DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A HEART BEAT MONITOR

ABSTRACT

This work is on design and construction of a heartbeat monitor. Heartbeat

monitor is a very vital health parameter that is directly related to the soundness

of the human cardiovascular system. This project describes a technique of

measuring the heart beat through a fingertip. While the heart is beating, it is

actually pumping blood throughout the body, and that makes the blood volume

inside the finger artery to change too. This fluctuation of blood can be detected

through an optical sensing mechanism placed around the fingertip. The signal can

be amplified further for the system to count the rate of fluctuation, which is

actually the heart rate.

The aim of this work is to design a device senses the heart rate from the finger tip

using IR reflection method and displays it on a three digit seven segment display

in beats per minute. The circuit has an accuracy of 4 beats per minute.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE

APPROVAL PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWELDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

1.2 OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT

1.4 PROBLEM DEFINITION

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT

1.6 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

1.7 FEATURES OF HEARTBEAT SENSOR

1.8 APPLICATIONS OF HEARTBEAT SENSOR

1.9 METHODOLOGY

1.10 PROJECT ORGANISATION

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 OVERVIEW OF THE HEARTBEAT

2.2 FACTORS INFLUENCING HEART RATE

2.3 FACTORS DECREASING HEART RATE

2.4 REVIEW OF RELATED STUDIES

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 DESIGN METHODOLOGY

3.1 WORKING OF A HEARTBEAT SENSOR

3.2 HEARTBEAT SENSOR CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

3.3 HEARTBEAT SENSOR PRINCIPLE

3.4 SYSTEM OPERATION

3.6 CIRCUIT DIAGRAM OF HEARTBEAT MONITOR

3.7 DESCRIPTION OF COMPONENTS USED

3.8 CIRCUIT OPERATION

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULT ANALYSIS

4.1 CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURE

4.2 CASING AND PACKAGING

4.3 ASSEMBLING OF SECTIONS

4.4 PACKAGING

4.5 MOUNTING PROCEDURE

4.6 TESTING

4.7 RESULT ANALYSIS

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATION AND REFERENCES

5.1 CONCLUSIONS

5.2 RECOMMENDATION

5.3 FUTURE WORKS

5.4 REFERENCES

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Heartbeat is the major sign that are routinely measured by physicians after the

arrival of a patient [1]. Heart rate refers to how many times a heart contracts and

relaxes in a unit of time (usually per minute).

Heart rate varies for different age groups. For a human adult of age 18 or more

years, a normal resting heart rate is around 72 beats per minute (bpm). A lower

heart rate at rest implies more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular

fitness. Babies have a much higher rate than adults around 120 bpm and older

children have heart rate around 90 bpm. The heart rate increases gradually during

exercise and returns to its normal value after exercise. The rate at which the pulse

returns to its normal value is an indication of the fitness of a person. If the heart

rate is lower than the normal heart rate, it is an indication of a condition known as

bradycardia and if the heart rate is higher than the normal heart rate, it is an

indication of a condition known as tachycardia [2].

A heart rate monitor (HRM) allows one to measure/display heart rate in real time

or record the heart rate for later study. It is largely used to gather heart rate data
while performing various types of physical exercise. Measuring electrical heart

information is referred to as Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG).

This work describes the design of a heart beat monitor using microcontroller as the

heart of the system.

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Heart beat rate means the number of heartbeats per unit time, usually expressed

as beats per minute (bpm). The human heart pounds to pump oxygen rich blood

to the muscles and carry cell waste products away from the tissues. Heartbeat

rate can vary according to the demand of the muscles to absorb oxygen and

excrete carbon dioxide changes such as during exercise or sleep. It also varies

significantly between individuals based on age, fitness and genetics. This means

that the heart must beat faster to deliver more oxygen rich blood. During exercise

routines, the heartbeat rate gives a strong indication of how effective the exercise

is to the body.

The patient monitoring systems is one of the major improvements in the global

health care program because of its advanced technology. A patient monitoring

system measures the heartbeat by using embedded technology. This

advancement in technology is highly needed because many sick patients at the

hospitals die because of high fever and heart attacks. The trend of cardiovascular
disease has shown that heart beat rate plays a key role in determining the

possibility of a heart attack. Heart diseases such as heart attack, coronary heart

disease, congestive heart failure, and congenital heart disease are the leading

causes of death for men and women in many countries. Most of the time, the

aged people of the society are more prone to heart disease problems than the

younger ones. For people who live alone with no one to monitor their health

condition, this device offers an opportunity to them for a constant monitoring of

their health status, it is developed to monitor and alert the doctors about the

heartbeat condition of a patient. It is developed to give patients a timely and

proper heath care.

These days it is not easy for doctors and the nurses to remain close to a patients

bed side to monitor their heath condition. In the past, a huge and fixed

monitoring device was used (only in the hospitals) to know the health status of a

patient when on a bed. These monitoring devices are only available in the

hospitals and are constantly on Many the of patient them are not user friendly so

it is important that the doctors and family members will have a handy device that

can always monitor their patients when they are not around.

Another vital thing to monitor in a patient is the heartbeat rate. It is very

important that the heartbeat is to be normal. That is 72 BPM. If there is any

abnormality, then the patient is in distress. Heartbeat rate means the number of

heartbeats per unit of time. The normal heartbeat rate of a resting person is

about 70 bpm for adult males and 75 bpm for adult females. The average

heartbeat per minute for 25-year old ranges between 140-170 beats per minute

while for a 60-year old it is typically between 115-140 beats per minute. Normally

it is difficult to keep track of the abnormalities in the heartbeat count of by

manual means. Patients are not well versed with the manual treatments, which

the doctors normally use for tracking the count of the heartbeat. Thus, there must

be some kind of device which would help patients and their family member to

keep track of their health by themselves. This sole reason is why this project

presents a heartbeat monitor. The concept of developing an RF. based patient

monitoring device is to have a simple home and hospital based pulse monitoring

device for sick person’s that are in critical condition and needs to be constantly or

periodically monitored by clinician or family.

1.3 PROBLEM DEFINITION

The human health is one of the most important concerns in the world today.

Anything/everything becomes meaningless when one becomes sick and dies due

to improper Medicare. For health reasons, people, governments and several

voluntary bodies spend a lot of money to ensure a better health condition for

themselves and the entire populace. Scientists and Engineers are always at work

to device a means of supporting/sustaining a sound health condition for all

through the invention of numerous technologies both Electrical/Mechanical

gadgets that are in use for health care delivery today. The heart is a very delicate

organ in the human body (once it stops beating, nothing else matters). Thus, If

early actions are taken (and on time) the heart condition can be managed

effectively and many patients can be cured and saved. The problem of patients

slumping and dying is associated with cardiovascular arrests and can be

checkmated this sensitive and highly effective device (the patient heartbeat and

temperature monitor). This device has an outstanding advantage that it is easy to

handle and access. Heartbeat rate and body temperature monitors are part of the

most vital tools needed in first aid kit for saving lives. Unlike the x-ray, the

heartbeat and temperature monitor does not impose any hazard to the human

health. There devices in the market which can provide raw measurement data of

the patients to the doctors, but the patients may not be able to interpret the

medical measurement into a meaningful diagnosis due to their limited medical

background. On the other hand, if raw medical data is delivered to the doctor,

time is wasted and may pose a problem, but in emergencies waste of time can
never be tolerated. It is tough to share data over large area within a short period.

Most of the products available in the market have this drawback of limitation in

flexibility and portability. If the heat that is produced from metabolism cannot be

checkmated on time, it will cause a turbulent body temperature, which could be

worse than 40°C and lead to headache, vertigo, low blood pressure, high energy

consumption, unconsciousness and crocking up of body temperature regulation

function.

1.3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The main aim of this work is to design a monitoring device that allows one to

measure/display heart rate in real time or record the heart rate for later study.

1.4 PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT

The purpose of this work is to help the doctors and family members to keep track

of the heartbeat condition of their loved ones [as well as their body temperature]

in the case of an abnormality in the health condition (for those with heartbeat

defects and those that run excessive high temperature beyond normal). If any

varied change takes place, it is notified.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT

There are various instruments available in the hospitals to keep track of the

internal body changes, but many of them have limitations regarding to

maintenance, cost, size of instruments, and mobility. This project is so significant

because it is mobile, small in size, cost effective, very easy to use, highly efficient

performance, portable and light in weight etc. to help both the patient and the

concerned doctor to take an appropriate action.

It is beneficial in terms of cost. It saves time and is very helpful to patients who

live alone. It offers a freedom of movement to patients. It has low power

consumption.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

It is designed to operate with an alkaline battery of a minimum of 9 volts to a

maximum of 12v consumes 50mA. It uses a buffer, temperature sensor, AT89c51

Microcontroller and a led display with buzzer for the alert. The hardware and soft

ware of the system is oriented towards the AT89c51 single chip microcontroller.

Hence, reducing the size of the device.

1.7 FEATURES OF HEARTBEAT SENSOR

1. Indicates heartbeat by a LED

2. Provides a direct output digital signal for connecting to a microcontroller

3. Possesses compact Size

4. Works with a working Voltage of +5V DC

1.8 APPLICATIONS OF HEARTBEAT MONITOR

1. Works as a Digital Heart Rate monitor

2 Works as a Patient Health Monitoring System

3 Used as a Bio-Feedback control of robotic applications

1.9 METHODOLOGY

To achieve the aim and objectives of this work, the following are the steps

involved:

i. Study of the previous work on the project so as to improve it efficiency.

ii. Draw a block diagram.

iii. Test for continuity of components and devices,

iv. programming of microcontroller

v. Design and calculation for the work was carried out.

vi. Studying of various component used in circuit.

vii. Construct the whole circuit.

viii. Finally, the whole device was cased and final test was carried out.

1.10 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib or AF) – A type of irregular heartbeat that occurs when

the upper chambers of the heart beat very fast and unpredictably, producing an

irregular heartbeat.

Autonomic Reflex Testing – A series of tests that monitor blood pressure, blood

flow, heart rate, skin temperature, and sweating in response to stimuli to determine

if the autonomic nervous system is functioning normally.

Bradycardia – A slower than normal heart rate of under 60 beats per minute.

Cardiologist – A doctor who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing

diseases in the heart and blood vessels.

Cryptogenic Stroke – A stroke of unknown cause.

Echocardiogram – A device that provides a “moving” picture of the heart, heart

valves, and how the heart is pumping.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) – A test that records the heart’s electrical activity.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) – A test that records brain wave activity to help

determine where seizures may occur.

Electrophysiologist – A cardiologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating

abnormal heartbeats, including when the heart beats too fast, too slow, or in a way

that pumps blood inefficiently.

Electrophysiology (EP) Study – A test that reproduces abnormal heart rhythms

and extra heartbeats so the heart’s electrical impulses and responses to the

heartbeats can be evaluated.

Heart Palpitations – Sensations that feel like the heart is pounding, racing,

fluttering, skipping, or adding a beat.

Hemodynamic Testing – A test that evaluates the blood flow and pressure when

the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood throughout the body.

1.11 PROJECT REPORT ORGANIZATION

The organization of the project report is well detailed and vast in its coverage.

It covers all the activities encountered during the research work. The first

chapter is the introductory chapter, which covers the background, project

objectives, scope of the project, constraints and block diagram overview of the

states. Chapter two presents the literature review. Chapter three covers the

system analysis and design including the design methodology in block diagram

form, implementation, which shows the component layout, the wiring

schedule, the wiring diagram and the complete schematic diagram. Chapter

four covers the testing and integration of the project design. The system

testing was first carried out in a laboratory. Chapter five is the Conclusion,

which includes the summary of achievements, problems encountered during

project design, recommendation and suggestion for further improvement.

CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 OVERVIEW OF THE HEARTBEAT

A heartbeat is a two-part pumping action that takes about a second. As blood

collects in the upper chambers (the right and left atria), the heart's natural

pacemaker (the SA node) sends out an electrical signal that causes the atria to

contract. This contraction pushes blood through the tricuspid and mitral valves

into the resting lower chambers (the right and left ventricles). This part of the

two-part pumping phase (the longer of the two) is called diastole.

The second part of the pumping phase begins when the ventricles are full of

blood. The electrical signals from the SA node travel along a pathway of cells to

the ventricles, causing them to contract. This is called systole. As the tricuspid and

mitral valves shut tight to prevent a back flow of blood, the pulmonary and aortic

valves are pushed open. While blood is pushed from the right ventricle into the

lungs to pick up oxygen, oxygen-rich blood flows from the left ventricle to the

heart and other parts of the body.

After blood moves into the pulmonary artery and the aorta, the ventricles relax,

and the pulmonary and aortic valves close. The lower pressure in the ventricles
causes the tricuspid and mitral valves to open, and the cycle begins again. This

series of contractions is repeated over and over again, increasing during times of

exertion and decreasing while you are at rest. The heart normally beats about 60

to 80 times a minute when you are at rest, but this can vary. As you get older,

your resting heart rate rises. It is usually lower in people who are physically fit.

Your heart does not work alone, though. Your brain tracks the conditions around

you—climate, stress, and level of physical activity—and adjusts your

cardiovascular system to meet those needs.

The human heart is a muscle designed to remain strong and reliable for a hundred

years or longer. By reducing your risk factors for cardiovascular disease, you may

help your heart stay healthy longer.

2.2 FACTORS INFLUENCING HEART RATE

Table 1: Major factors increasing heart rate and force of contraction

Factor Effect

Cardioaccelerator
Release of norepinephrine
nerves

Proprioreceptors Increased rates of firing during exercise

 Decreased levels of O2; increased levels of H+, CO2, and
Chemoreceptors
lactic acid

Decreased rates of firing, indicating falling blood

Baroreceptors
volume/pressure

Limbic system Anticipation of physical exercise or strong emotions

Catecholamines Increased epinephrine and norepinephrine

Thyroid hormones Increased T3 and T4

Calcium Increased Ca2+

Potassium Decreased K+

Sodium Decreased Na+

Body temperature Increased body temperature

Nicotine and caffeine Stimulants, increasing heart rate

Table 2: Factors decreasing heart rate and force of contraction

Factor Effect

Cardioinhibitor nerves Release of acetylcholine

(vagus)

Proprioreceptors Decreased rates of firing following exercise

Increased levels of O2; decreased levels of H+ and

Chemoreceptors
CO2

Increased rates of firing, indicating higher blood

Baroreceptors
volume/pressure

Limbic system Anticipation of relaxation

Catecholamines Decreased epinephrine and norepinephrine

Thyroid hormones Decreased T3 and T4

Calcium Decreased Ca2+

Potassium Increased K+

Sodium Increased Na+

Body temperature Decrease in body temperature

Using a combination of autorhythmicity and innervation, the cardiovascular center

is able to provide relatively precise control over the heart rate, but other factors can

impact on this. These include hormones, notably epinephrine, norepinephrine, and

thyroid hormones; levels of various ions including calcium, potassium, and

sodium; body temperature; hypoxia; and pH balance. [Betts, J, 2014]

Epinephrine and norepinephrine

The catecholamines, epinephrine and norepinephrine, secreted by the adrenal

medulla form one component of the extended fight-or-flight mechanism. The other

component is sympathetic stimulation. Epinephrine and norepinephrine have

similar effects: binding to the beta-1 adrenergic receptors, and opening sodium and

calcium ion chemical- or ligand-gated channels. The rate of depolarization is

increased by this additional influx of positively charged ions, so the threshold is

reached more quickly and the period of repolarization is shortened. However,

massive releases of these hormones coupled with sympathetic stimulation may

actually lead to arrhythmias. There is no parasympathetic stimulation to the adrenal

medulla. [Betts, J, 2014]

Thyroid hormones

In general, increased levels of the thyroid hormones (thyroxine(T4) and

triiodothyronine (T3)), increase the heart rate; excessive levels can trigger

tachycardia. The impact of thyroid hormones is typically of a much longer duration

than that of the catecholamines. The physiologically active form of

triiodothyronine, has been shown to directly enter cardiomyocytes and alter

activity at the level of the genome. It also impacts the beta adrenergic response

similar to epinephrine and norepinephrine.[Betts, J, 2014]

Calcium

Calcium ion levels have a great impact on heart rate and contractility: increased

calcium levels cause an increase in both. High levels of calcium ions result in

hypercalcemia and excessive levels can induce cardiac arrest. Drugs known as

calcium channel blockers slow HR by binding to these channels and blocking or

slowing the inward movement of calcium ions. [Betts, J, 2014]

Caffeine and nicotine

Caffeine and nicotine are both stimulants of the nervous system and of the cardiac

centres causing an increased heart rate. Caffeine works by increasing the rates of

depolarization at the SA node, whereas nicotine stimulates the activity of the

sympathetic neurons that deliver impulses to the heart. [Betts, J, 2014] Both

stimulants are legal and unregulated, and nicotine is very addictive. [Betts, J, 2014]
Effects of stress

Both surprise and stress induce physiological response: elevate heart rate

substantially.[12] In a study conducted on 8 female and male student actors ages

18 to 25, their reaction to an unforeseen occurrence (the cause of stress) during a

performance was observed in terms of heart rate. In the data collected, there was a

noticeable trend between the location of actors (onstage and offstage) and their

elevation in heart rate in response to stress; the actors present offstage reacted to

the stressor immediately, demonstrated by their immediate elevation in heart rate

the minute the unexpected event occurred, but the actors present onstage at the

time of the stressor reacted in the following 5 minute period (demonstrated by their

increasingly elevated heart rate). This trend regarding stress and heart rate is

supported by previous studies; negative emotion/stimulus has a prolonged effect on

heart rate in individuals who are directly impacted. [Chou, 2014] In regard to the

characters present onstage, a reduced startle response has been associated with a

passive defense, and the diminished initial heart rate response has been predicted to

have a greater tendency to dissociation.[Chou, 2014] Further, note that heart rate is

an accurate measure of stress and the startle response which can be easily observed

to determine the effects of certain stressors.

2.3 FACTORS DECREASING HEART RATE

The heart rate can be slowed by altered sodium and potassium levels, hypoxia,

acidosis, alkalosis, and hypothermia. The relationship between electrolytes and HR

is complex, but maintaining electrolyte balance is critical to the normal wave of

depolarization. Of the two ions, potassium has the greater clinical significance.

Initially, both hyponatremia (low sodium levels) and hypernatremia (high sodium

levels) may lead to tachycardia. Severely high hypernatremia may lead to

fibrillation, which may cause CO to cease. Severe hyponatremia leads to both

bradycardia and other arrhythmias. Hypokalemia (low potassium levels) also leads

to arrhythmias, whereas hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) causes the heart to

become weak and flaccid, and ultimately to fail.[Betts, J, 2014]

Heart muscle relies exclusively on aerobic metabolism for energy. Severe (an

insufficient supply of oxygen) leads to decreasing HRs, since metabolic reactions

fueling heart contraction are restricted. [Chou, 2014]

Acidosis is a condition in which excess hydrogen ions are present, and the patient's

blood expresses a low pH value. Alkalosis is a condition in which there are too few

hydrogen ions, and the patient's blood has an elevated pH. Normal blood pH falls

in the range of 7.35–7.45, so a number lower than this range represents acidosis

and a higher number represents alkalosis. Enzymes, being the regulators or

catalysts of virtually all biochemical reactions - are sensitive to pH and will change

shape slightly with values outside their normal range. These variations in pH and

accompanying slight physical changes to the active site on the enzyme decrease the

rate of formation of the enzyme-substrate complex, subsequently decreasing the

rate of many enzymatic reactions, which can have complex effects on HR. Severe

changes in pH will lead to denaturation of the enzyme. [Chou, 2014]

The last variable is body temperature. Elevated body temperature is called

hyperthermia, and suppressed body temperature is called hypothermia. Slight

hyperthermia results in increasing HR and strength of contraction. Hypothermia

slows the rate and strength of heart contractions. This distinct slowing of the heart

is one component of the larger diving reflex that diverts blood to essential organs

while submerged. If sufficiently chilled, the heart will stop beating, a technique

that may be employed during open heart surgery. In this case, the patient's blood is

normally diverted to an artificial heart-lung machine to maintain the body's blood

supply and gas exchange until the surgery is complete, and sinus rhythm can be

restored. Excessive hyperthermia and hypothermia will both result in death, as

enzymes drive the body systems to cease normal function, beginning with the

central nervous system. [Chou, 2014]

2.3 REVIEW OF RELATED WORKS

In the work “Heartbeat monitoring alert via SMS” [4], the heart beat rate is

detected using photoplethysmograph (PPG) technique. This signal is processed

using PIC16F87 microcontroller to determine the heart beat rate per minute.

Then, it sends SMS alert to the mobile phone of medical experts or patient's

family members, or their relatives via SMS. Thus, doctors can monitor and

diagnose the patient's condition continuously and could suggest earlier

precaution for the patients themselves. This will also alert the family members

to quickly attend the patient. PPG is a simple and low-cost optical technique

that can be used to detect blood volume changes in the micro vascular bed of

tissue. Frequently, it is used non-invasively to make measurements at the skin

surface. A PPG is often obtained by using a pulse oximeter which illuminates the

skin and measures changes in light absorption. Typically, a PPG tools uses an

emitter-receiver pair to determine blood flow. It consists of a matched infrared

emitter and photodiode, which transmits changes in infrared reflectance

resulting from varying blood flow. A heartbeat sensor circuit which adopted PPG

technique is designed using MPLAB software.

As a means of making monitoring systems cost effective and flexible, the work “A

Low Cost Optical Sensor Based Heart Rate Monitoring System” [5], was conceived
by researchers. This proposes the design and implementation of a single

Microcontroller based heart rate measuring device that integrates most of the

key features of the aforementioned devices and models. The device is compact in

size, energy efficient, portable, capable of data storage and well suited for

communicating with an external remote device via Bluetooth and cellular

communication in case of a medical emergency or routine. It is based on a single

Microcontroller chip that utilizes change in amount of reflection of light sensed by

a photo transistor. A photo transistor is used to sense the reflected light. Signal

received by the photo transistor is very weak and perturbed by high frequency

noise. In order for this signal to be processed in Microcontroller, it is needed to

eliminate undesired noise. Furthermore, the signal level is to be raised to a

satisfactory level so that the spikes coming from the transistor during each time

the heart beats can be distinguished properly by the Microcontroller. After noise

being properly attenuated, the signal is fed to the Microcontroller where the data

processing is done by converting the analog signal to digital signal. This device has

been developed with significant operational conformity with its commercial

counterparts. It is designed to respond during medical emergencies via Bluetooth

and cellular communication. Furthermore, it can store bulk of data and can also

be made conveniently portable.

In the work titled “Microcontroller Based Heart Beat and temperature

Monitoring and Alerting System” [6]. It explains how a single-chip

microcontroller can be used to analyze heart beat rate in real-time. In addition,

it allows doctors to get the heart beat and location of the patient by GSM every

twenty four hours. It can also be used to control patients or athletic person over

a long period. The system reads stores and analyses the heartbeat repetitively

in real-time. The hardware and software design are oriented towards a single-

chip microcontroller-based system, hence minimizing the size. The hardware

design is based on an embedded system implementation using the PIC16F877

(a 40 bit) microcontroller from microchip.This system consist of Microcontroller

(PIC16F877A), heart beat sensor, GSM modem, GPS receiver. For measuring

Heartbeat, input is taken from the finger. Heart beat sensor will generate digital

pulse corresponding to each beat. This pulse is counted by interfacing heart

beat sensor to microcontroller to pin no. 15(TICKL) and programming the

microcontroller in counter mode. After counting of pulse for one minute, value

of heart beat will be displayed on LCD and if value is beyond the normal range

then location of patient will be messaged to doctor or health attendant

personnel using GSM.

 CHAPTER THREE

3.0 DESIGN METHODOLOGY

Heartbeat sensor provides a simple way to study the function of the heart which

can be measured based on the principle of psycho-physiological signal used as a

stimulus for the virtual- reality system. The amount of the blood in the finger

changes with respect to time.

The sensor shines a light lobe (a small very bright LED) through the ear and

measures the light that gets transmitted to the Light Dependent Resistor. The

amplified signal gets inverted and filtered, in the Circuit. In order to calculate the

heart rate based on the blood flow to the fingertip, a heart-rate sensor is

assembled with the help of LM358 OP-AMP for monitoring the heartbeat pulses.
3.1 WORKING OF A HEARTBEAT SENSOR

The heart beat sensor circuit diagram comprises a light detector and a bright red

LED. The LED needs to be of super bright intensity because maximum light passes

and spreads if a finger placed on the LED is detected by the detector.

3.2 HEARTBEAT SENSOR CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

3.3 HEARTBEAT SENSOR PRINCIPLE

Now, when the heart pumps blood through the blood vessels, the finger becomes

slightly more opaque; due to this, less amount of light reaches from the LED to

the detector. With every heart pulse generated, the detector signal gets varied.

The varied detector signal is converted into an electrical pulse. This electrical

signal gets amplified and triggered through an amplifier which gives an output of
+5V logic level signal. The output signal is also directed by a LED display which

blinks on each heartbeat rate.

3.3 SYSTEM OPERATION

The main purpose of this automatic health system is to monitor the heart rate

and pulse rate of a patient and display the same to the doctor by using RF

technology.

In hospitals, patients’ heartbeat rates need to be monitored regularly, which is

usually done by doctors or other paramedical staff. They observe the body

heartbeat rates (whether 72 times per minute). The doctors and other hospital

management staff keep a record of the heartbeats of every patient.

This health monitoring system project includes various components such as an

8051 microcontroller, a 5V regulated power supply unit, a heartbeat sensor, an RF

transmitter, a receiver module and a LCD display. The microcontroller is used as

the brain of the entire project for monitoring the heartbeat, pulse rate, and body

temperature of patients. The working of this monitoring system project is

illustrated with the help of a block diagram, which includes various blocks such as
a power-supply block that supplies power to the whole circuit, a heartbeat sensor

for monitoring heartbeats of the patients.

3.4 BLOCK DIAGRAM OF TRANSMITTER

Block Diagram of Transmitter

In the transmitter section, the temperature sensor is used to read the body

temperature of the patients continuously and the heart beat sensor for

monitoring the heartbeats’ rate of the patients, and then the data is sent to the

8051 microcontroller. The data gets transmitted first, and then encoded into

serial data through the air by a Radio Frequency module. With the help of an RF

antenna placed at the transmitter end, the data is transmitted to the receiver

section.
This project makes use of a heartbeat sensor used for controlling the heartbeat

pulses of the heart patients. Moreover, LCDs are used for display. An AT89S52

Microcontroller is used for continuously monitoring the heartbeat rate and pulse

rate of the patient which are done by taking into consideration the embedded C

programming done in microcontroller by using KEIL software. The entire circuit

gets power from the different blocks like voltage regulator and step- down

transformer, used in the power supply circuit. The voltage regulator produces a

constant output voltage of 5 Volts.

3.4 CIRCUIT DIAGRAM OF DIGITAL HEARTBEAT MONITOR

Circuit Diagram of Digital Heartbeat Monitor

3.5 DESCRIPTION OF COMPONENTS USED

AT89S52 Microcontroller: The device used in this project is ‘AT89S52’, which is a

typical 8051 microcontroller produced by Atmel corporation. This Microcontroller

is the most important fragment of this project as it controls all the operations of

the circuit such as reading heartbeat rate pulses data from the heartbeat sensor.

Power Supply: This power supply block consists of a step-down transformer, a

bridge rectifier, a capacitor and a voltage regulator. Single-phase Active Current

power supply from the mains is step down to a lower voltage range which is again

rectified to Direct Current by using a bridge rectifier. This rectified Direct Current

is filtered and regulated to the whole circuit operating range with a capacitor and

voltage regulator IC, respectively.

LCD: Most of the projects make use of LCD displays for displaying information like

heartbeat rate, body temperature, etc. There are various displays used in projects

such as seven-segment displays and LED displays. Selection of display depends on

considering these parameters: cost of displays, power consumption and ambient

lighting conditions.
Resistors: Resistance is well-defined as the ratio of voltage applied across its

terminals and current passing through it. The resistor value depends on a fixed

voltage that limits the current passing through it. Resistor is a passive component

used for controlling the current in an electronic circuit.

Capacitors: The main purpose of a capacitor is to store charge. The product of the

capacitance value and the voltage applied across a capacitor is equal to the

charge stored in the capacitor.

Crystal Oscillator: A Crystal oscillator circuit is a type of electronic circuit that

makes use of the mechanical resonance of a vibrating circuit used for generating

electrical signals by varying the frequency. An AT89S52 microcontroller controls

the crystals for synchronizing its operation. The type of synchronization made in

this circuit is known as machine cycle.

3.6 CIRCUIT OPERATION

 In this system, a crystal oscillator circuit is connected between the pins 18 and

19 of the AT89S52 microcontroller used for operating the instructions sets at a

various clock frequency range. A machine cycle is used to measure the

minimum time for executing the single instruction set.

 Reset circuit is connected to the pin 9 of the AT89S52 microcontroller with the

help of a capacitor and resistor. The resistor’s other end is connected to the

Ground (20pin) and the capacitor’s other end is connected to the (EA/Vpp) 31

pin. The resistor and capacitor are connected in such a way that they perform

a reset mode of operation manually. If the switch gets closed, then the reset

pin is set high.

 Heart beat sensor connected to the port1.0 pin of the microcontroller is used

for monitoring the pulses of the heart, and these pulse signals are sent to the

microcontroller and compared with the programmed data stored in the

microcontroller by using Keil software. Whenever the input’s heart rate pulses

are received, the counter in the microcontroller counts these pulses for certain

time period.

 LCD Displays are connected to the port 2 pins of the AT89S52 microcontroller.

The time duration of one heartbeat’s pulse will be one sec, and by dividing

60,000 by 1000 we will have the appropriate result as 60, which will then be

displayed on LCD.
Block Diagram of Receiver

In the receiver section, a receiver is placed at the other end to receive the data

and the received data is decoded by using a decoder, and the transmitted data

(body temperature, heartbeat pulses) is compared with the data stored in the

microcontroller, and then the resultant data gets displayed on the LCD screen.

The receiver RF module placed at the doctor’s partition continuously reads the

Patient health conditions such as heart rate and pulse rate, and displays the result

on the LCD, wirelessly.

 CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 RESULT ANALYSIS

4.1 CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURE

In building this project, the following procedures were properly considered,

I. Purposing of the entire materials / Components needed

ii. Resistance check of the components bought with the help of ohmmeter

before making the necessary connection with the components

iii. Drafting out a schematic diagram or how to arrange the materials /

components.

iv. Testing the completed system to see if the design works and

v. Finally, implementation of design of the project.

Having procured all the materials, I processed into the arrangement of the

components into the Vero board but we could not laid the processor directly on

the bread board because the heat soldering iron emits while soldering, proper

soldering of the components then followed. The components were all soldered

into the board after which it was correctly confirmed done.

4.2 CASING AND PACKAGING

All the components were soldered onto the Vero Board. Then after that, a case

was gotten where the entire circuit was mounted follow by other external

components such as indicators, LCD, keyboard, sensor and switch.

4.3 ASSEMBLING OF SECTIONS

Having provided the casing and having finished the construction of the sections of

this system, the assembling into the casing followed. The sections were properly
laid out and assembled into the casing where the general coupling and linkages

into the peripheral devices took place.

Finally; the indicator was brought out to indicate when the system is powered.

Switch was brought out for powering the system, LCD and keypad was also

brought out of the casing

4.4 PACKAGING

This is a very important aspect of the design work. It is the appearance given to

the final work. After soldering on the vero board, we do not leave the work like

that; it has to be cased. Packaging could serve two major functions.

1. Serve to protect the components used for the design.

2. Serve to make the finished work look attractive.

A portable wooden casing covered with leather was used in packaging the work.

The wooden case retain the heat generated by the bulls since wood is a poor

conductor of heat and electricity. The dimension and design of the box was

arrived at after considering various factors such as the width and length of the

vero board

The dimension for the casing is:

Length --- 31.5 cm and 26.5cm

Height -- 14.cm

The vero board and the transformer are held firmly by bolts and nuts.

4.5 MOUNTING PROCEDURE

The transformer was bolted directly to the bottom of the case. This was followed

by mounting of the power section of the circuit board. A gap was made between

one mounting and the successive ones. This is necessary to avoid over crowding.

The vero board is also mounted at the upper side of the case. The resistors,

transistors, and other components used were mounted on the vero board. All the

accessories were highly fixed to avoid slack that may result in the process of

operations

4.6 TESTING

Testing is one of the important stages in the development of any new product or

repair of existing ones. Because it is very difficult to trace a fault in a finished

work, especially when the work to be tested is too complex. For the purpose of

this project, two stages of testing are involved

5. Pre-implementation testing

6. Post-implementation testing.

4.6.1 PRE-IMPLEMENTATION TESTING

It is carried out on the components before they are soldered to the veroboard.

This is to ensure that each component is in good working condition before they

are finally soldered to the board. The components used in this design are grouped

into two.

- Discrete components e.g. resistors, light emitting diodes, capacitors, transistors.

Etc.

- processor components.

The discrete components are tested with a millimeter by switching the meter to

the required value and range corresponding to each discrete component to check

for continuity.

4.6.2 POST-IMPLEMENTATION TESTING

After implementing the circuit on a project board, the different sections of the

complete system were tested to ensure that they were in good operating
condition. The continuity test carried out is to ensure that the circuit or

components are properly linked together. This test was carried out before power

was supplied to the circuit. Finally, after troubleshooting has been done on the

whole circuit, power was supplied to the circuit. Visual troubleshooting was also

carried out at this stage to ensure that the components do not burn out.

4.7 RESULT ANALYSIS

The results obtained during the construction states after necessary

troubleshooting were satisfactory. The system was able to respond to its

operation.

4.8 COST ANALYSIS

The expenditure made in purchasing all the components / materials and quantity

used in building this project is tabulated as show below. (Should be done by the

designer).
 CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 CONCLUSION

At the end of this work a patient heartbeat monitoring device was designed. The

project is designed in such a way to monitor the heartbeat rate measurement

using a microcontroller with the help of a heartbeat sensor.

The heartbeat sensor circuit diagram is based on an AT89S52 microcontroller and

other components such as heartbeat sensor, power supply, crystal oscillator

circuit, resistors, capacitors and LCD display.

The AT89S52 microcontroller is the most popular microcontroller selected from a

family of 8051 microcontroller. An 8-bit microcontroller is used for controlling all

the operations of the circuit. It also controls the heartbeat pulses generated from

the heartbeat sensor.

5.2 RECOMMENDATION

This control system is recommended for every electronics and medical

laboratories, and industries to aid those working and patients in the hospital. This

control system has to be perceived by the society and the world at large as a

necessary and vital technological upgrade.

While working on this design, at some point in time we were carried away by the

fact that our project is working as desired but on further thinking, we thought

about the fact that our control system should working independently on its own

when it comes to the power supply unit, that the system get its power from the

public power supply system which is well known that it is not stable, so on this
note , we will advice any further work on this control system to have its power

supply independent on its own or better still use rechargeable batteries or solar if

possible.

5.3 FUTURE WORKS

1. The device can be connected to PC by using serial output so that measured

heartbeat and heartbeat can be sent to PC for further online or offline analysis.

2. Warning for abnormalities of health condition can be displayed.

3. Sound can be added to the device so that the device makes a sound each time a

pulse is received and alarm is started for abnormal health condition.

4. The output can be sent to mobile phones by using GSM module or Bluetooth

module for further analysis.

5. More parameters (like blood pressure) can be added to the device.

5.4 REFERENCES

[1]. http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/ physical-examination. (August 31,

2013).

[2]. D. Mukherjee, K. Gupta, M. Pandey, and A. Agrawal, “Microcontroller Based

Cardiac Counter System”, IJEAM, Vol. 02, Issue 01,April 2013 ISSN (Online):2320-

6608.
[3]. Eisman, Louis, Biology and Human Progress. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice

Hall, 1972: 125.

[4]. Simmers, Louise. Diversified Health Occupations. 2nd Edition, Canada:

Delmar,

1988:150-151.

[5]. R. Trivedi, G. Mathur, A. Mathur, “A Survey on Platinum Temperature

Sensor”, IJSCE, ISSN: 2231-2307, Volume-1, Issue-NCAI2011, June 2011.

[6]. S. Mada, Sandhyarani S, “An Adaptive Embedded System for helping

Patients”, IJCTT, Volume 2, Issue 2, 2011.

[7]. S. F. Babiker, L. E. Abdel-Khair, S. M. Elbasheer: “Microcontroller Based Heart

Rate Monitor using Fingertip Sensors”, UofKEJ, Vol.1, Issue 2, pp. 47-51 (October

2011).

[8]. Y. S. Satyanarayan, Y. R. Satyanarayan, D. H. Desai: “Intelligent Wireless

Emergency Alert

System for Patient Monitoring using AT89S52 Microcontroller”, IJAREEIE, Vol. 2,

Issue 4,

April 2013.

[9]. http://www.engineersgarage.com/ electronic-components/rf-module-

transmitter-receiver. (September 10, 2013).

10] Betts, J. Gordon (2013). Anatomy & physiology. pp. 787–846. ISBN 978-

1938168130. Retrieved 11 August 2014.

11]. Mustonen, Veera; Pantzar, Mika (2013). "Tracking social rhythms of the

heart". Approaching Religion. 3 (2): 16–21.

12] Brosschot, J.F.; Thayer, J.F. (2003). "Heart rate response is longer after

negative emotions than after positive emotions". International Journal of

Psychophysiology. 50 (3): 181–87.

13]. Chou, C.Y.; Marca, R.L.; Steptoe, A.; Brewin, C.R. (2014). "Heart rate, startle

response, and intrusive trauma memories". Psychophysiology. 51 (3): 236–46.