ApneaSafe - Rajasi Kolhatkar

Inspiration

During this pandemic, we are hearing a lot about oxygen levels and oximeters. I was curious to see in which other conditions oxygen levels would drop. I was shocked to note that sleep apnea affects 26 million people in the US and 1 billion people in the world and one of its symptoms is dropping oxygen levels which could be fatal. This problem of such global proportion and severity has no easy solution....yet! I am therefore working to create a product that will address this demand and provide an easy and affordable solution to sleep apnea patients.

What it does

Like a hearing aid/clip-on earring, it clasps the earlobe, where an SPO2 sensor detects the blood oxygen levels. Oxygen is better at an upright position so if it gets below the baseline, ApneaSafe alerts them with beeping/vibration so they know to sit-up. ApneaSafe provides an easy and affordable solution to sleep apnea.

How I built it

It is at an idea stage right now and ready to be prototyped!

Challenges I ran into

For this to work, the sensor has to fit on something that clasps your ear-lobe. The challenge was to come up with ideas for the sensor to be inserted into an object that is light and commonly used.

Accomplishments that I'm proud of

Previously, I have made a prototype for 'PlasticsBeGone' (a device to remove plastics from the ocean) and a raspberry pi-controlled moisture meter. I am excited to take this idea forward to prototype stage and further.

What I learned

I learned how sleep apnea is widely affected and for such a worldwide problem, there is no easy solution. I also learnt so much more about oxygen sensors and sleep apnea.