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ECE 191 - Project W

Heart Rate Monitor

Mentor: Chuck Pateros

Members: Michelle Gaitan

Andres Hanau

Salena Hontz

Breanna Leahey

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Sponsored by EvoNexus

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Background

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  • Chuck Pateros: Chief Technologist at EvoNexus
    • Former member of technical staff at ViaSat
    • 18 U.S. Patents�
  • EvoNexus: A nonprofit technology incubator in San Diego
    • Supports the growth and success of startup companies

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Motivation

  • ~2.7 million Americans living with Atrial Fibrillation
  • Abnormal heart rhythm characterized by rapid and irregular beating
  • Low-power health sensors are becoming widely available

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Electrocardiogram (ECG)

  • A test that measures the electrical activity of the heart�
  • With each beat, an electrical pulse travels through the heart
    • Causes heart muscle to contract and pump blood�
  • Extremely useful in determining whether a heart rhythm is normal/abnormal

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Placement of ECG Sensors

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Goal

  • Create a small, wearable device + website that displays results
    • Interface Raspberry Pi Zero W with sensor
    • Ensure it’s comfortable enough to wear during sleep (~8 hours)
    • Noninvasive

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Statement of Work

  • Task 1 – Choose a sensor to interface with Raspberry Pi Zero W.
  • Task 2 – Power device with a rechargeable battery.

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  • Task 3 – Design PCB and solder all components to the board.

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  • Task 4 – Display results on a website.

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  • Task 5 – Create a compact enclosure.

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Process

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Circuit Design

  • Hardware connections between the Raspberry Pi Zero W, sensor, and other components�
  • Initially implemented on solderless breadboard
    • Bulky, lots of wires�
  • Designed a printed circuit board (PCB)
    • Smaller, more compact

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Fritzting Design

PCB Design

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High-Level Software Flowchart

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Data From Sensor

Database

Heroku API Retrieves Data

User Interface/

Chart

Clear Data

Request New Data

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Website

  • Fully-functional, easy-to-use website�
  • Displays ECG readings in real time, as well as past ~8 hour readings �
  • Able to zoom into specific time frames

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Website Screenshot

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Final Product

  • Circuit is housed in a compact, durable acrylic box�
  • Noninvasive necklace design that user can wear while sleeping �
  • People living with Atrial Fibrillation will be able to safely monitor their heartbeat during irregular episodes

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Acrylic Box + Final Product

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Summary

  • Successfully created a working prototype of a portable and rechargeable heart rate monitor + website�
  • Future Goals:
    • Include body temperature and blood pressure sensors
    • Add alerts to notify both the user and their doctor during times of abnormal heart episodes
    • Optimize the design and the website user interface

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Beat to My Heart

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Demo

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