Simple Optical Heart Rate Monitor

Here is the report of the experiment and some observations.

Team members

Yang Meng Ting

Idea

Photoplethysmography (PPG) is a non-invasive optical technique commonly employed in commercial wearables and pulse oximeters to monitor heart rate and blood oxygen saturation. The primary goal of this project is to replicate the foundational principles of PPG using a simple, do-it-yourself (DIY) approach. By constructing our own optical heart rate monitor, we aim to gain a deeper understanding of how PPG technology functions and to explore its applications and limitations in a more accessible and educational manner. This initiative not only facilitates hands-on learning but also encourages innovation and experimentation with optical sensor technology, potentially leading to novel applications and enhancements in personal health monitoring.

Mechanism

The simple optical heart rate monitor functions based on the principle of photoplethysmography (PPG). This technique utilizes a light source (an LED) and a photodetector to measure subtle changes in blood volume within tissue. The LED illuminates the fingertip or earlobe, and the photodetector measures the amount of light that passes through. As the heart beats, the volume of blood in the illuminated area changes, influencing the amount of light reaching the photodetector. These fluctuations in light intensity are analyzed by a microcontroller to calculate the heart rate in beats per minute (BPM).

Photosensor and LED

Photoplethysmography (PPG)

Setup

Equipment

Component List: Pulse Sensor An ear clip Arduino Uno (microcontroller) Jumper wires and cables 16X2 I2C LCD Display

All the components

Circuit Overview

Circuit

Assembled devices

Software

1. Arduino IDE

2. Processing

Measurements

Procedure

1. Assemble the pulse sensor, arduino UNO and LCD display with jumper wires.

2. Connect it with computer/laptop.

3. Upload the code to Arduino in order to detect the pulse signal.

4. First using Arduino IDE serial plotter to observe the signal for testing.

5. After confirming everything worked well, now put the finger tip onto the pulse sensor for detection.

6. Observe and record the signal and BPM(beats per minute).

7. Change detection position to earlobe.

8. Observe and record the signal and BPM values.

Expected Results

1. A pulsatile waveform corresponding to the heartbeat in the raw data should be detected

2. DIfferent detection position should have the same BPM values and similar signal

3. Although the signals are similar, clarity and noise levels will vary

4. For BPM value, a typical resting heart rate for adults (aged 10 and above) is considered to be between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm).

Results

Heart Rate Variability

Observational data confirm that the BPM values recorded range from 65 to 80, aligning with the established normal resting heart rate for healthy adults. Additionally, emotional responses such as anger and laughter were observed to influence the BPM, indicative of the physiological impact of various emotional states on heart rate.

Impact of Emotional States on BPM

The experimentation highlighted that different emotional states significantly alter heart rate dynamics. For instance, moments of anger and laughter were consistently associated with increases in BPM, underscoring the sensitivity of the optical heart rate monitor to detect physiological responses driven by emotional changes.

Comparison of Signal Clarity: Earlobe vs. Fingertip

A key finding from the testing phase is the difference in signal clarity between two common measurement sites: the earlobe and the fingertip. The data revealed that the signal from the earlobe was substantially clearer and more consistent than that obtained from the fingertip. This can be attributed to the earlobe's reduced exposure to ambient light and potentially less physiological interference such as skin thickness and peripheral circulation issues, which are more pronounced in fingertips.

Due to the superior quality of the data obtained from the earlobe, all further detailed analyses and presentations of results utilize signals sourced from this location.

Conclusion

The results not only confirm the functionality and sensitivity of the DIY optical heart rate monitor but also enhance understanding of the practical applications of photoplethysmography (PPG) in detecting emotional and physiological changes. The findings regarding the optimal detection site pave the way for improved design and application of such devices in personal health monitoring.

Using LCD to show BPM values

Signals from the ear (using Processing)

Using Arduino serial plotter to detect BPM from the ear

Discussion

Observations on Fingertip vs. Earlobe Signal Quality

During experimentation, the hand-made optical pulse sensor demonstrated consistently clearer and more robust signals when used on the earlobe compared to fingertip readings. The earlobe waveforms exhibited greater amplitude and less noise interference.

Factors Influencing Signal Quality

• Physiological Differences: The earlobe may have a higher density of suitable blood vessels compared to the fingertip, leading to stronger variations in light absorption with each heartbeat. Additionally, thicker skin or calluses on the fingertips can diminish the sensor's signal.
• Ambient Light Interference: The fingertip is more exposed to ambient light, which could introduce increased noise into the sensor's readings compared to the less light-exposed earlobe environment.
• Sensor Pressure: Variations in pressure applied to the fingertip can significantly affect blood flow patterns and, therefore, the detected signal. Sensor placement on the earlobe might be naturally more consistent in terms of pressure.

Potential Strategies for Improving Fingertip Readings

• Sensor Placement Optimization: Extensive experimentation with different sensor positions along the fingertip is necessary to identify areas with the strongest signal.
• Pressure Adjustment: Examine the effect of varying sensor pressure on the fingertip. Both insufficient and excessive pressure can negatively impact the signal.
• Ambient Light Shielding: Develop a simple shield (e.g., cardboard or opaque tape) to reduce ambient light interference on the fingertip and sensor.
• Signal Processing: Implement filtering algorithms within the Arduino code (such as a moving average filter) to reduce noise and enhance signal clarity.

Potential Extensions: Emotional Impact and Lie Detection

Observations indicate that different emotions may affect the BPM values recorded by our optical heart rate monitor. This raises an interesting possibility of extending the use of the device beyond simple heart rate monitoring, potentially employing it in scenarios where emotional responses are relevant, such as lie detection. However, several key challenges must be considered:

• Specificity of Heart Rate Changes: Heart rate can be influenced by a variety of factors, including stress, anxiety, excitement, or physical activity, not just deceit. The non-specific nature of heart rate changes makes it unreliable as a sole indicator of lying.
• Complexity of Lie Detection: Reliable lie detection requires analysis of multiple physiological signals (e.g., skin conductivity, facial expression analysis) beyond just heart rate.
• Ethical Considerations: The use of biometric data for lie detection raises significant ethical concerns, particularly regarding privacy, consent, and the potential for misuse.

Therefore, while the notion of using the heart rate monitor as a part of a lie detection system is intriguing, further research and development would be required to assess its viability, accuracy, and ethical implications.