Li-Fi Embedded Wireless Integrated Medical Assistance System

Abstract

The hybrid Wireless Integrated Medical Assistance System (WIMAS) addressed in this paper relay both on optical wireless communication (Light-Fidelity - Li-Fi, Visible Light Communication - VLC, infrared - IR) and conventional Radio Frequency (RF) wireless communication. The medical system consists of two Wireless Medical Body Area Networks (WMBAN) based on VLC (an insulin wearable kit and ECG test device) and an Emergency Remote Medical Assistance (ERMA) with Li-Fi wireless communication technology embedded. Using RF in medical facilities is subject of strict regulations due to interferences with other RF devices, negative effects on human health and lack of security. On the other hand, both Li-Fi and VLC are suitable to be set as wireless communication technologies in medical environments and by the patients with wearable WMBAN. Research on VLC and IR transdermal communication for implantable medical devices has also been demonstrated as feasible with promising future and the Li-Fi technology recently deployed on the market is mature enough to be integrated in the emergency remote medical assistance system presented here.