Project Hub /Healthcare Biomedical & Assistive/Pulse Oximeter & Vital Scanner/Smart Ward Assistant: Low-Cost Patient Monitoring System

Intermediate

ESP32

₹1,500 – ₹5,000

3 – 6 Hours

Partial Kit

Smart Ward Assistant: Low-Cost Patient Monitoring System

A low-cost, scalable patient monitoring system using ESP32 that tracks vital signs like Heart Rate and SpO2 using wearable tags and transmits them to a centralized nurse station hub.

Originally published on CircuitDigest

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

ESP32-C3 Development Board with Berg Pins - Unsoldered Rs. 390.00
1200mAh 18650 Li-ion Bat – Reliable 3.7V Power Cell Rs. 129.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

We don't carry yet: Bio / Health Sensor (GSR / ECG / breathing)
Battery Charger Module TP4056
SD Card Module
Speaker / Audio Amplifier
Custom PCB / PCB Fab
Enclosure / Box / Case
protection module

Browse all components

How It Works

The Smart Ward Assistant functions as a decentralized, low-cost patient monitoring node designed to track crucial vital signs continuously. At the core of the wearable or bedside unit is the ESP32-S3-BOX-3 microcontroller, which coordinates data acquisition and wireless communication. Vital signs such as heart rate and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) are captured optically using the MAXREFDES117 Bio-Sensor, which interfaces with the microcontroller to read photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals. Once processed by the ESP32, this health data can be logged locally onto an SD card module for offline record-keeping and data redundancy, or transmitted wirelessly to a centralized nurse station hub for real-time observation. If an anomaly is detected and an optional external speaker is integrated, the system can trigger localized auditory alerts. Powering the entire mobile assembly is a 3.7V Li-Po battery, ensuring uninterrupted monitoring during patient transport or power fluctuations. To maintain system reliability and user safety, the battery is managed by a TP4056 charging and protection module, which guards against overcharging, over-discharging, and short circuits while allowing safe recharging via standard USB power.

Why Build This

Design scalable biomedical IoT architectures suitable for resource-constrained rural primary health centers and hospitals.

Implement reliable remote patient telemetry to alert nursing staff instantly during critical medical emergencies.

Integrate optical biosensors with low-power microcontrollers to build functional, wearable health-monitoring hardware prototypes.

Real-World Application

Rural primary health centers and hospitals to continuously track patient vitals remotely and alert staff instantly during emergencies.

Skills You'll Learn

Biomedical sensor interfacing

optical PPG signal acquisition

wireless telemetry

battery management systems

local data logging with SD cards

Safety Precautions

Ensure proper handling of Li-Po batteries and use the TP4056 module for safe battery charging and protection.

Technology Tags

ESP32

MAXREFDES117

IOT

HEALTHCARE

WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY

SPO2

HEART RATE SENSOR

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION

DATA LOGGING

TP4056

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the MAXREFDES117 measure heart rate and SpO2?

It uses optical pulse oximetry, shining LEDs into the skin and measuring the reflected light to detect blood volume changes driven by the cardiac cycle.

Can the system operate independently without a network connection?

Yes, health metrics can be continuously recorded and stored locally using the onboard SD Card Module even if the wireless transmission to the central hub is temporarily interrupted.

Why is the TP4056 module necessary for the 3.7V Li-Po battery?

The TP4056 provides essential circuit protection and regulated charging parameters, preventing dangerous conditions like overcharging, deep discharge, and thermal runaway typical of lithium polymer cells.

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

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