An Improved Smartphone Heart Rate Acquisition System

Abstract

Increased exposure to smartphones is further promoting the adoption of mobile devices in many industries, especially in healthcare systems. This technological growth allows transferring hospital-based care services to one’s use for personal care. The use of mobile devices aiding in healthcare services is greater than ever before. The worldwide mobile health market revenue is expected to reach about U.S. $23 billion by 2017. Recent studies have shown that using telemonitoring devices, including cellular phones, paired with patient feedback, has had a significant impact on the efficiency of care and quality of life, while also decreasing re-hospitalization rates. This trend is made possible because of current cellular phone technological advancements: Reliable high-speed data transmission aptitudes and embedded microprocessors (e.g., Bluetooth, ANT) with the capability to wirelessly connect to external devices are now available. Current cell phones have several advantages over computers (desktop, laptop) in telemonitoring-related applications such as mobile health or mHealth. For example, mobile healthcare systems can help support and provide care to patients despite geographical limitations. Current cell phones can help patients manage cardiovascular diseases and other illnesses. Home telemonitoring applications include heartfailure management that encompasses the use of communication technologies to monitor several key physiological parameters, such as heart rate (HR) and HR variability. Mobile-based medical devices provide a fast and inexpensive solution for periodic recording of biomedical signals such as electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) signals, respiratory parameters, and glucose analysis. For instance, AliveCor developed a simple FDA-approved mobile-phone-customized ECG that opened new frontiers for data collection in cardiology.