System architecture of the Smartbeat project is defined

The Smartbeat project aims to monitor people with increased risk of heart failure remotely. The consortium, consisting of 8 partners including Verhaert, has been working on the system architecture for this project. The elements and requirements for the system have been identified and the system architecture is finalized.

Proactively manage heart failure

Smartbeat is a project in the forefront of medical innovation focusing on the treatment of heart failure. For many years cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death in the western world. They are affecting the daily lives of countless patients, caregivers and medical staff. To manage heart failure proactively, we need an advanced monitoring solution.

Sensors to measure a patient’s vital signs

Cardiovascular diseases are complex and many factors should be taken into account. However, there is an enormous potential in the data of a patient’s vital signs: heart rate, rhythm, blood pressure and pulmonary congestion. The Smartbeat project aims to measure them daily with a suit of easy to use sensors. This potential is only fully exploited when the data is processed, exchanged and presented to the patients and caregivers in a way that empowers them.

Focus on technology, people and context

Verhaert is one of the consortium partners in the Smartbeat project. We embraced the opportunity to implement our philosophy of ‘the sweet spot of innovation’, bringing together technology, people and context. Our goal is to develop an efficient tool that will have a positive impact on the lives of patients, caregivers and medical staff.

Elements of the system architecture

Together we have finalized the system architecture of the Smartbeat project which will enable us to develop an effective technology. The elements of this system architecture:

• A suit with easy to use sensors that measures the patient’s vital signs
• A data analysis module that processes and regulates the data in the system
• A portal for caregivers and medical staff to access data in an easy way and send messages to patients
• A Smartbeat companion app that empowers the patients by presenting feedback, messages from caregivers or medical staff and reminders about medication and the treatment

In the coming months, the consortium will build upon this architecture with the input of patients, caregivers and medical staff. We will sharpen the system to get even closer to the sweet spot of innovation.

For more information visit www.smartbeatproject.org.