WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY BASED BIOTELEMETRY
TOM MATHEW1,SHANAVAS.K.P.2
IIIrd Electrical and Electronics Engineering,
Muthayammal Engineering College, Rasipuram.
tommathw@gmail.com1,snavas63@yahoo.com2
ABSTRACT
Biotelemetry is a vital constituent in the field
of medical sciences. It entails remote
measurement of biological parameters.
Transmission of physiological data from
point of generation to the point of reception
can take many forms. In 1903, Einthoven, the
originator of electrocardiogram, transmitted
electrocardiograms from a hospital to his
laboratory many miles away as a means of
analysis of the electrical activity of the heart
by means of wires. However the major
advantage of modern telemetry is the
elimination of the use of wires.
Biotelemetry, using wireless diagnosis, can
monitor electronically the symptoms and
movements of patients. This development has
opened up avenues for medical diagnosis and
treatment. It enables monitoring of activity
levels in patients suffering from heart
troubles, asthma, pain, Alzheimer’s disease,
mood disorders, cardiovascular problems,
accidents, etc. A patient’s response and
reaction to drugs can also be investigated for
treatment.
Radio telemetry transmits biological data
using various radio transmission techniques.
No wires are required to be attached to the
patient’s body. The patient just carries a
bracelet-sized transmitter that enables
monitoring of the patients symptoms.
Wireless Telemetry
Wireless telemetry permits examination of
the physiological data of man or animal
under normal conditions and in natural
surroundings without any discomfort or
obstructions to the person or animal under
investigation. Using wireless telemetry
physiological signals can be obtained from
swimmers, riders, athletes, pilots or manual
labours.
MODULATION SYSTEMS
Wireless telemetry makes use of two
modulators for transmitting biomedical
signals. The principle of double modulation
gives better interference free performance in
transmission and enables the reception of low
frequency biomedical signals. The sub
modulators can be FM or PWM.where as the
final modulator is always an FM system. AM
is not adopted because when relative motion
occurs between the transmitter and receiver,
the signal amplitude will be varied and thus
introduces serious error. Any signals
(Physiological) are fed into the signal
conditioner and then to an encoder, where the
encoded is transmitted across transmission
media with the help of a transmitter. The
modulated carrier or the transmission
medium takes the signals to the remote
monitoring station where the signals are first
detected and then passed through a
demultiplexer and decoder. Signals, which
are decoded, are then taken as output.
Fig.1.Universal Biotelemetry System
The Transmitter
Mobile units attached to the patient consist of
a transmitter. Bioelectrical signals are
obtained directly from the patient while
physiological variables like temperature,
pressure, or other parameters from the patient
are converted into electrical form using
appropriate transducers. Signal conditioning
is used to amplify, modify and process the
input received. It combines or relates the
output of two or more transducers. Even
though the input it receives is an electrical
signal, signal-conditioning circuit produces
an output to satisfy the function and makes
signals suitable for transmission.
Transmission and receiving circuits act upon
the physiological signal from the signal
conditioning equipment. The physiological
signal modulates a low-frequency carrier,
called a sub carrier, often in the audio
frequency range. The sub carrier in turn
modulates the RF signal to be propagated and
sent to the antenna. If several physiological
signals are to be transmitted simultaneously,
each signal is placed on a carrier of a
different frequency and all sub carriers are
combined to simultaneously modulate the RF
carrier. This process of transmitting many
channels of data on a single carrier, called
frequency multiplexing, is more efficient.
The sub-carrier is modulated either by AM
(amplitude modulation) or FM (frequency
modulation).
Fig.2.Transmitter Block Diagram
The Receiver
It is the receiving station, situated at the
hospital/treatment center. The receiver
consists of tuner, demodulator, and
displaying system. It receives the multiplexed
RF carrier emitted by the patient’s
transmitter, as shown in fig. The tuner has a
tuning circuit. When the circuit is tuned to
receive signals, the appropriate signal is
selected and the unwanted signals are
rejected. The multiplexed RF carrier is
demodulated to recover the individual sub
carriers. Sub carriers are then demodulated to
reproduce original physiological signals
emitted by the patient. A recorder records
physiological signals for future reference.
Signals can be stored on any secondary
storage media like tape, magnetic disks, etc.
Display system used can be a CRO, CRT or
computer monitor, chart recorder etc.
Fig.3. Receiver Block Diagram
Implantable Units
The implanted transmitter is especially useful
in animal’s studies, where the equipment
must be protected from the animals. Once a
unit is implanted, it is no longer available for
serving and the life of the unit depends on
how long the battery can supply the
necessary current. The use of implanted unit
also restricts the distance of transmission of
the signal. Since the body fluids and skin
greatly attenuate the signal, the range of
signal is quite restricted, often to just a few
feet. This disadvantages has been overcome
by picking up the signal with a near by
antenna and transmitting it. Another problem
has been the encapsulation of the unit. The
outer case and any writing must be
impervious to body fluids and moisture.
Silicon encapsulation is commonly used.
In simple terms, the complete implantable
telemetry transmitter system consists of the
transducer, the leads from transducer to the
transmitter, the transmitter unit itself and
power supplies. The transducers are
implanted surgically in the position required
for a particular measurement, such as in aorta
or other arteries for blood pressure.
Operation
Current radio monitoring systems keep
thousands of patients under surveillance, with
limited scope. Biotelemetry systems consist
of transmitter, simple telephone modem, and
central receiving station. Central receiving
station tunes into a transmitter, whose size
may range from a bracelet to a small pocket
transistor. This tracking system can be used
within the hospital premises. Each patient is
equipped with a pager sized personal
monitoring as well as alarm system. When
the patient wearing the transmitter device
attached to his wrist, chest, and waist etc-
leaves a specified range, periodic RF signals
are sent to the modem. The modem sends out
an alert signal to both the patient and to the
central monitoring station. When the
patient’s health condition becomes worse,
emergency signals are transmitted. The
mobile unit attached to the patient has an
output of nearly 1W. Location of the patient
is derived from time- of-arrival calculations.
The system uses spread spectrum techniques
operating in the RF band of 902- 928 MHz to
transmit signals of the patient’s condition
alone with whereabouts. A network of
receivers scattered through out the specified
area picks up the signals with health
condition of patient. Location is display on a
map at central facility in the hospital/
treatment center. Tracking is done by a
spread spectrum, using triangulation
technique based on time of arrival at various
receivers, to locate the patient. This
triangulation technology is applied to locate
the origins of all emergency signals send and
users with personal two – way digital
wireless communication devices.
Measurements in Biotelemetry
Any quantity that can be measured in the
biomedical field is adaptable to biotelemetry.
The measurements are divided in to two
categories:
1. Bioelectric potentials
2. Physiological potentials.
Bioelectrical variables include measurements
like ECG, EMG, and EEG. Signals are
obtained directly in the electric form.
Physiological variables such as temperature,
blood pressure, blood flow etc require some
excitation or external electrical parameters.
Transducers are used for the conversion of
physiological parameters into an electrical
signal. Parameters are measured as the
variation of resistance, capacitance, or
inductance. Variations can be calibrated to
represent pressure, temperature, or blood
flow. Base signal is modulated for
transmission. And finally, this signal is
detected (demodulated) and converted back
to its original form.
1. Biotelemetry for Bioelectric
Potentials:
 ECG Telemetry
One example of ECG telemetry is the
transmission of electrocardiograms from an
ambulance or site of an emergency to a
hospital, where a cardiologist can
immediately interpret the ECG, instruct the
trained rescue team in their emergency
procedures, and arrange for any special
treatment that may be necessary upon arrival
of the patient at the hospital. Other
applications include monitoring of athletes
running a race in an effort to improve their
performance.
The actual equipments worn by the subject is
quite comfortable and usually does not
impede movement. In addition to the
electrodes that are taped into place, the
patient or subject wears a belt around the
waist with a pocket for the transmitter. Power
for the transmitter is from a battery, usually a
mercury cell, with a useful life of about 30
hours.
 EEG Telemetry
Most of the applications of this telemetry
have been involved with experimental
animals for research purposes. One example
is in the space biology program, where
chimpanzees have had the necessary EEG
electrodes implanted in the brain. The leads
from the electrodes are brought to a small
transmitter installed on the animals’ head,
and the EEG is transmitted. Telemetry of
EEG signals has also been used in the studies
of mentally distributed children. The child
wears a specifically designed “football
helmet” with built- in electrodes so that EEG
can be continuously monitored without
traumatic difficulties during play.
One advantage of monitoring by telemetry is
to circumvent a problem that often hampers
medical diagnosis. Patients frequently
experience pains; aches or other symptoms
that give trouble for days, only to have them
disappear just before or during medical
examination. With telemetry and long term
monitoring, the cause of these symptoms may
be detected when they occur or, if recorded
on magnetic tape, can be analyzed later.
 EMG Telemetry
The EMG particularly useful for studies of
muscle damage and partial paralysis
problems and also in human performance
studies.The telemetry also can be used in
transmitting stimulus signals to a patient. For
example, it well known that an electrical
impulse can trigger the firing of nerves. If an
electrode is surgically implanted and
connected to the dead nerve endings, an
electrical impulse can sometimes cause the
nerve to function as they once did. If a
miniature receiver is implanted subcutaneous,
the electrical signal can be generated
remotely. One example is the use of
telemetry in the treatment of “droop foot”
which is one of the most common disabilities
resulting from stroke.
2.PhysiologicalPotentials(Using
Transducers):
device was a “radio pill”, which had a
volume less than 1cm contains a sensor plus
a miniature transmitter and could be
swallowed by the patient. As it passed
through the gastro- intestinal tract, it
measured the pressure at various points it
encountered. Such radio pills are available to
measure temperature, pH, and enzyme
activity also.
Applications Of Telemetry

By using suitable transducers, telemetry can 1. Applications of telemetry in patient care

be employed for the measurement of a wide a. Telemetry of ECG’s from extended
variety of physiological variables. In some coronary care patients
cases, the transducer circuit is designed as a b.Telemetry for ECG measurements during
separate “plug-in” module to fit into the exercise.
transmitter, allowing one transmitter design c.Telemetry for elementary patient
to be used for different types of monitoring.
measurements. Also, as many variables can
In many areas ambulances and
be measured and transmitted simultaneously
emergency rescue teams are equipped with
by multiplexing techniques.One important
telemetry equipment to allow
application of telemetry is in the field of
electrocardiograms and other physiological
blood pressure and heart rate research in
data to be transmitted to a near by hospital
anaesthetized animals. The transducers are
for interpretation. Two-way voice
surgically implanted with leads brought out
transmission is used in conjunction with
through the animal’s skin. A male plug is
telemetry to facilitate identification of the
attached postoperatively and later connected
telemetered information and to provide
to the female socket contained in the
instructions for treatment. Through the use of
transmitter unit. Blood flow also has been
such equipment, ECG’s can be interpreted
studied extensively by telemetry. Both
and treatment begun before the patient
Doppler-type and electromagnetic-type
arrives at the hospital. Telemetry of this
transducers can be employed. The use of
requires much powerful transmitters than
thermistors to measure temperature is also
ordinary systems.
easily adaptable to telemetry. In addition to
constant monitoring of skin temperature or
2. Collection of medical data from a home or
systemic body temperature, the thermistors
office.
system has applications in obstetrics and
3. Research on unrestrained, unanesthized
gynecology. Long-term study of natural birth
animals in their natural habitat.
control by monitoring vaginal temperature
4. Isolation of an electrically susceptible
has incorporate telemetry units. The earliest
patient from power line operated ECG
(1952) biotelemetry transmitter was the “
equipment to protect him from accident or
Endo radio- sonde”. The pressure-sensing
shock.
5. Measurement of the temperature and
position of the egg in a nest by telemetry
system. This works describes a biotelemetry
system for continuous monitoring of
temperature and position of an artificial radio
transmitter egg in a mall bird nest.
6 Biotelemetry for space life sciences
research
realize and implement biotelemetry without
much effort and cost. Biotelemetry will
enable patients to move and perform their
daily chores without any worry or mental
stress of the unpredictable attack due to their
body disorders. Patients who need continuous
monitoring can wear a biotelemetry device,
which automatically sends the vital signals to
the hospitals. There is need to create interest
in this field and initiate research activities.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Advantages  Biomedical Instrumentation and

Measurements by Leslie
1. Reduction of the impediment of the Cromwell & Fred J. Weibell
information source (patient, subject or
animal).  Handbook of biomedical
2. Reduction of the psychological Instrumentation by R.S Khandpur
effects on the information source.
3. Reduction of measuring artifacts,
4. Reduction of the risk for
electroshock,
5. Reduction of the complexity of
monitoring of physiological variables,
as well as a potential reduction of the
total cost of patient care.

Limitations

The system has inherent limitations.

Movement of the patient is restricted. If the
patient goes beyond the range of the system,
his ECG cannot be monitored. Research is in
progress for upgrades. Practical systems are
being developed to build on existing
technology and public infrastructure.

CONCLUSION

Use of biotelemetry techniques in medical

science will bring out a sea- change with
improvements in patient care treatment.
Since the technology uses the existing
communication infrastructure, it is easy to