A Wearable Wrist-Based Pulse Oximetry for Monitoring Cardiac Activities—A Pilot Study

Abstract

Pulse oximetry is a method of determining the oxygen saturation in the arterial blood by placing the sensor on the finger, toe, wrist or ear lobe of the subject and acts as an indicator of overall health. This research study attempts to propose a wearable wristwatch-based pulse oximeter for monitoring cardiac activities. Typical physiological parameters such as heart rate and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were estimated through laboratory-based first-level experimental settings. The pulse oximeter sensor with the real-time processor, ATmega328p was embedded into a wristwatch, and through Bluetooth mechanism, one can see the result of activities on a mobile phone or on a laptop. The use of MAXREFDES117# sensor provides an added advantage compared to the available sensors in the market with an integrated, level translator and power converter. The proposed study confirms the suitability for real-time monitoring of cardiac activities and resulted in a low-cost, user-friendly and low complex device design.