A system for remote monitoring of preeclampsia during pregnancy

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for detecting the presence and ratio of protein in urine by taking a urine sample in order to remotely control patients with a history of preeclampsia or risky expectant mothers by gynecology and obstetrics departments or family physicians in the health sector.

Description

[0001] A SYSTEM FOR REMOTE MONITORING OF PREECLAMPSIA DURING PREGNANCY

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a system for detecting the presence and ratio of protein in urine by taking a urine sample in order to remotely control patients with a history of preeclampsia or risky expectant mothers by gynecology and obstetrics departments or family physicians in the health sector.

[0004] Prior Art

[0005] Pregnancy intoxication, also called preeclampsia, is a serious condition that occurs during pregnancy and endangers the health of the mother and baby. In the detection of preeclampsia, the amount of protein loss is checked with a sample taken from urine. At the same time, mild, moderate and severe preeclampsia are differentiated based on the mother's blood pressure measurements. Preeclampsia is diagnosed if hypertension or abnormal protein loss in the urine is detected.

[0006] In the United States patent document numbered US20170098137A1, which is in the known state of the art, it is explained that the values of the individual can be analyzed by dropping a biological sample taken from the individual into the kit, then observing a color change on the kit and taking the image with a device with a camera. The document includes a test strip, display, keypad and urine analysis control solution.

[0007] In the International patent document numbered WO2019028196, which is in the known state of the art, a system and method developed to determine whether patients have preeclampsia is mentioned. The system provides the evaluation of the data by testing the urine sample taken from the patient in the apparatus. In addition, the system includes USB, display, keypad, wireless communication networks such as wifi-bluetooth, cloud and sensors.

[0008] A document published in 2020 titled "Congo red test for identification of preeclampsia: Results of a prospective diagnostic case-control study in Bangladesh and Mexico" describes a test strip used for the detection of preeclampsia. This test strip provides information about the disease by changing color according to the amount of protein in the urine. Japanese patent JP2003033356A, which is in the known state of the art, describes a device for a health check-up for a pregnant woman and its use in detecting the onset of preeclampsia. The device includes a section for measuring bioelectric resistance. The pregnant woman places her feet on the resistance measuring unit and the device calculates body water content and fat content based on the bioelectric resistance between both feet. Finally, the system makes a comparison with the values that should be normal according to the week of pregnancy.

[0009] The United States patent document US20150164404 Al in the known state of the art discloses a system and method in the form of a bandage for detecting preeclampsia in a patient. The preeclampsia detection system of the invention comprises at least one sensor and a processor.

[0010] The United States patent document US20150293115A1, which is in the known state of the art, discloses methods and kits for identifying subjects with misfolded proteins in their urine. The presence of misfolded proteins in a urine sample from a pregnant woman is an indicator of preeclampsia. The test strip in the invention changes color according to the amount of misfolded protein in the urine.

[0011] In the known state of the art, there is no system that detects the color differences that occur as a result of dropping the sample on the test strip with a color sensor and gives results about preeclampsia disease according to these differences. Therefore, there was a need to develop the system used in the diagnosis of preeclampsia.

[0012] Objectives of the Invention

[0013] The object of the present invention is to realize a preeclampsia diagnostic system that enables the mother during pregnancy to easily diagnose preeclampsia at home and to be regularly checked by the doctor remotely.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to realize a system for the diagnosis of preeclampsia, which enables regular monitoring of pregnant women's symptoms, psychologically and physically preparing them for possible complications and thus preventing life-threatening conditions for mother and baby before they reach the stage of eclampsia. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0015] The system for diagnosing preeclampsia realized to achieve the objects of the present invention is shown in the accompanying figures.

[0016] These figures;

[0017] Figure 1: Block diagram view of the system for diagnosing preeclampsia.

[0018] Figure 2: Schematic view of the four-layer architecture of the system.

[0019] The parts in the figures are individually numbered and the corresponding numbers are given below.

[0020] 1. Test strip

[0021] 2. Color sensor

[0022] 3. Microcomputer

[0023] 4. Development board

[0024] 5. LCD display

[0025] 6. Keypad

[0026] 7. On-off button

[0027] 8. USB port

[0028] 9. Electricity input

[0029] 10. Data collection layer

[0030] 11. Data processing and mining layer

[0031] 12. Cloud layer

[0032] 13. Network interface

[0033] The invention is a system that enables remote monitoring of preeclampsia during pregnancy; comprising

[0034] - a test strip (1) in the lower region of the system that produces a color change when a urine sample is dropped on it,

[0035] - color sensor (2) connected to the test strip (1) region, used to detect the color change of the test strip (1) to which a urine sample has been dropped,

[0036] - microcomputer (3) connected to the color sensor (2) that analyzes and processes the data and converts the results into symbols (+, ++, +++, -), - a development board (4), which is included in the system and enables wireless connection to the internet by means of its wifi feature, providing the system with the Internet of Things (loT) feature and enabling the processing, classification, analysis of the icons output from the microcomputer (3) and the presentation of recommendations in case of risk,

[0037] - an LCD display (5) in the upper area of the system that displays patients' results as icons (+, ++, +++, -) based on predetermined RGB (red-green-blue) values,

[0038] - a keypad (6) for manual data entry located below the LCD display (5),

[0039] - an on / off key (7) for turning on and off, located under the LCD display (5),

[0040] - a USB port (8) on the system used for data input,

[0041] - electricity input (9) located on the system.

[0042] Expectant mothers with a history of preeclampsia or at risk can use the preeclampsia diagnostic system to detect life-threatening conditions for mother and baby before the eclampsia stage. The user defines their own protein values and symptoms such as headache, visual impairment, edema, nausea, blood pressure and the doctor is constantly informed.

[0043] Healthy people have a small amount of protein in their urine. Over 24 hours, the amount of protein lost in the urine is less than about 150 mg. Proteinuria is diagnosed when the amount of protein in the urine exceeds 300 mg.

[0044] Preeclampsia, or pregnancy intoxication, is a syndrome characterized by hypertension and high levels of protein in the urine. This syndrome usually occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy with proteinuria and hypertension. This complication often leads to seizures and brain complications, known as eclampsia, which must be terminated by preeclampsia, abortion or caesarean section if the increased maternal blood pressure or proteinuria is not treated.

[0045] TCS34725 color sensor (2) and ARDUINO ESP8266 development board (4) were used to detect the color change of the test strip (1) on which the urine sample was dropped. The presence and proportion of protein in the urine sample is determined from the color change on the test strip (1). This is also an indication of the albumin content in the urine. In the designed system, the results of the patients based on predetermined RGB (red-green-blue) values are converted into (+, ++, +++, -) symbols on the LCD display (5). The designed system works with database logic. The test values read by the system and the blood pressure values entered manually by the doctor are sent to the doctor and / or the patient via a database over the internet. The doctor will be able to continuously control the patient remotely through the system. When the doctor sees an abnormality in the values, he / she can contact the patient. The system sends the received data to a system over a paired wi-fi connection. Using this system recommended by the health unit, each patient can define their own protein values and blood pressure measurements and inform their doctor about their condition.

[0046] In the working process of the system, the urine sample is first dropped using the test strip (1). Then, the color changes on the test strip (1) are expected to occur by waiting for 60 seconds. After the color changes occur, the test strip (1) is placed on the color sensor (2) module and the color variations are detected. The color variations detected by the color sensor (2) are then processed by a microcomputer (3) and converted into +++, ++, + or - symbols. These symbols are the symbolic representation of the values received from the color sensor (2) that detects red, green and blue colors. If no color is detected in any sensor, it is converted to - symbol. The data converted into symbols are displayed on the LCD display (5) on the system. By means of the development board (4), the system is connected to the internet and the system is provided with the internet of things feature. At the same time, the development board (4) enables the icons to be processed, classified, analyzed and recommendations to be presented to the patient in case of any risk. By connecting the system to the internet, the doctor can continuously monitor the analysis results remotely.

[0047] The developed system captures the health data of the pregnant woman and transfers the collected data to the fog and cloud server for analysis. The developed system has a layered architecture. This layered architecture includes four layers: data collection layer (10), data processing and mining layer (11), cloud layer (12) and network interface (13). Each layer fulfills a specific task and provides services to the next layer.

[0048] In the data collection layer (10), data about the health status of the pregnant woman is collected by utilizing the Internet of Things feature. The data collection layer (10) is realized by using different sensors specified with the microcomputer (3) according to the need and size.

[0049] The data collected from the data collection layer (10) is classified and risk assessed in the data processing and mining layer (11). Based on the risk assessment result, an alert is generated and a real-time recommendation is prepared. This layer contains an loT-based sensor that is responsible for capturing the individual's health data in real-time. In this layer, the data captured wirelessly from the data collection layer (10) using the ARDUINO ESP8266 development board (4) is analyzed in a real-time environment and processes the data for recommendations. This layer utilizes a powerful system capable of processing very large data in seconds.

[0050] The cloud layer (12) stores data collected in the data processing and mining layer (11). Data can be captured from this layer using apps anytime and anywhere. This layer allows doctors to analyze the data more deeply. The cloud layer (12) is a layer that can be used to design systems that include Internet of Things capabilities and can offer great functionality at low cost.

[0051] The network interface (13) enables the test result values read by the system to be sent to the doctor via a database on the internet. The system, which has the Internet of Things feature, works with database logic. When paired, data is transmitted to a system over a wi-fi connection.

[0052] The proposed system turns into a fog layer responsible for performing the task of information in the data processing and mining layer (11), i.e. this layer works in different steps:

[0053] 1) Classification of Data: This step is responsible for classifying the protein ratio. That is, it classifies the protein value as one, two and three positive or negative.

[0054] 2) Preeclampsia Risk Assessment: According to the stage classified in the previous step, the risk associated with the stage is determined in this step. Risk can be classified as normal condition, need for care and emergency. A notification can be created according to the risk.

[0055] 3) Real Time Advice: Real-time recommendations are provided to the pregnant woman and her family members so that severe health conditions or any health emergencies are not ignored and necessary steps can be taken.

[0056] After color changes are generated using urine sample on the test strip (1), the strip is placed on the color sensor (2) module and color differences are detected. The detected color differences are converted into symbols and displayed on the LCD display (5). The result is sent to the doctor by means of the Internet of Things feature of the system. Here, the system is connected to the wireless internet network and the data in the cloud system is continuously updated by means of the connection of the color sensor (2) with the server at the moment when the test strip (1) is placed on the color sensor (2) module.

[0057] In the developed system, Arduino UNO TCS34725 Color Pal color sensor (2) was used. ESP8266 NodeMCU Cp2102 V2 development board (4) containing ESP32-WROOM wifi and bluetooth module is used to process the data received from the color sensor (2) and to provide the system with the Internet of Things feature.

[0058] The advantages obtained with the developed system are listed below.

[0059] - By means of the developed system, a life-threatening situation for the mother and baby will be prevented before reaching the articulation stage.

[0060] - It reduces the need for the pregnant woman to go to the hospital and allows for easy testing at home.

[0061] - Prenatal pregnant women's symptoms will be monitored regularly and psychological and physical preparation against complications will be ensured.

[0062] - It will be ensured that the daily status of pregnant women with symptoms and signs of preeclampsia (values such as blood pressure, protein in the urine) are communicated to the doctor.

[0063] - The doctor will be able to continuously monitor the patient's condition.

[0064] - The doctor will be ensured to intervene in case of an emergency.

[0065] - It will allow continuous monitoring of the patient's health status.

[0066] - The system will reduce the number of hospitalizations and reduce hospital costs by means of testing in the home environment.

Claims

CLAIMS1. The invention is a system that enables remote monitoring of preeclampsia during pregnancy, comprising- a test strip (1) in the lower region of the system that produces a color change when a urine sample is dropped on it, characterized by comprising- a color sensor (2) connected to the test strip (1) region, used to detect the color change of the test strip (1) to which a urine sample has been dropped,- a microcomputer (3) connected to the color sensor (2) that analyzes and processes the data and converts the results into symbols (+, ++, +++, -),- a development board (4), which is included in the system and enables wireless connection to the internet by means of its wifi feature, providing the system with the Internet of Things (loT) feature and enabling the processing, classification, analysis of the icons output from the microcomputer (3) and the presentation of recommendations in case of risk,- an LCD display (5) in the upper area of the system that displays patients' results as icons (+, ++, +++, -) based on predetermined RGB (red-green-blue) values,- a keypad (6) for manual data entry located below the LCD display (5),- an on / off key (7) for turning on and off, located under the LCD display (5),- a USB port (8) on the system used for data input,- an electricity input (9) located on the system.

2. The invention is a system that enables remote monitoring of preeclampsia during pregnancy according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a four-layer architecture by means of its development board (4).

3. The invention is a system that enables remote monitoring of preeclampsia during pregnancy according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising a data collection layer (10), a data processing and mining layer (11), a cloud layer (12), and a network interface (13) in a four-layer architecture.

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