[LINK] ECG everywhere

[Frank O'Connor]

I've already got an App for this called CardioGraph ... a freebie from the App Store a couple of years back.

It's a bit flakey though.

Basically the idea is to place finger on iPhone/iPad camera lens (the app activates the light behind the lens) and the App will read your heart rate over whatever period you activate it for. Shows results on a a 'paper tray' and LCD which resembles the print-out on a real pulse measuring machine, calculates averages and the like, can store histories and other relevant data over time.

Seems to work OK and looks to be pretty accurate ... except for when ambient light, excessive pressure or other external variables get in the way.

Still, it's always good to know one's heart is beating ... I mean ... the alternative doesn't bear thinking about.       :)

Haven't come across anything similar for my Samsung Galaxy ... but there's probably something similar out there in the AndroidOsphere.
---
On 24/02/2013, at 3:20 PM, stephen at melbpc.org.au wrote:

> Here's a new take on apps .. an app analyzing smartphone-case ECG sensors.
> 
> US Patent : <http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/patog/week44/OG/html/1383-
> 5/US08301232-20121030.html>
> 
> 
> "An ECG device comprising: nan electrode assembly configured to sense 
> heart-related signals upon contact with a user's skin, and to convert the 
> sensed heart-related signals to ECG electrical signals wherein the 
> electrode assembly is positioned on an outer surface of a smartphone 
> protective case"
> 
> 
> Media Report : <http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=patent-
> watch-heart-monitor-your-phone>
> 
> "After several clinical trials, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration 
> approved Patent no. 8,301,232 for use last November. 
> 
> The patent describes an electrocardiogram (ECG) device that snaps in place 
> around a smartphone, currently the iPhone 4 or 4S, like a protective cover. 
> 
> The case is embedded with sensors and electronics that measure the 
> electrical activity of the heart. Users can record their heart rate by 
> placing their fingers on the sensors. An ultrasonic signal relays data from 
> the monitor to the smartphone and the AliveECG app. 
> 
> A distant physician can also examine the pattern over a secure wireless 
> connection. The readout is not as complete as a typical 12-lead ECG, but 
> the smartphone version provides an accurate proxy in tests.
> 
> “The ECG is a valuable and extremely well understood way of assessing the 
> heart and allowing us to diagnose problems,” Albert says. “We wanted to put 
> that power into the pocket of any physician, nurse, EMT—and ultimately give 
> power to the patient as well.”
> 
> The display still requires a trained eye to decipher, but the company is 
> rolling out improvements. For example, one pending patent details a 
> software enhancement that automatically detects atrial fibrillation,
> a common arrhythmia responsible for one third of all strokes .."
> 
> Cheers,
> Stephen
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