New Proof-of-concept Design Shows Health Monitoring in a Small Form Factor Smart Patch

William Cooper

Monitoring the basic functions of the human body can be useful to detect medical issues. Four vital signs are traditionally measured to keep track of these functions:

Temperature
Pulse
Respiration
Blood pressure

In many cases, these vital signs can be monitored using a microcontroller (MCU)-based system. While medical applications often require certification and the need to leverage specific algorithms to accurately monitor these vital signs, our new multi-parameter bio-signal monitor proof-of-concept shows how a system can use TI devices to measure three of the four primary vital signs described above. This ultra-low-power smart patch design can directly measure electrocardiogram (ECG), galvanic skin response (GSR) and skin temperature while also indirectly measuring other data such as step count or respiration rate.

This design demonstrates how a flexible substrate can be used with TI devices to adhere to skin to take the measurements. The patch will take in sensor data (ADS1292 ECG sub-circuit, LM4041 and LMP2231 GSR sub-circuit, TMP112 temperature sub-circuit and acceleration sensors) with algorithms running on the MSP430FR5989 microcontroller to derive health signs such as dehydration or ECG. It then leverages near field communication (NFC) as an interface from the patch to a smart phone (example app provided with design) to enable interface to the collected vitals.

To learn more about this TI Design reference design, download the design guide today!

Additional Resources

Evaluate the MSP430FR5989 MCU today by downloading the datasheet
Start developing with the MSP430FR5989 MCU LaunchPad™ development kit

IMPORTANT NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER

TI PROVIDES TECHNICAL AND RELIABILITY DATA (INCLUDING DATASHEETS), DESIGN RESOURCES (INCLUDING REFERENCE DESIGNS), APPLICATION OR OTHER DESIGN ADVICE, WEB TOOLS, SAFETY INFORMATION, AND OTHER RESOURCES “AS IS” AND WITH ALL FAULTS, AND DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS AND IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.

These resources are intended for skilled developers designing with TI products. You are solely responsible for (1) selecting the appropriate TI products for your application, (2) designing, validating and testing your application, and (3) ensuring your application meets applicable standards, and any other safety, security, or other requirements. These resources are subject to change without notice. TI grants you permission to use these resources only for development of an application that uses the TI products described in the resource. Other reproduction and display of these resources is prohibited. No license is granted to any other TI intellectual property right or to any third party intellectual property right. TI disclaims responsibility for, and you will fully indemnify TI and its representatives against, any claims, damages, costs, losses, and liabilities arising out of your use of these resources.

TI’s products are provided subject to TI’s Terms of Sale (www.ti.com/legal/termsofsale.html) or other applicable terms available either on ti.com or provided in conjunction with such TI products. TI’s provision of these resources does not expand or otherwise alter TI’s applicable warranties or warranty disclaimers for TI products.

Mailing Address: Texas Instruments, Post Office Box 655303, Dallas, Texas 75265