A Body Area Network (BAN), Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) or Body sensor network (BSN) are terms used to describe the application of wearable computing devices.[1][2][3] This will enable wireless communication between several miniaturized Body Sensor Units (BSU) and a single Body Central Unit (BCU) worn at the human body.[4][5] The development of WBAN technology started around 1995 by considering wireless personal area network (WPAN) technologies for communications on, near and around the human body. Later around 2001, this application of WPAN has been named as body area network (BAN) to represent the communications on, in and near the body only.[6][7] A WBAN system can use WPAN wireless technologies as gateways to reach longer ranges.

The rapid growth in physiological sensors, low power integrated circuits and wireless communication has enabled a new generation of wireless sensor networks. These wireless sensor networks are used to monitor traffic, crops, infrastructure and health. The Body Area Network field is an interdisciplinary area which could allow inexpensive and continuous health monitoring with real-time updates of medical records via Internet. A number of intelligent physiological sensors can be integrated into a wearable wireless body area network, which can be used for computer assisted rehabilitation or early detection of medical conditions. This area relies on the feasibility of implanting very small bio-sensors inside the human body that are comfortable and that don’t impair normal activities. The implanted sensors in the human body will collect various physiological changes in order to monitor the patient’s health status no matter their location. The information will be transmitted wirelessly to an external processing unit. This device will instantly transmit all information in real time to the doctors throughout the world. If an emergency is detected, the physicians will immediately inform the patient through the computer system by sending appropriate messages or alarms. Currently the level of information provided and energy resources capable of powering the sensors are limiting. While the technology is still in its primitive stage it is being widely researched and once adopted, is expected to be a breakthrough invention in healthcare, leading to concepts like telemedicine and mHealth becoming real.

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