HeatBeat - Thermal Cardiovascular Screening Prototype

Inspiration

Cardiovascular screening can be difficult to access frequently. HeatBeat began with a question: could a compact device capture useful thermal-response information and make it easier to visualize through a consumer-friendly interface?

What it does

HeatBeat is a handheld prototype exploring thermal measurements as a potential indicator of vascular response. The 2026 project presentation describes a brief fingertip thermal stimulus followed by sensing and a companion app that presents results and related educational features. These were prototype functions and intended workflows, not clinically proven diagnostic capabilities.

How I built it

We modeled the handheld enclosure, 3D-printed a housing, planned the placement of thermal sensors, and integrated electronics with a mobile app experience. The presentation identifies an ESP32, a thermal-stimulation module, thermal sensors, and rechargeable power components. The public project description instead describes MLX90614 infrared sensors, an Arduino-based controller, and Onshape. The final build details need to be reconciled before publication.

Challenges I ran into

Our central design challenge was making the sensing process repeatable: sensor-to-skin positioning, compact electronics and a clear user flow all affect whether measurements can be interpreted. The project was recognized at HOSA regional and state competitions, according to my public project profile.

What's next for HeatBeat - Thermal Cardiovascular Screening Prototype

Document the exact final components, publish the measured prototype output and evaluate repeatability under controlled conditions. Clinical validation would be required before using the device for diagnosis.

Built With

• 3d-printing
• biomedical
• engineering
• esp32
• hardware-prototyping
• microcontrollers
• mobile-app
• onshape
• solidworks
• thermal-sensors