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Description
The primary aim of the research and development project is to enhance the competitiveness of MedTechLab Ltd. by introducing an innovative Welfare Technology (WT) solution that will provide significant benefits to both dementia patients and their caregivers. Caring for a loved one with dementia presents considerable challenges, and one distressing consequence is the tendency for patients to wander due to disorientation, confusion, memory loss, and other dementia-related symptoms. Patients may venture out at any time, potentially becoming lost. In response to this pressing issue, MedTechLab Ltd. will focus on developing technology that addresses the following key challenges:
- Real-time location tracking to quickly locate lost dementia patients.
- Activity monitoring for better understanding of patient condition and areas for improvement.
- Fall detection to ensure immediate response to accidents.
The new welfare solution revolves around a smart device that collects motion and location data from the patient. These devices transmit regular updates to a server, with customizable time intervals ranging from live streaming to updates every 2 hours. The server processes and analyzes the data using cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence algorithms. The processed data is then forwarded to the web backend for visualization on web and mobile applications. The system enables instant location tracking of the patient and provides information about their steps, sleep patterns, and any falls. The historical data helps relatives monitor changes in the behavior of the dementia patient.
Summary of project results
Looking after a relative with dementia is a serious challenge. There are numerous considerations that have to be made and still might not be enough to keep them safe at all times. The focus is mainly on making sure their condition is controlled and the factors that can slow the deterioration of the brain functions are managed. The wandering is a terrible result of disorientation, confusion, memory loss and other symptoms of dementia. Dementia patients can go out at any time of day, hot or cold, with or without clothes. They get lost and it is a very difficult situation for everyone involved, as they have to physically locate the lost person.
The research and development activities included the following :
- Development of the industrial design of the device
- Hardware development, mechanical engineering and firmware development
- Data processing server software and machine learning algorithms
- Web back end and front end development
- Production of 5 samples.
The project resulted in :
- One new technological solutions for real-time monitoring of people with dementia developed
- Two new products developed - smart wearable device and smart home unit
- A licence application submitted
- 3 new jobs created.
MedTechLab EOOD developed a technology addressing the following main challenges:
- Locating a lost dementia patient with real-time location
- Activity monitoring to help understand their condition better and how to improve on certain areas
- Fall detection
The smart device is collecting the data that is needed and then sent via mobile network to the company''s servers for immediate processing and analysis. The results are then visualised onto the web/mobile platform where all users with access can see them. Depending on the settings for the notifications that are selected, the relatives/caretakers can get push notifications when something requires their attention. Part of the factors that can be controlled, in order to slow the dementia onset is the physical activity and good night sleep. It is very important that dementia patients are active, and the system can help monitor that.
The industrial design of the device has been designed, based on the need of the dementia patients - shape, size, security strap, colour, usage, charging.
The solution is innovative on a national level by offering together location tracking, activity monitoring, fall detection, a security strap and on the wrist charging.