nurses to monitor premature infants.