Improved Smart Pillow for Remote Health Care System

Abstract

The outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) resulted in the clinical decision that reduced direct contact is optimal, especially for senior citizens residing in nursing homes. A smart pillow adapted for the Remote Healthcare System is presented in this paper, whose core is a Bluetooth (BT) host equipped with temperature and pressure sensors. The measurement of Core Body Temperature (CBT) from the perspective of heat transfer is first analyzed, with two proven effective methods introduced—classical Zero-Heat-Flux (ZHF) and Dual-Heat-Flux (DHF)—then finally the similarities between the Smart Pillow and ZHF are demonstrated. A pressure pad is inserted inside the pillow to detect occupancy and the specific position of the head on the pillow that meets clinical diagnostic needs. Furthermore, a real-time proactive monitoring mode is enabled for urgent warnings, which forces the pillow to keep detecting and reporting data in a defined time duration but results in rapid battery drain of the pillow. In this way, the system can detect the CBT and in-bed situation of the inhabitant without being physically present to determine critical measurements. Utility of this system can be extended to elderly people living alone in regional or remote areas, such that medical help can be dispatched as soon as possible in case of medical emergency.