Electronics Engineering: Flexible Cardiac Sensor Development Project

This project report details the development of a flexible cardiac sensor, undertaken at SASTRA University. The project aimed to create a sensor for monitoring electrocardiography (ECG) signals, with the goal of detecting irregularities wirelessly. The report outlines the project's objectives, including the development of the sensor, ECG signal monitoring, irregularity detection, and sensor performance analysis. The student's role involved topic selection, documentation, and assisting in sensor performance analysis. The report details the components used, such as ECG modules, Arduino, and wireless modules, and the engineering knowledge applied. Challenges included sourcing raw materials due to the university's location, which were overcome through strategic planning and resourcefulness. The project involved setting up circuits, fabricating circuits, and incorporating sensors. The report concludes with a review of the project's successful completion through collaborative efforts, highlighting the student's contributions and the application of electronics engineering skills. The project successfully developed a flexible cardiac sensor and addressed the challenges faced during its completion.

CE 1.1 Project Information
Name of the project: Flexible Cardiac Sensor Development
Location of the project: Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy
(SASTRA) University (Electronics Engineering), Tanjore
Project Duration: From September of 2011 to December of 2011
Organization: Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA)
University
Role and Designation during the time: Team Member of the project
CE 1.2 Project Background
CE 1.2.1 Characteristics of the project
The project of Flexible Cardiac Sensor Development was the first major project in my
engineering career. The main aim of this project was to develop a sensor that would help in
reading the heart beats of human beings. It supervised the entire signal of ECG or
Electrocardiography with the eventual help of the two fabricated electrode patches for finding
any type of indiscretion within the signal. When any kind of discrepancy is found in the ECG
signal, the information is sent wirelessly to any computer system by utilizing a specific wireless
module. Three distinct electrode systems are utilized for obtaining any type of electrical signal
from the human heart.

CE 1.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
The project of Flexible Cardiac Sensor Development had several specific objectives. The
main objectives for the project are as follows:
 To develop a cardiac sensor
 To monitor the signal of electrocardiography
 To search any type of irregularity in ECG
 To analyze the performance of sensors
CE 1.2.3 My area of work
My first task was to select a topic for our project. As this was my first project, I was extra
cautious about the topic of the project. I chose the topic of Flexible Cardiac Sensor Development
as cardiac sensors are the most important tool in medical field. My next area of work was to
complete the documentation part in the entire project. I knew that if the report will not be made
perfectly, it is evident that the rest of the project will also be a failure. Hence, it was my
responsibility to make the project with perfectness and sincerity. As this my first big project, my
project leader and all the fellow team members helped me out in understanding the project
completely and complete the documentation part. My next work was to assist my project leader
for analyzing the performance of those sensors.

CE 1.2.4 Project Group
Figure 1: People involved in the project
CE 1.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
I was given the responsibility to decide the topic of the project. After several
brainstorming sessions with my team members, I selected the project of Flexible Cardiac Sensor
Development. The second responsibility that I had in the project was documentation. I made sure
that the report was made perfectly and it contained every detail of the project. I wanted to
provide good results for the finding all kinds of irregularities in the ECG signals. Moreover, I
was given the responsibility for noting any type of discrepancy in the signals of ECG. Since the
project was related to heart, I gave special attention to the documentation part. Next, I intended
to do the analysis of the overall performance of cardiac sensors, which would be fabricated by
utilizing the Graphene deposition on a vulcanized rubber, the normal electrode of AgCl gel and
the AgCl incorporated with the graphene powder. The raw materials of this project were not

easily available due to the remote position of our university. It was my responsibility to arrange
each and every material of the project.
CE 1.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 1.3.1 Comprehending the theory of the project
Flexible cardiac sensor development is a project that helps in the analysis of any type of
irregularity in the electrocardiography signal. Latest services and devices in medical field that
eventually enables the health care of any particular citizen irrespective of the place and time are
estimated in future. The ECG or electrocardiography is a distinct diagnostic device, which is
regularly utilized for assessing the muscular and electrical functionalities of the human heart. In
this particular project, we had proposed a specific wearable sensor of ECG, which would have
the ability in monitoring all the electrical impulses of human heart and further send it to cloud by
means of wireless technology. The equipments that were required for the project are as follows:
1) ECG Module (AD8232)
2) Arduino Uno
3) Power supply
4) ECG Electrode Connector -3.5 mm
5) Connecting Wires
6) 3 pieces of ECG Electrodes

Figure 2: Components Required
Figure 3: Components required for the project
For the achievement of outstanding capacitive coupling, capacitance value should be
moderately high. For the perfect powering up of a system, since the cardiac sensor would be
utilized for the long term monitoring, it is extremely vital that a higher capacity battery be
utilized for ensuring that it does not require to be altered or even recharged frequently. We
had even planned to utilize a typical battery of 3V Lithium Ion for the power of the circuit.

CE 1.3.2 Engineering knowledge and skills applied in the project
I had utilized my electronics engineering skills for the successful completion of the
project. In the beginning, I was not sure about the project; however, soon my doubts were clear.
My critical thinking power has immensely helped me in understanding the flexible cardiac
sensor development perfectly.
CE 1.3.3 Accomplishment and task performed
The project of flexible cardiac sensor development was accomplished successfully with
the help of my team members, team leader and head of the department. A Low power Bluetooth
is a specific wireless module that we had planned in integration with the cardiac sensor. The
information that was eventually sent through the module of Bluetooth was further retrieved from
any system.
Alterations in the parameters of electrocardiography with various Heart Diseases:
 Abnormal effect of Parameter on Heart
 Peaked T wave, Long PR,
 QRS wide, QT short Hyperkalemia
 Prominent U waves Hypokalemia
 Incremented HR Tachycardia
 Reduced HR Bradycardia
 Incremented QRS Bundle branch block
 Incremented PR AV block

A specific low power microcontroller integrated with one low-operating voltage range
and also an entrenched 10 bit analog to digital converter samples a specific analog
electrocardiography signal at the rate of 500 samples per second and then further transmits the
signal to the transceiver.
Figure 4: Schematic diagram of the architecture of Electrocardiography system and
electrodes on human body
Figure 5: Body Equivalent circuit Model and Body-Electrode interface

CE 1.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
1.3.4.1 Issues
The main issue or problem that this project of flexible cardiac sensor development had
was the problem in collection of the raw materials. My university is located in Tanjore, which is
an extremely remote place in India. This created a major problem in procuring the raw materials
for the project as the project was getting delayed. Moreover, the funding of the entire project was
extremely high and we had to face various difficulties in overcoming those problems.
1.3.4.2 Solutions
I had utilized my power of critical thinking and intellect for solving all the above-
mentioned problems easily and smoothly. I convinced my head of the department with the
promise that the project will be a major success in the medical field. The next problem was the
collection of raw materials. I had some of my friends in the city. I called them up and thus the
raw materials were arranged successfully without more delay.
CE 1.3.5 Plan to produce creative and innovative work
We have planned to produce creative and innovative work for the proposed project. This
plan was completely made by me. The main plan of the project was as follows:
1. Purchasing of Components: At first, we had purchased the components.
2. Setting up the circuit: The second stage was the most crucial part, where we had to set up
the entire circuit. We knew that if the circuit will not be set properly, the project would
not be a successful one.
3. Fabrication of Circuit: The fabrication of circuit was the third stage.

4. Incorporation of sensor with any fabric or body: Next, we had to incorporate the sensor
with any fabric or body.
5. Analysis of Data: The data analysis was the fifth stage of our plan. I and one of my team
members were given the responsibility of collecting the primary and secondary data and
do this analysis perfectly.
6. Checking accuracy of the circuit output: The final stage was the checking of accuracy of
the circuit output.
CE 1.4 Project Review
CE 1.4.1 Project Overview
This project of Flexible Cardiac Sensor Development was completed successfully with
the collaborative work of my team members and project leader. At first, the raw materials of the
project were collected with difficulties for the remote location of my university. However, I was
successful in collecting them properly. Next, we made a proper plan for the completion of the
project. I made sure that the project plan was followed firmly. The analysis of data was done
after several discussions. Finally, the project was completed with our electronics engineering
knowledge and skills.