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Five students from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) have developed an innovative device called ARTERI, which integrates digital technology with medical needs. This device is designed to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of therapy for stroke patients by utilising a mobile application that incorporates oxygen saturation and blood pressure monitoring.
The development of ARTERI began out of concern for the limitations in monitoring stroke patients, especially in terms of monitoring oxygen saturation and blood pressure, which have traditionally relied on specialised medical equipment available only in healthcare facilities. Angelia Grace, a Biomedical Engineering student at UGM, explained that issues such as limited time, the need for patient accompaniment to physiotherapists, and the high cost of physiotherapy motivated the team to find a more effective and efficient solution.
“Currently, stroke therapy evaluation often relies on therapists’ subjective observations and visual assessments. We felt a need for a more objective and measurable evaluation method,” said Angelia. With a device integrated with a mobile application, therapy data can be obtained in real time, aiding medical personnel and patients in the evaluation and treatment process.
The team that developed ARTERI consists of five UGM students: Angelia Grace (Biomedical Engineering), Bayu Ari Wandyka, Ferhad Zulfas (Instrumentation and Control Engineering Technology), Novy Pratama Andriani (Heavy Equipment Management and Maintenance Engineering), and Ganang Fattahuddien Attar (Medicine). They were guided by Ir Maun Budiyanto, ST, MT.
Ganang explained that ARTERI utilises oxygen saturation and blood pressure monitoring because these indicators are crucial for managing stroke. Oxygen saturation reflects the adequacy of oxygen in the body, which is vital for brain survival, while high blood pressure can trigger the rupture of blood vessels in the brain.
“The relationship between blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and stroke is very close. Reduced oxygen supply can cause hypoxia, which is dangerous for brain tissue, especially in ischemic stroke patients,” explained Ganang. Therefore, monitoring these two indicators is essential to prevent more severe complications.
Ferhad explained that ARTERI was made using various technological components, such as a NodeMCU ESP32, a MAX30100 sensor for measuring oxygen saturation, an MPX 2050 sensor for blood pressure, and various other components integrated through the Internet of Things (IoT).
Moreover, Bayu added that the device operates by activating therapy commands through the ARTERI mobile application, which then moves the servo according to specific settings. Data obtained from these sensors are sent to a cloud server, allowing access via a laptop or smartphone. The ARTERI application features test results, progress graphs, tutorial videos, medical records, and settings.
“With ARTERI, we are optimistic that we are able to help the community monitor and enhance the effectiveness of stroke therapy, allowing for more personalised and adaptive care based on individual patient responses,” said Bayu.
Novy stated that this innovation makes a tangible contribution to stroke treatment and supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3 on good health and well-being. “With ARTERI, we hope to promote the further use of technology in healthcare,” she said.
Improving the user experience is another critical focus for the ARTERI team. By developing a more intuitive and user-friendly interface for the mobile application, they aim to make ARTERI accessible to a broader audience, including elderly patients who may not be tech-savvy.
The ARTERI device is envisioned to become an effective solution in handling stroke patients, reducing treatment costs, and improving patients’ quality of life through more advanced and integrated monitoring. This innovation also demonstrates the significant potential of digital technology in addressing health issues and can inspire the future development of healthcare technology.
