ECG Development
with Dr. Eugene Lee:
An Affordable and Sustainable ECG Home-based Solution for Accessibility
Marcel Zamora, Polytechnic School
Dr. Eugene Lee
Abstract
Electrocardiograms (ECGs) are essential for monitoring heart activity, but accessibility, sustainability, and patient comfort remain major concerns. Traditional ECG devices are expensive, often costing hundreds of dollars, making them impractical for home use. They also rely on disposable batteries, adding to environmental waste and ongoing costs. Many patients find standard ECGs uncomfortable for long-term wear. My project aims to develop an affordable, comfortable, and eco-friendly ECG device that uses rechargeable or solar-powered batteries to improve accessibility while reducing waste.
ECGs are crucial for diagnosing heart conditions like arrhythmias and myocardial infarctions. Unlike basic heart rate monitors, ECGs provide detailed electrical activity, which is essential for detecting abnormalities such as atrial fibrillation (AFib) and long QT syndrome. However, current ECG devices come with significant limitations. Hospital-grade ECG monitors, while highly accurate, are bulky, expensive, and impractical for personal use. Consumer ECGs, like KardiaMobile, are portable but only provide single-lead readings, which lack the diagnostic power of multi-lead systems.
My Plans
During my volunteer work at Huntington Hospital, I noticed the discomfort patients experienced with standard ECG units. Nurses frequently had to replace disposable batteries, generating a considerable amount of waste. Not only that, after multiple trips to foreign countries, I learned about global issues in healthcare including limited access to funding or technology. This inspired me to develop an affordable, rechargeable ECG device for home use that prioritizes patient comfort while addressing sustainability concerns.
After reaching out to Dr. Eugene Lee to support me on this project, we have worked extensively to engineer a working prototype.
My design features a 3-lead configuration, which balances cost and diagnostic capability. Unlike traditional wet electrodes, my device uses dry electrodes, reducing skin irritation and setup time. A rechargeable battery with potential solar power integration will eliminate the need for disposable batteries. The device will also feature wireless data transmission to a smartphone app (in progress) for real-time heart monitoring and alert notifications. The goal is to create a compact, wearable ECG embedded in a garment, such as a shirt or sling, eliminating cumbersome wires while ensuring reliable heart monitoring throughout daily activities.
The development process involved designing and prototyping the device, testing electronic components, and refining the form factor for comfort. Software development will also focus on implementing ECG signal processing algorithms and designing an intuitive mobile app for users to track their heart health. After prototyping, testing will ensure accuracy and usability before finalizing the design for broader deployment.
Conclusion
This project aims to make ECG monitoring more accessible, sustainable, and user-friendly. By combining a 3-lead configuration, a rechargeable power system, and a wearable design, this device will offer an effective alternative to costly, battery-dependent ECG systems. Future improvements could include AI-driven diagnostics, expanded health metrics, and enhanced connectivity for telemedicine applications. With this innovation, individuals can monitor their heart health conveniently at home while reducing environmental impact.
Marcel Zamora, Polytechnic School
Dr. Eugene Lee
Abstract
Electrocardiograms (ECGs) are essential for monitoring heart activity, but accessibility, sustainability, and patient comfort remain major concerns. Traditional ECG devices are expensive, often costing hundreds of dollars, making them impractical for home use. They also rely on disposable batteries, adding to environmental waste and ongoing costs. Many patients find standard ECGs uncomfortable for long-term wear. My project aims to develop an affordable, comfortable, and eco-friendly ECG device that uses rechargeable or solar-powered batteries to improve accessibility while reducing waste.
ECGs are crucial for diagnosing heart conditions like arrhythmias and myocardial infarctions. Unlike basic heart rate monitors, ECGs provide detailed electrical activity, which is essential for detecting abnormalities such as atrial fibrillation (AFib) and long QT syndrome. However, current ECG devices come with significant limitations. Hospital-grade ECG monitors, while highly accurate, are bulky, expensive, and impractical for personal use. Consumer ECGs, like KardiaMobile, are portable but only provide single-lead readings, which lack the diagnostic power of multi-lead systems.
My Plans
During my volunteer work at Huntington Hospital, I noticed the discomfort patients experienced with standard ECG units. Nurses frequently had to replace disposable batteries, generating a considerable amount of waste. Not only that, after multiple trips to foreign countries, I learned about global issues in healthcare including limited access to funding or technology. This inspired me to develop an affordable, rechargeable ECG device for home use that prioritizes patient comfort while addressing sustainability concerns.
After reaching out to Dr. Eugene Lee to support me on this project, we have worked extensively to engineer a working prototype.
My design features a 3-lead configuration, which balances cost and diagnostic capability. Unlike traditional wet electrodes, my device uses dry electrodes, reducing skin irritation and setup time. A rechargeable battery with potential solar power integration will eliminate the need for disposable batteries. The device will also feature wireless data transmission to a smartphone app (in progress) for real-time heart monitoring and alert notifications. The goal is to create a compact, wearable ECG embedded in a garment, such as a shirt or sling, eliminating cumbersome wires while ensuring reliable heart monitoring throughout daily activities.
The development process involved designing and prototyping the device, testing electronic components, and refining the form factor for comfort. Software development will also focus on implementing ECG signal processing algorithms and designing an intuitive mobile app for users to track their heart health. After prototyping, testing will ensure accuracy and usability before finalizing the design for broader deployment.
Conclusion
This project aims to make ECG monitoring more accessible, sustainable, and user-friendly. By combining a 3-lead configuration, a rechargeable power system, and a wearable design, this device will offer an effective alternative to costly, battery-dependent ECG systems. Future improvements could include AI-driven diagnostics, expanded health metrics, and enhanced connectivity for telemedicine applications. With this innovation, individuals can monitor their heart health conveniently at home while reducing environmental impact.
EcoCardio First Prototype
Volunteering
at Huntington Hospital:
Discover the Unknown with an Open-Mind and Curiosity
After speaking with an ICU physician who encouraged me to explore biomedicine, I began researching volunteer opportunities at local hospitals in order to introduce myself to the field of medicine. Since 2023, I have been volunteering at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, California, where I learned to improve my communication skills while interacting with patients. Moreover, I also learned to dispense medications, which provided me with a firsthand understanding of the critical role that biomedical research plays in healthcare.
Although my work at Huntington was not always easy -- patients could be difficult, and I had an enormous list of tasks to complete every day — I gained knowledge and experiences that I would not trade for anything. For instance, there was a particular experience that left a lasting impression on me. I was tasked to take a patient by wheelchair from her hospital room down to the lobby where she would be picked up. This patient was known for her silence and tendency to disregard the instructions of the nurses. Nevertheless, during the descent to the lobby, I initiated a conversation with her, offering a friendly and attentive presence and to my surprise, she began to share her thoughts and experiences.
It then crossed my mind that previous individuals who were given the same task had likely been silent during their brief interaction with her, but my eagerness to engage and listen had made her feel valued and heard. This experience reinforced my understanding of the human aspect in healthcare and the significance of effective communication in providing quality support to patients. It is during moments like this that underscore the profound impact healthcare professionals can have on the lives of those they serve. This encounter further motivated me to pursue a career in biomedicine where such insights can be applied to enhance patient care and medical outcomes.
Though volunteering at the hospital has provided me with valuable hands-on exposure to the field of biomedicine, I needed to enhance my research skills to better prepare for a career in biomedicine. While collaborating with patients and medical professionals, I learned the functions of specific medicines and the roles they played in maintaining health.
Although my work at Huntington was not always easy -- patients could be difficult, and I had an enormous list of tasks to complete every day — I gained knowledge and experiences that I would not trade for anything. For instance, there was a particular experience that left a lasting impression on me. I was tasked to take a patient by wheelchair from her hospital room down to the lobby where she would be picked up. This patient was known for her silence and tendency to disregard the instructions of the nurses. Nevertheless, during the descent to the lobby, I initiated a conversation with her, offering a friendly and attentive presence and to my surprise, she began to share her thoughts and experiences.
It then crossed my mind that previous individuals who were given the same task had likely been silent during their brief interaction with her, but my eagerness to engage and listen had made her feel valued and heard. This experience reinforced my understanding of the human aspect in healthcare and the significance of effective communication in providing quality support to patients. It is during moments like this that underscore the profound impact healthcare professionals can have on the lives of those they serve. This encounter further motivated me to pursue a career in biomedicine where such insights can be applied to enhance patient care and medical outcomes.
Though volunteering at the hospital has provided me with valuable hands-on exposure to the field of biomedicine, I needed to enhance my research skills to better prepare for a career in biomedicine. While collaborating with patients and medical professionals, I learned the functions of specific medicines and the roles they played in maintaining health.
