VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has developed a mobile app and thumb-size device that detects an irregular heartbeat known as arrhythmia. The technology, suitable for pre- and post-surgery monitoring of heart patients, register an individual's electrocardiogram (ECG) signal whenever arrhythmia or other heart symptoms occur.

Beat2Phone helps to detect atrial fibrillation, other types of arrhythmia, and cardiac conduction disorders.
(Credit: VTT)

The "Beat2Phone" accurately measures the user's heart rate and heart rate variability in order to detect not only an irregular heartbeat, but also overburdening and prolonged stress.

The Android-compatible device identifies individual heart beats and counts the interval between consecutive beats. The wearable technology also includes position and activity sensors.

The mobile tool has been tested by heart patients at Turku University Central Hospital, as well as by athletes with heart conditions.

In the tests, the Beat2Phone helped to detect atrial fibrillation, arrhythmia, and a cardiac conduction disorder. The patients were admitted for further tests once they had shown their electrocardiograms to a physician.

Source 

Topics:
Anatomy Cardiovascular system Computer software and hardware Diagnostics Medical Medical equipment and supplies Medical, health and wellness Medical, health, and wellness Patient Monitoring

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    This article first appeared in the December, 2016 issue of Medical Design Briefs Magazine.

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