Infant Incubator Monitoring and Emergency Alarm System Using The Internet of Things
Infant Incubator Monitoring and Emergency Alarm System Using The Internet of Things
Abstract- Giving birth to a child is one of the most interactions due to their environmental and working
precious moments in life. Every second a new life is conditions. For the sustainment of premature babies, oxygen
brought into the world and not many children are lucky and nutrition are a must. There should be an appropriate
enough to be healthy. Monitoring the health conditions of thermal environment in incubators in addition to this. The
a baby in an incubator is considered a critical medical thermal environment impacts the intrauterine conditions of
issue. Baby incubators play a vital role in the life-saving of premature infants. The rectal temperature should be targeted
premature babies since premature newborn babies cannot to 37 to 37.5°C and a comfort temperature is suggested.
regulate their body temperatures on their own like normal In Intensive Care Units (ICU), the use of a central
newborn babies. Hence, there is a need for health monitoring system is essential and more convenient. This
caregiver interactions due to certain conditions. So a helps the caretakers to monitor the patients in real time. But
novel-based solution is provided in this paper for the this system is missing in the infant’s ICU. The caretakers
above-mentioned problem by using the Internet of Things should go around each incubator to check it. This made way
(IoT) in incubators to alert the neonatal nurses so that for the development of a web-based monitoring system after
preventive measures can be taken. It prevents the theft some decades. A recent study shows that over 20 million
from being held in the incubator rooms of the baby. The newborn babies are premature babies or babies with low birth
parameters such as heartbeat, temperature, wetness, etc., weight every year. And among them around 450 are estimated
of the baby are monitored, measured, and saved in the as deceased for each hour. The death of these premature or
cloud for every 10 minutes. The power failure is also low birth weight babies can be prevented by using the
intimated within a short span. neonatal incubator. Neonatal incubators are life-saving
Index Terms— Incubators, Internet of Things, Alerting, devices for many of these babies by providing them with
Neonatal, Parameters, Heartbeat, Temperature, Wetness, appropriate environmental and thermal conditions so that the
Cloud, Power Failure baby can get normal weight and adequate nourishment by
taking the available resources from the incubators.
I. INTRODUCTION In 2015, it was proved that more than ¼ of the population
worldwide is using smart phones. The mobile applications are
for social media, sports, games, news, business, healthcare
A. General:
and even shopping. The growth of bio-medical sensors, the
According to a study, the major reasons for the 370,000
need for patients, and the expense of healthcare induces the
neonatal deaths in India in 2015 were low birth weight and
developers to create an m-health application. Some of those
premature birth. It is also found that the neonatal deaths due to
applications are based on the staff level like sophisticated
the above-mentioned reasons were around 12.3/1000 births in
monitoring, database handling, clinical advice, diagnostic
2000 to 14.3/1000 births in 2015. The rise in the deaths of
data, etc. and some applications are based on patient
premature babies and low weight at birth is uniform across
monitoring for vital signals, fitness, online medical advice,
India. It means that the death rate is high in rural areas and
and drug prescriptions.
less in urban areas. Furthermore, these babies needed more
The information technology (IT) field is developing more
investments in incubators and Intensive Care Units (ICU) to
in the instance of sensors, nano-technology, and bio-
get proper neonatal care.
industries. The e-healthcare system is very useful in hospitals
Even though incubators play a vital role in the lives of
premature babies, they require instrument-health caregiver
for gaining information from the patients. But these are a system failure.[1] N.S. Salahuddin. et al (2014), designed a
wired process based on the network protocol and database. system that would stabilize the temperature and relative
Nowadays wireless communication is going on increasing in humidity when the value is not in accordance with the
the healthcare field due to the advanced and new technologies predetermined value and immediately send a warning message
built in smart devices with the help of wireless sensor nodes. to the destination mobile number.[2]
A wearable sensor should have the characteristic of a long
battery life. So, the development of self-powered sensors Kalaiyarasi M. et al. (2021) included the addition of a
based on body heat is proposed. The wireless remote sound sensor and alarm to the block, which will notify the
healthcare system and monitoring are usually achieved by nurse in the event of an emergency in a typical incubator.[3]
using wearable sensors. These devices can collect the required Suthagar S et al. (2022) help to detect the baby's temperature,
programmed data from the patients anywhere and these heartbeat, weight, and baby's sound inside the incubator. If
collected data are then transferred to the central storage with there are any changes in the above-said parameters beyond the
the help of advanced technologies like GSM or SMS to the threshold level, intimation will be sent to the concerned doctor
target mobile or computing systems of the doctor nurse or through the GSM. The system will keep sending the alert
caretaker. The use of the incubator is to maintain an adequate message to the doctor every minute until the doctor
environment for premature newborn babies. This is because acknowledges the baby's condition. [4]
premature infants have limited immunity and limited
thermoregulation. They are more sensitive to the C. Problem Statement:
environmental conditions. Even a small change in the
surroundings can cause adverse effects on them. Hence, there
Temperature and humidity are two of the most important
is a need for some artificial devices to make those infants
aspects that need to be monitored to provide a healthy
sustainable in the world.
environment for infants, for instance, hyperthermia in neonates
Around 1.8 million infants die every year due to improper
can lead to an increase in oxygen requirements, dehydration,
maintenance of the temperature in their bodies. The World
and apnea. According to that, the temperature and humidity
Health Organization (WHO) reported that globally more than
should be monitored continuously in the infants' incubator to
1 in 10 pregnancies results in preterm birth, which means a
provide a suitable environment and to maintain a stable core
birth that, happens after the pregnancy but not more than 37
temperature of the baby at 37 ºC. Premature infants are usually
weeks, as the normal pregnancy should be of 40 weeks. The
born less than normal weight (often less than 2.5 kg), and
preterm birth can be classified into 3 stages based on their
sometimes severe weight loss (less than 1 kg) may cause the
gestational age. They are: (1) Late Pre-term i.e., 32-37 weeks,
baby to die, so it is necessary to follow the changes in the
(2) Very Pre-term i.e., 28-32 weeks and (3) extremely Pre-
child's weight by measuring his weight between the period and
term i.e., < 28 weeks. The pre-term birth is the major reason
another. Also, the skin temperature often results in huge
for the death of children below 5 years and their mortality
fluctuations in the air temperature inside the incubator and the
rates increase every year in underdeveloped environments.
air temperature causes fluctuations in the skin temperature. So,
The preterm birth can be prevented by providing steroid
it is a big question mark whether the air temperature and the
injections or antibiotics and essential care for the newborns.
skin temperature can be controlled simultaneously.
B. Literature Survey:
D. Scope of the Study:
E. Aims and Objectives: depended on in the design and be sure it can provide us with
the demands of monitoring and controlling. The second part is
related to the hardware and design of the circuit and to test it
The main aim of this thesis is to design an infant
experimentally. Finally, the third part contains the Application
incubator, to measure the weight, heart rate, temperature and
side and connects it with the design and records the
humidity of the baby internally for that it proposed an
temperature, humidity, sound, and weight values in the
automated system for monitoring and controlling this
database. Heartbeats values are displayed as a graph in the
environment (temperature) and designed a monitoring system
application.
by using an application.
the Temperature and Humidity sensor (DHT11) for sensing the the sensor's voltage requirements. Connect the GND pin of the
temperature and the humidity in the surroundings of the heart pulse sensor to the GND pin of the Arduino Uno.
neonate, the Pulse rate sensor to record the heart rate of the Connect the OUT pin of the heart pulse sensor to one of the
infant, the Gas Sensor to sense the additional gas leakage and analog input pins (e.g., A0) of the Arduino Uno. Moisture
the Light sensor to capture the extra light penetration. Sensor: Connect the VCC pin of the moisture sensor to the 5V
Additionally, the IoT Module (ESP8266) is used for pin of the Arduino Uno. Connect the GND pin of the moisture
transmitting the recorded or sensed data wirelessly which are sensor to the GND pin of the Arduino Uno. Connect the A0
to be uploaded to the Think Speak platform, which is an open- pin of the moisture sensor to one of the analog input pins (e.g.,
source IoT and Application Programming Interface that is used A1) of the Arduino Uno. Temperature Sensor (e.g., DHT11 or
to store and retrieve the data from sensors which are then DHT22): Connect the VCC pin of the temperature sensor to
transferred to the receiver's device and an LCD is also the 5V pin of the Arduino Uno. Connect the GND pin of the
connected to the microcontroller to display the recorded temperature sensor to the GND pin of the Arduino Uno.
signals near the incubator for monitoring. Connect the data pin of the temperature sensor to one of the
The proposed neonatal incubator design consists of 3 digital pins (e.g., D2) of the Arduino Uno. Fan: Connect the
sections namely, the terminal device, the network protocols, VCC or Vin pin of the fan to a digital pin (e.g., D3) of the
and the monitoring and control of the neonates. The various Arduino Uno. Connect the GND pin of the fan to the GND pin
sensors connected are used for monitoring and controlling the of the Arduino Uno. IoT Connectivity (ESP8266 or ESP32):
incubator via IoT. The Arduino microcontroller is programmed Connect the VCC pin of the Wi-Fi module to the 3.3V or 5V
in such a way as to get the output of these sensors and display pin of the Arduino Uno. Connect the GND pin of the Wi-Fi
it on the LCD for monitoring purposes. The values of the module to the GND pin of the Arduino Uno. Connect the TX
sensors are then uploaded in the Think Speak cloud to display pin of the Wi-Fi module to the RX pin (pin 0) of the Arduino
on the wireless device on the receiver side, which is then used Uno. Connect the RX pin of the Wi-Fi module to the TX pin
for enabling the control of the incubator environment. (pin 1) of the Arduino Uno.
Communication between Arduino Uno and IoT module:
Connect the Arduino Uno's Reset (RST) pin to the Reset
(RST) pin of the IoT module. This connection allows the
Arduino Uno to reset the IoT module programmatically.
Control Logic: The Arduino code will implement the control
logic based on the sensor readings. For example: If the
temperature is too low, the Arduino will activate the fan to
increase the temperature inside the incubator. If the heart pulse
sensor detects abnormal heart rate, the Arduino can trigger
alerts or notifications. If the moisture sensor detects low
humidity, the Arduino can activate a humidifier or notify the
user. Power Source: Connect the positive terminal of the
power source (e.g., battery or power adapter) to the VCC and
Vin pins of the Arduino Uno and other components as
required. Connect the negative terminal of the power source to
the GND pins of the Arduino Uno and other components.
Remember to check the voltage and current requirements of
Fig.2- Circuit diagram of the Infant Incubator Monitoring each component to ensure that they are compatible with the
The circuit connection of the system is as follows: Arduino power source and the Arduino Uno. Additionally, consider
Uno: Connect the 5V pin of the Arduino Uno to the positive using proper voltage level shifters or level converters if needed
terminal of the power source (e.g., USB or an external power
supply). Connect the GND pin of the Arduino Uno to the
negative terminal of the power source. Heart Pulse Sensor
(Heart Rate Monitor): Connect the VCC pin of the heart pulse
sensor to the 3.3V or 5V pin of the Arduino Uno, depending on
to match the voltage levels between components that operate at the A0 analog input pin. The moisture sensor measures the
different voltages. humidity level inside the incubator and sends an analog signal
to the Arduino Uno through the A1 analog input pin. The
C. Flow Chart: temperature sensor measures the ambient temperature inside
the incubator and sends digital data to the Arduino Uno
through the D2 digital input/output pin.
The Arduino Uno continuously reads the sensor data
from the heart pulse, moisture, and temperature sensors.
Based on the sensor readings, the Arduino Uno implements
the control logic to maintain the desired environment for the
baby. For example, if the temperature is too low, the Arduino
activates the fan to increase the temperature. If the
temperature is too high, the fan can be turned off, or a cooling
mechanism can be activated. If the heart pulse sensor detects
an abnormal heart rate, the Arduino can trigger an alarm or
send notifications to caregivers or medical professionals
through IoT connectivity. The fan is used for temperature
regulation inside the incubator. The Arduino controls the fan
based on the temperature readings. The fan may be turned on
or off as needed to maintain the desired temperature. The
Arduino Uno is equipped with an ESP8266 or ESP32 Wi-Fi
module for IoT connectivity. The Arduino sends the sensor
data (temperature, heart rate, and humidity) and other relevant
information (such as system status) to a cloud-based IoT
platform via Wi-Fi. The cloud-based IoT platform receives the
data sent by the Arduino Uno. The received data is processed
Fig.3- System Operation Flowchart and stored on the IoT platform's servers, allowing remote
access and monitoring.
The system is clarified using the flowchart; it illustrates Caregivers, medical professionals, or parents can
comparing the set values with the acquiring values as shown in access the IoT platform remotely through a web interface or
Fig.1. First get the values of the incubator storage parameters mobile app. They can monitor real-time sensor data, including
from the sensor and upload these values into the database unit the baby's heart rate, temperature, and humidity levels. The
to compare with acquiring values. If the temperature is greater IoT platform can be configured to send alerts or notifications
than the acquired temperature the Arduino sends a signal to run in case of abnormal sensor readings or critical conditions
the fan. If the baby cries then the Arduino sends a signal to run inside the incubator, ensuring timely response and appropriate
the stepper motor to swing the incubator. If the infant's heart action. The Arduino Uno and sensors are powered by a stable
pulse is normal the Arduino sends a signal to run the buzzer. power source, such as a battery or an external power adapter.
Power management strategies, like sleep modes, can be
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION implemented to conserve energy when the system is idle or
when sensor readings are not required frequently.
Overall, the IoT-based baby incubator with Arduino
A. Results: Uno and various sensors provides a safe and controlled
environment for the baby while enabling remote monitoring
The working of the IoT-based baby incubator with and alerts for caregivers and medical professionals. The
Arduino Uno, heart pulse sensor, moisture sensor, temperature
sensor, and fan involves creating a controlled environment for
a baby by monitoring vital parameters, maintaining the right
conditions, and enabling remote monitoring through IoT
connectivity. Here's a step-by-step explanation of its working:
The heart pulse sensor continuously measures the baby's heart
rate and sends the analog signal to the Arduino Uno through
system's ability to monitor vital parameters and maintain ideal professionals to analyze trends, identify patterns, and make
conditions can be critical in ensuring the baby's well-being informed decisions for improved care.
during their time in the incubator. The designed infant Reduced Human Errors: The automation provided by the
incubator is shown in figure 4 IoT-based incubator reduces the chances of human errors in
maintaining the baby's environment. Scalability and
Connectivity: The IoT platform enables multiple incubators
to be connected, making it suitable for larger healthcare
facilities or remote monitoring networks. Cost-effectiveness:
Compared to traditional, manual incubators, the IoT-based
system offers a cost-effective solution with enhanced
functionalities.
C. Applications:
goes high. Humidity measure values also help in detecting of sensors, can offer a more comprehensive view of the baby's
having internal problems like cold, and dehydration. health. Smart Alarms and Notifications: Implementing smart
Continuous heartbeat monitoring helps to detect any kind of alarm systems that use gentle sounds or vibrations to alert
cardiovascular disorder in the infant. It also helps to detect caregivers of any changes or critical situations, reducing noise
arrhythmia or irregular heartbeats. But if the temperature disturbances for newborns. Wireless Sensor Networks:
inside the incubator is loose due to the atmosphere or any Expanding the system to support wireless sensor networks can
other problems, the heating pad will turn on automatically. reduce the need for physical wiring, enabling greater
The IoT-based baby incubator with Arduino Uno, heart flexibility in incubator design and placement.
pulse sensor, moisture sensor, temperature sensor, and fan Energy Efficiency: Implementing energy-saving
represents a significant advancement in neonatal care. It techniques and power management strategies to optimize the
combines smart sensing, automatic control, and IoT system's energy consumption and extend battery life in case of
connectivity to create a safe and monitored environment for power outages. Customizable Incubator Settings: Allowing
newborns, especially premature or medically fragile infants. caregivers to adjust incubator settings remotely through the
The system's ability to continuously monitor vital parameters, IoT platform based on the baby's needs or medical
maintain optimal conditions, and provide remote access to requirements
caregivers and medical professionals enhances the quality of
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