Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Inventive Communication and Computational Technologies (ICICCT 2018)

IEEE Xplore Compliant - Part Number: CFP18BAC-ART; ISBN:978-1-5386-1974-2

IOT BASED HEALTH MONITORING

SYSTEM USING RASPBERRY PI - REVIEW

Sunilkumar Laxmanbhai Rohit Bharat V. Tank

M.Tech. in VLSI and Embedded System Design M.Tech. in E.C.
Parul Institute of Technology Parul Institute of Technology
Limda, Waghodia, Vadodara Limda, Waghodia, Vadodara
[email protected] [email protected]

Abstract. Many patients die all over the world due to lack of parameters are then sent to a Raspberry Pi based Web server
timely and proper help. A portable system for continuous for display on the web page. ZigBee is used for
physiological parameter monitoring is essential for elderly and communication between Arduino and Raspberry Pi. The
ill patients who are not in the hospital. IOT(Internet Of necessary software is developed using Arduino IDE and
Things) based patient health monitoring system will enable the Python language. The updated parameter values can be
doctor to view patient's health status online. Raspberry Pi viewed from anywhere using an internet enabled device
board is used as the gateway or medium of sensor input devices Also, when the value of the physiological parameters
which are attached to the patient and to send physiological exceeds a certain threshold, the caretaker is alerted through
parameter value of a patient to doctor computer through SMS. This system is especially helpful for elderly and ill
internet. So that necessary treatment can be given immediately patients. [1]
by doctor remotely and doctor can be advised remotely to the
patient. We are used Raspberry Pi as a gateway or medium for A temperature, respiration, patient’s movements and
a serial input value of sensors. For programming, Python and heart beat reading results are monitored. These sensors
C language are used. This is IOT based remote technology for signals send to the Raspberry Pi via amplifier circuit and
medical treatment for patient. signal conditioning unit (SCU), because the signals levels
are low (gain), so amplifier circuit is used to gain up the
Keywords: Raspberry Pi; Pulse heart beat sensor; Body signal and transmit the signals to the Raspberry Pi. Here
Temperature Sensor; ECG sensor; Blood pressure sensor; Patient patients body temperature, body movements in sleep
position sensor position, respiration, and heart rate is measured using
respective sensors and it can be monitored in the monitor
I INTRODUCTION screen of a computer using Raspberry Pi as well as
In this review paper, I have reviewed different paper of monitoring through anywhere in the world using internet
IOT based health monitoring system using Raspberry Pi. source. [2]
Raspberry Pi is used as a gateway or medium for an input
value of Pulse/Heart beat sensor, ECG sensor, Body A system is designed to monitor the Electrocardiogram
temperature sensor, Blood pressure sensor, and Patient (ECG) and other vital parameters. This data is stored in a
position sensor for sending the value to the VNC Viewer of database and can be displayed in a website that can be
doctor through the VNC Server using the internet. The accessed only by authorized personnel. For easy access,
doctor will analyze the parameter value of patient health Python programming language is used for the
through VNC Viewer. And the doctor will be taken communication with ECG machines and updating website
immediate action for the patient proper treatment. So, database using MySQLdb. Update the website database with
patient health will be continuous monitor using this new health parameters. If the heart beat is in normal range
technology. We are used ARM processor based Raspberry monitoring continues. If the heart beat is not in normal range
Pi as a gateway or medium for a serial input value of alert the authorized person by sending SMS through GSM
sensors. For programming, Python and C language are used. module and alert in the hospital through buzzer sound. [3]
VNC server is used at the Raspberry Pi OS and VNC To realize distributed body temperature monitoring
Viewer is used at the computer of doctor. Using VNC system is designed using temperature sensor DS18B20.
viewer doctor remotely can be analyzed different parameter Heart beat sensor is designed to give a digital output of
value of patient using different sensor which are attached to heartbeat when a finger is placed on it. Interfacing of
the patient. For access raspberry pi, you must have static IP different measurement units with Raspberry Pi Python is
address of remote Raspberry Pi internet. VNC server can be used. The webpage will be show body temperature and heart
accessed local network, Wi-Fi and internet through. Using rate. [4]
this project doctor can be directly view different parameter
value of patient without any delay of sensor value which are The sensor measures ECG signals continuously and the
become most of webpage technology for sensor. signals are captured by e-Health Sensor. These values are
continuously transmitted using USB cable into a Raspberry
Pi. The Mini PC processes the data and displays the value in
II LITERATURE SURVEY
the monitor as a terminal console. It will also display
Various basic physiological parameters of human such graphics corresponding to these ECG values. [5]
as blood pressure, heartbeat, oxygen saturation in Blood
(SPO2), body temperature and fall detection are measured
using relevant sensors and sent to the Arduino
microcontroller board for further processing. The computed

978-1-5386-1974-2/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE 997

 Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Inventive Communication and Computational Technologies (ICICCT 2018)
IEEE Xplore Compliant - Part Number: CFP18BAC-ART; ISBN:978-1-5386-1974-2

III PROPOSED SYSTEM

Fig. 2 IOT application stages [8]

compressed sensing paradigm. In health monitoring

applications and wireless body sensor network, compressed
sensing has been investigated and studied extensively.

V DIFFERENT COMPONENTS FOR PROPOSED

SYSTEM

Raspberry Pi

Fig. 1 Block diagram of IOT based health monitoring system

using Raspberry Pi

As shown in fig.1 block diagram of IOT based health

monitoring system using Raspberry Pi, different sensors like
Pulse/Heart beat sensor, Body temperature sensor, ECG
sensor, Blood pressure sensor and Patient position sensor
are attached to the patient and sensor output serially are sent
to Raspberry Pi. Raspberry Pi is processed on these signals
sequentially or simultaneously. Raspberry pi is shown
signals value on the Raspberry Pi program window and
these sensors values can be shown by doctor using VNC
server of Raspberry Pi connected to LAN or Wi-Fi internet.
Raspberry pi is ARM processor based credit/debit card sized
mini computer. Raspberry Pi is small portable computer and
very easy to carry any place. Here Raspberry Pi is used as
medium or gateway for sensor input and VNC server.
Fig. 3 Raspberry Pi Kit

IV SYSTEM PROCESSING The Raspberry Pi is a mini computer (consist of

The system is classed into 2 components, viz. Hardware processor, graphics card, and memory in a single package).
& Software; whereas hardware unit consists of transmitter This model was developed in UK, it is about the size of a
section and receiver section and software package unit credit card. The board is developed for the users who
consists of software package languages like python, wanted to use the system without using the computers and
MATLAB, etc. moreover as their interfacing. Here we any other operating device. Using this board, the whole
discuss IoT applications that are useful to health monitoring. system can be operated only the power source is required for
The general operation stages of an IoT application include Raspberry Pi board. The Raspberry Pi has a Broadcom
1) data acquisition, 2) data processing, 3) data storage, and BCM2837 system on a chip (SoC), which includes an ARM
4) data transmission. The first and last stages exist on every Cortex A53, 1.2 GHz processor, Video Core IV GPU, and
application, while the processing and storage may or may onboard the 1 GB of RAM is available. It does not contain a
not exist in some applications. Here data acquisition is used built-in hard disk but it uses an SD card for booting and
as real-time data transmission and real time on-board storage. The SD card must contain the operating system
process. The energy consumption of data acquisition can be (Linux), programs and the data needed to run the Raspberry
reduced with MEMS technology. Many IoT applications Pi. Raspberry Pi has the functioning according to the
have the data sparsity property and can exploit the operating system. Managing the programs and handling the
inputs, these things are managed by the operating system.

978-1-5386-1974-2/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE 998

 Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Inventive Communication and Computational Technologies (ICICCT 2018)
IEEE Xplore Compliant - Part Number: CFP18BAC-ART; ISBN:978-1-5386-1974-2

This model has features like HD (high-definition) quality Body Temperature Sensor
video playback. Also, it has sports high quality audio and
has the ability to play 3D games. This device uses the ARM
processor. The health care system consists of Raspberry Pi
B+ model which can interface with different parameters
measuring units. The Raspberry Pi works only on digital
values.

Heart Beat Pulse Sensor

Fig. 5 Body temperature sensor

This is human body temperature sensor. It can be applied

to the skin surface of your body and show the body
temperature after reaching steady state. The sensor is
accurate and stable and complies with medical certification.
It can be used in many applications such as child incubators,
Fig. 4 Heart beat pulse sensor patient monitoring, and medical research labs. The
DS18B20 digital thermometer has 9-bit to 12-bit resolution
of Celsius temperature measurements. The DS18B20
Heart beat pulse rate data is very helpful if you are communicates over a 1-Wire bus that by definition needs
planning an exercise routine, studying your activity. The just one data line (and ground) for communication with a
problem is that heart beat can be difficult to measure
central chip. In addition, the DS18B20 can take power
manually. Luckily, the Heart Beat Pulse Sensor can solve
directly from the data line, eliminating the need for an
that problem. It can be used by athletes, gymnastics,
students and mobile developers who want to easily external power supply. Each DS18B20 has a unique 64-bit
incorporate live heart beat pulse rate sensor into their serial code, which allows multiple DS18B20s to function on
projects. It has a simple photo sensor with amplifier and the same 1-Wire bus. Thus, it is simple to use one
unwanted noise remover circuitry making it fast and easy to microprocessor to control many DS18B20s distributed over
get reliable pulse readings. Also, it uses less power with just a large area. A 64 bit ROM stores the device’s unique serial
4mA current draw at 3.3V so it's great for mobile code. This 64 bit address allows a microcontroller to receive
applications. Simply clip the Heart Beat Pulse Sensor to temperature data from a virtually unlimited number of
earlobe or fingertip and plug it into your 3 or 5.5 Volt sensors at the same pin. The address gives instruction to the
Raspberry pi and you're ready to read heart rate! The 24" the microcontroller which sensor a particular temperature value
Pulse Sensor cable is terminated with standard male headers is coming from. Applications that can benefit from this
so there is no soldering required. feature include HVAC environmental controls, temperature
For most adults, normal heart rate is 60 to 80 BPM. monitoring systems inside buildings, equipment, or
Well-trained athletes can have a normal heart rate of 40 to machinery, and process monitoring and control systems.
60 BPM.
TABLE II. BODY TEMPERATURE [7]
A guideline for calculating your maximum heart pulse
rate is to deduct your age from 220, like this: Normal The average normal temperature is
37°C. But “normal” varies from
220 – your age = your maximum heart rate person to person.
For a 30-year-old person, for example: 220 – 30 = 190 Abnormal Oral, temporal artery temperature
bpm(Maximum). Fever: 38°C to 39.9°C
High fever: 40°C and higher
The target zone for a 30 year old person has between 50
and 85 percent of his or her maximum heart rate: Armpit(auxiliary) temperature
Fever: 37.4°C to 39.4°C High
50 percent: 190 x 0.50 = 95 bpm fever:39.5°C and higher
85 percent: 190 x 0.85 = 162 bpm A rectal or ear temperature of less
than 36.1°C means a low body
Human body temperature can be measured using a
TABLE I. HEART BEAT PULSE RATE OF AGE SPAN [6] thermistor sensor (e.g. DS18). The resistance of a thermistor
Age Span Heart Beat Pulse rate (BPM) depends on ambient temperature. The sensor is attached to
Less than 1 month 120-160 the human skin and the measurement is performed with the
1-12 months 80-140 assumption that the temperatures of the thermistor and skin
12 months – 2 years 80-130 are the same. This solution is good for people in constant
2-6 years 75-120 movement or people who require continuous temperature
6-12 years 75-110 monitoring. Sample curve of a negative temperature
More than 12 years 60-100 coefficient type thermistor is presented in Fig. 6.[10]

978-1-5386-1974-2/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE 999

 Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Inventive Communication and Computational Technologies (ICICCT 2018)
IEEE Xplore Compliant - Part Number: CFP18BAC-ART; ISBN:978-1-5386-1974-2

Fig. 7 ECG sensor

Fig. 6 A sample thermistor curve [10] detect continuous changes of the low electrical signals
continuous changes on the skin that arise from the heart
muscle's electrophysiological pattern of depolarizing and
Measuring human body temperature in the range
between 25 °C and 45 °C means that resistance of the repolarizing during each heartbeat signals. It is a very
thermistor changes from about 980 ohm to about 2250 ohm. commonly performed cardiology test.
Table III presents some detailed, worst-case information
about the discussed thermistor. This information is crucial,
because it determines the accuracy of the whole analog
front-end.[10]
TABLE III. DETAILED THERMISTOR VALUES [10]

Temperature Resistance R Difference Difference

[°C] [Ω] between between
current and current and
previous R [Ω] previous R
[%]
39.6 1219
39.7 1215 4 0.33
39.8 1210 5 0.41 Fig. 8 ECG graph [3]
40 1190
40.1 1186 4 0.34
40.2 1181 5 0.42 The electrocardiogram (ECG) is that the register of heart's
electrical activity. Heart muscles contract by electrical
stimulation, known as activation or excitation. These
The data shown in the table above demonstrate clearly
muscles are electrically charged at rest and get contracted by
that the measurement of human body temperature with 0.1
°C precision requires the voltage across the thermistor to be depolarizing the charge. ECG is the graph of these electrical
measured with very high accuracy. This accuracy is defined signals. It gives the information about heart rate and rhythm,
by the values presented in the 4th column of Table III. The and the mass or volume of the chambers of heart.
sum of all potential measurement errors resulting from
temperature and supply voltage instability, reference current Blood Pressure Sensor
and gain mismatch or noise, has to be lower than the Fig. 9 shows the blood pressure and pulse rate module.
presented values. While process corners and mismatches can
This module can measure the value systolic, diastolic BP
be easily calibrated, the temperature instability cannot.
Assuming that the whole measurement error is caused by the and heart beat pulse rate. It has a compact design and fits
current reference only, and the rest of the analog front-end is over the wrist like a watch and features intelligent automatic
ideal, the current reference temperature coefficient has to be compression and decompression. It operates on a +5v dc
lower than 35 ppm/°C. [10] supply. It sends serial data output through TX pin at 9600
baud rates. The output reading is an 8-bit value in ASCII
format. The typical reading is consisting of the systolic,
ECG Sensor
diastolic and heart beat pulse rate.
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test which measures the
electrical activity of your heart to show either it is working
in normal condition or not. Electrocardiography (ECG) is
the process of the show and record the electrical activity
signals of your heart over a period of time using conductor
type electrodes placed on your skin. Electrodes are used to

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 Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Inventive Communication and Computational Technologies (ICICCT 2018)
IEEE Xplore Compliant - Part Number: CFP18BAC-ART; ISBN:978-1-5386-1974-2

Systolic values between 140 and 159 and diastolic

between 90 to 99 mmHg show a mild hypertension (stage
1).
Systolic values between 160 and 179 and diastolic
between 100 to 109 mmHg show a moderate hypertension
(stage 2).
Systolic values above 180 and diastolic about 110 mmHg
show a severe hypertension (stage 3).

Patient Position Sensor

Fig. 9 Blood pressure sensor

Fig. 11 Accelerometer sensor

Body Position Sensor monitors the patient proper and

wrong sleeping position. In many cases, it is necessary to
monitor the body movements and positions made by patient
because of their relationships to particular diseases.
Analyzing movements during sleep also help in determining
regular sleep quality and irregular sleeping patterns. The
body position sensor could help also to detect fainting or
Fig. 10 Blood pressure value graph falling of elderly people or persons with disabilities.

Using this fig. 10 blood pressure chart, to determine what

VI APPLICATION
your blood pressure readings value mean, just see your top
systolic value number on the left side of the blood pressure ➢ ICU’s (Intensive Care Unit).
chart and read across, and your diastolic bottom number ➢ Operation Theaters.
value on the bottom of the blood pressure chart. Where the ➢ For personal care unit for Athletes and Gymnastics
two-values meet your blood pressure. For understanding ➢ Home
blood pressure readings mean, you can observe from the ➢ Hospital
blood pressure chart, only one of the numbers has to be
higher or lower than it should be to count as either high VII CONCLUSION
blood pressure or low blood pressure:
After this review, i have realized that this system will be
Systolic values below 90 mmHg and a diastolic value
helpful of students, patients, athletes, gymnastics for their
below 60 mmHg show may have low blood pressure.
health analysis easily at any place. This entire health
Systolic values between 90 and 119 mmHg and diastolic
monitoring system which can be integrated into a small
values between 60 to 79 mmHg show your ideal blood
compact unit as small as a cell phone or wrist watch. This
pressure reading. Follow a good healthy lifestyle to keep it
will help the patients to easily carry this device with them
at this level.
wherever they go. It will also useful for project developers
Systolic values between 120 and 129 and diastolic values
of biomedical devices systems.
between 80 and 84 you have a normal blood pressure
reading.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Systolic values between 130 and 139 and diastolic
between 85 to 89 mmHg show a normal high blood We are thankful to HOD of E.C. department, Mr. Haresh
pressure. Suthar for helping, giving guidance & giving information
in “IOT Based Health Monitoring System Using Raspberry
Pi-Review ”.

978-1-5386-1974-2/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE 1001

 Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Inventive Communication and Computational Technologies (ICICCT 2018)
IEEE Xplore Compliant - Part Number: CFP18BAC-ART; ISBN:978-1-5386-1974-2

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978-1-5386-1974-2/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE 1002