Remote Patient Data Entry and Analysis

Overview

I was not able to complete the project that I had originally proposed because of health issues and hardware problems and a much bigger learning curve with the software SDK than I had anticipated. I thought it would be useful to present what I had I had originally proposed.

Original Proposal

I am going to build a portable battery powered instrument for entry and analysis of patient data. The operator interface will be provided using an iPad running a BLE application program. Patient identification will be provided by reading unique RFC tags. Sensors will read heart rate, blood oxygenation, and body temperature. Additional information, such as weight, height, and blood pressure, can be added using the iOS app. The firmware program will provide feedback and warnings if unhealthy tends are detected in the data.

The nRF5340 DK will run the main application program. It will read the RFC tags using the RFC interface and communicate with the iPad and iOS app via the BLE interface. The iOS app will provide the user interface to trigger sensor input activity and to provide data display and user feedback. Battery power and charging will be provided via the battery interface and an external LiPo battery. Heart rate and blood oxygenation will be provided using a MAX30102 Pulse Oximeter and Heart-Rate sensor and temperature will be provided using a MAX30205 Human Body Temperature sensor.

I'll use the Power Profiler Kit II to optimize the power profile to extend the required the time between battery charging.

Actual Project Implementation

Developing the Project

Step 1: nRF5340 DK and tools setup

To begin development for the nRF5340 DK it is necessary to install the required components of the nRF Connect Toolchain.

For my project I need the following components:

• nRF Connect SDK
• Power Profiler app
• Bluetooth Low Energy app

I am using a Windows 10 Desktop for development, so the easiest method to install the tools is using the nRF Connect for Desktop app: nRF-Connect-for-desktop/Download. I decided to install all the applications since it is likely that I'll eventually use most of them (possibly not the LTE Link Monitor).

The Toolchain Manager enables you to install specific versions of the nRF Connect SDK with the required dependencies. I initially installed v1.5.0 and then v1.5.1 when it became available. That's what I am currently using for my project.

Opening the IDE from the Toolchain Manager will open SEGGER Embedded Studio for ARM which is licensed for use with Nordic hardware.

Step 2: Verify BLE operation

To verify the toolchain installation and BLE operation, I'm going to use the BLE LED Button service example (peripheral_lbs).

First step is to open the project in the SEGGER Embedded Studio

Step 3: Verify Power Profiler operation

Step 4: Install and verify MAX30102 Pulse Oximeter and Heart-Rate sensor

Step 5: Install and verify MAX30205 Human Body Temperature sensor

Step 6: Install and verify PN532 NFC RFID reader

Step 7: Create application program

Step 8: Create BLE app

Step 9: Measure operating power using Power Profiler

Project Summary and Next Steps: