Active heart rate wrist monitor technology- Without using a chest strap

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the search for commercial wrist-based heart rate monitors that can actively sense pulse rates without the need for a chest strap or finger contact. Participants explore various technologies and their feasibility for continuous heart rate monitoring, particularly in contexts where hands are engaged in tasks.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about existing commercial products that can actively sense heart rates through direct wrist contact, as opposed to using finger sensors.
  • One participant suggests the use of fetal heart rate monitors and questions their applicability in wrist-based devices.
  • Another participant mentions the Mio watch, which uses electrical sensors to measure ECG signals.
  • There is a discussion about the impracticality of directing ultrasonic pulses from the wrist to the heart, with some proposing alternative methods of using wrist anatomy to detect pulse through blood flow fluctuations.
  • Participants express concerns about the accuracy of wrist monitors compared to chest strap monitors, questioning the rationale for preferring wrist-based solutions.
  • One participant outlines a specific application for a wrist monitor to detect when a user is about to fall asleep, emphasizing the need for continuous skin contact.
  • Another participant seeks wireless transmission capabilities for heart rate data to a computer, indicating a desire for broader applications beyond fitness.
  • Some participants mention existing products that meet the criteria for continuous heart rate monitoring without chest straps, while noting potential accuracy issues.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of interest in wrist-based heart rate monitors and skepticism regarding their accuracy compared to chest strap models. There is no consensus on the best approach or existing technology that meets all specified needs.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the potential inaccuracy of wrist monitors during strenuous activities and the narrow focus of current products on the sports and fitness market. The discussion also highlights the challenge of detecting sleep onset accurately with pulse monitoring.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in wearable health technology, researchers exploring heart rate monitoring applications, and developers looking for innovative solutions in health monitoring may find this discussion relevant.

taylaron
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Greetings.
I've been looking for commercial products that are capable of actively sensing the user's heart pulse rate while attached to their wrist. No additional chest strap monitor, etc... included.

Unlike all wrist-located heart monitors I've found online, I'm looking for one that can actively sense the user's pulse through direct contact with the wrist, opposed to pressing your finger against an on board sensor.

Does anybody know of existing commercial technology allowing wrist-based active heart monitors?

Regards,
-Taylaron
 
Biology news on Phys.org
Why can't a Fetal heart rate monitor, which senses changes in frequency and amplitude after transmitting ultrasonic pulses be used in a heat monitoring wrist watch?

I found a good description of a FHR here: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/what-is-a-fetal-doppler-and-how-does-it-work.html
 
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Check the Mio watch.

www.miowatch.com[/URL]

It uses electrical sensors to measure your ECG signal.
 
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Perfect! Thank you very much bPositive
 
Google for cardio training heart rate monitor. Plenty of models, Mio included.

You can't easily direct ultrasonic pulses from the wrist to the heart.
 
Borek said:
You can't easily direct ultrasonic pulses from the wrist to the heart.

I agree that transmission from the wrist to the heart is impractical for this purpose. But I'm not focusing on getting the pulse directly from the heart. I was more focused on (hah, literally..) using the wrist's cross section profile. I would like to send pulses from one side of your wrist to the other side. The wrist-band's transducer would send waves that pass through the larger blood veins located directly above the wrist's bottom sensor. Fluctuations in blood pressure from the heart beats and the subsequent flow in the surrounding tissue would, I presume, be observed in the traveling waves through the wrist.

-Tay
 
taylaron said:
Greetings.
I've been looking for commercial products that are capable of actively sensing the user's heart pulse rate while attached to their wrist. No additional chest strap monitor, etc... included.

Unlike all wrist-located heart monitors I've found online, I'm looking for one that can actively sense the user's pulse through direct contact with the wrist, opposed to pressing your finger against an on board sensor.

Does anybody know of existing commercial technology allowing wrist-based active heart monitors?

Regards,
-Taylaron


Look at: http://www.smarthealthusa.com/about.asp .
Jean Luc
 
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jeanlucl said:
Look at: http://www.smarthealthusa.com/about.asp .
Jean Luc

Thanks Jean!
 
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  • #10
Evo said:
Pulse monitors on the wrist are not as good as those that have chest straps, why would you want one?

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...h/heartrate-monitors/16601921001/13455879001/

I want to use the wrist-bound heart rate monitor to easily and conveniently measure a user's heart rate while data is sent to a computer via a USB cable. The computer analyzes the pulse rate and when the pulse rate drops below a set (adjustable) BPM the computer initiates a sequence that tells the computer program when the user is asleep.

I don't want a chest-strap because it's far too cumbersome... I also don't want to use a fingernail-type sensor because the user will be using their hands to complete a task.

-Tay
 
  • #11
taylaron said:
I want to use the wrist-bound heart rate monitor to easily and conveniently measure a user's heart rate while data is sent to a computer via a USB cable. The computer analyzes the pulse rate and when the pulse rate drops below a set (adjustable) BPM the computer initiates a sequence that tells the computer program when the user is asleep.

I don't want a chest-strap because it's far too cumbersome... I also don't want to use a fingernail-type sensor because the user will be using their hands to complete a task.

-Tay
So the person is tethered to a computer with a USB cord? I would think pulse rate would not be a very good indicator of sleep.
 
  • #12
I agree with you Evo, but I'm having difficulty finding another suitable solution.
Specifically*, I need to be able to quickly and easily detect whither or not a person is about to fall asleep. For instance, I'm at work on my computer and its the middle of the night and I'm about to fall asleep at my desk. I want the computer to wake me up again as soon as it knows I'm about to fall asleep. That is the challenge.

I need contact with the person's skin for the remainder of the experiment. Since I'm already in contact with the person's skin I thought a wrist-based HRM would be a simple solution. I can't use a finger nail mounted HRM because it would interfere with computer typing or hand writing.

I realize my goal is a bit, well, strange. But it's final application I would like to patent and sell.

Thanks for your input!

-Tay
 
  • #13
Hi,

Any development since? I'm looking for a similar product, both for research and potential app development. I need it to transmit wirelessly to a pc or system, as chest straps transmit to wrist displays. "Better" rather depends on the context in which the sensor is being used. Current products seem to have a very narrow focus on the sports and fitness market.

Cathy
 
  • #14
Hi,

What did you use in the end for this task? I have exactly the same problem.
Currently using index finger monitors that get in the way of a task that the user needs to complete.

There must be a product out there!?

CW
 
  • #15
Yes, such technology exists. It looks like you're looking for a continuous reading (don't need to touch with fingers) of the heart rate without a chest strap. They are rare, but they do exist. If you want a device (iPhone) to read it out, I'd probably suggest the Rhythm, and if you want to read it straight off the watch, I'd suggest the ePulse 2.

I actually recently created a website analyzing different heart rate monitors without chest straps. Here's the page for continuous ones: http://www.heartratemonitorwithoutcheststrap.com/continuous-display-monitors/

Be warned that common complaints among heart rate monitors without chest straps is that they are less accurate/reliable - at least when doing very strenuous exercise. Some people hate them, others love them.
 

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