How IoT can help fight COVID-19 battle

Presenting by

Amit Kumar Jha

Diploma IV Sem, Computer Science
Jagannath University
 INTRODUCTION
The world is fighting with novel coronavirus, healthcare officials are working tirelessly to
provide the best facilities to prevent citizens from infection and to save those who are already
infected. In such a scenario, technology innovation are steadily making a difference to
healthcare systems. Countries are mustering all resources at their disposal and deploying
cutting-edge technology to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 and profile people at risk.

Internet of Things (IoT), in particular, and along with other technologies like Cloud and AI, is of
great use during the crisis. According to a study by researchers at MIT, overlaying
geographic information system (GIS) on IoT mobile data can assist epidemiologists in their
search for patient zero and can help identify all the people who have come into contact with
the infected patients. The technology can also be helpful in monitoring patients who are high-
risk and hence can be a source of information to healthcare staff to take adequate action.
 EXAMPLES

Example-1 Connected thermometers:

Connected thermometers are being used by
hospitals to screen patients and staff. Shanghai
Public Health Clinical Center (SPHCC) along
with seven other hospitals throughout China
are currently using continuous temperature
sensors to monitor COVID-19 patients to
reduce the risks of hospital staffs. This device
has been built by California-based connected
health startup VivaLNK’s.

VivaLNK’s body temperature sensors provide

continuous, real-time monitoring of any
changes in body temperature. This uses IoT
Access Controller by Cassia to receive real-
time patient data from the sensors and
wirelessly transmit this data to a nurse’s
station for continuous monitoring. Apart from
this Kinsa Health has used data gathered from
its over one million connected thermometers to
produce daily maps showing which US
counties are seeing an increase in high fevers.
Example-2 Smart Wearable:
Researchers at IIT-Istituto Italiano di
Tecnologia have designing sensorized suits that
can monitor human body parameters. The
smartband alert users when their body
temperature is higher than 98 degrees. While
reading the movement of the human body, The
smartband releases radio signals from which
the distance from another bracelet can be
retrieved; when two smartbands are in
proximity, they vibrate, thus emitting an alert
signal that helps people respect social
distancing. The frequency of the radio signal is
2.45 GHz, the same of Bluetooth, but IIT
developed a proprietary protocol for an easier
and faster detection of human proximities.
Therefore, a future development of the
smartband can devise mobile apps that
communicate with the bracelet using classical
Bluetooth.
In China people are using bracelets and rings
synced with an AI platform from CloudMinds
to provide constant monitoring of vital signs,
including temperature, heart rate and blood
oxygen levels.
Example-3 IoT Buttons:
Visionstate designed its first Internet of Things
buttons which is being used by hospitals in
Vancouver. The buttons are called Wanda
QuickTouch that addresses the need for rapid
deployment in a facility of any size. The IoT
buttons send instant alerts to management
advising of any cleaning or maintenance issues
that may pose risks to public safety. The
technology enables facility managers to track
alerts and staff response times, as well as
monitor regular cleaning activities in the high-
traffic areas. The button monitor alerts issued
by staff or the general public and can be
adhered to any surface and requires no
infrastructure to operate. The IoT buttons are
battery operated and automatically connect to
the LTE-M network and can be used in patient
rooms, nursing stations, restrooms, or common
areas. The buttons can be used in conjunction
with Visionstate’s new Wanda mobile app,
which provides facility managers with the
ability to track cleaning and maintenance
activities throughout a facility.
Thanking You