Inspiration
Monitoring respiration rate is key vital sign in COVID-19. Respiration rate is increased in this disease. There is no easy way to monitor large populations in home care, emergency rooms, hospital wards while also protecting health care personnel.
What it does
We measured respiration using disposable surgical mask while protecting medical personnel. Measurement is based on temperature difference of inhale and exhale air. Measurement is done using commercial wireless, low cost Movesense sensor connected to accurate 1-Wire temperature sensor. Respiration rate is transmitted over Bluetooth and visualized with sensor LED.
How I built it
We used programmable, wireless Movesense sensor. It is fully waterproof and can be connected to sensitive 1-Wire temperature sensor. Combining these together we have respiration sensor within face mask. Based on temperature difference between inhale and exhale air we can monitor respiration and calculate respiration rate.
We wanted to make the system easy to use. You simple start wearing the mask and respiration is visualized with red LED. This enables monitoring over video without any additional setup or software. In addition to this automatic visualization the respiration rate is also send over Bluetooth. We use standard Bluetooth heart rate protocol enabling use of various existing software on Windows, iOS, Android, or even in fitness watches.
In end of video demonstration: first slow breathing and then faster. Notice the LED blinking slightly after inhale starts and corresponding respiration rate displayed on smartphone.
Challenges I ran into
There are currently limited availability of used Maxim 1-Wire 1.8 V temperature sensor.
Accomplishments that I'm proud of
Providing visualization without any additional setup, software making system extremely easy to use.
What I learned
This wireless, low cost respiration sensor can help to monitor suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases.
What's next for Respiration sensor
Respiration sensor was first planned with different approach in #hacthecrisisfin https://app.hackjunction.com/projects/hack-the-crisis-finland/view/5e75281f09429f0049bcd539.
With fast prototyping using https://www.movesense.com and 1-Wire temperature sensor https://www.movesense.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Movesense-Meetup-03-12-2019-1-wire-temp-sensor-update.pdf current approach was chosen.
Currently in discussion with local hospital https://www.hus.fi/en/about-hus/ and different funding organizations.
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