16.2 Wearable technology and health monitoring systems

Wearable tech is revolutionizing health monitoring. From fitness trackers to smartwatches, these devices use sensors to track activity, heart rate, and more. They're changing how we monitor our health, making it easier to stay on top of our well-being.

These gadgets are packed with cool tech like biosensors and low-power chips. They can measure everything from steps to sleep patterns, and even detect heart problems. It's like having a mini health lab right on your wrist!

Wearable Devices

Fitness Trackers and Smartwatches

Top images from around the web for Fitness Trackers and Smartwatches

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  Explore Smart Wearable Device Apps for Health and Fitness | Transmedia Newswire View original

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  Wearable Tech Trends - Activity Trackers and Smart Watches - CES 2014 View original

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  Smartwatches Lemfo View original

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  Explore Smart Wearable Device Apps for Health and Fitness | Transmedia Newswire View original

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  Wearable Tech Trends - Activity Trackers and Smart Watches - CES 2014 View original

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Top images from around the web for Fitness Trackers and Smartwatches

• 

  Explore Smart Wearable Device Apps for Health and Fitness | Transmedia Newswire View original

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• 

  Wearable Tech Trends - Activity Trackers and Smart Watches - CES 2014 View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Smartwatches Lemfo View original

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• 

  Explore Smart Wearable Device Apps for Health and Fitness | Transmedia Newswire View original

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• 

  Wearable Tech Trends - Activity Trackers and Smart Watches - CES 2014 View original

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• Fitness trackers monitor physical activity and health metrics (steps taken, calories burned, sleep patterns)
• Often include accelerometers to detect motion and orientation
• Smartwatches combine fitness tracking with smartphone-like features
  • Notifications, apps, and touchscreens
• Both devices typically connect to smartphones via Bluetooth for data syncing and analysis

Biosensors in Wearable Devices

• Biosensors measure physiological signals from the body
  • Chemical biosensors detect specific molecules (glucose, lactate)
  • Optical biosensors use light to measure heart rate and blood oxygen levels
• Accelerometers detect motion and orientation
  • Used for activity tracking, fall detection, and gesture recognition
• Biosensor data can be used to monitor health conditions and provide personalized feedback

Health Monitoring Sensors

Heart Rate and ECG Monitoring

• Heart rate monitors use optical sensors to detect pulse through skin
  • Photoplethysmography (PPG) measures changes in blood volume
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) sensors measure electrical activity of the heart
  • Provides detailed information about heart rhythm and can detect abnormalities
• Wearable ECG devices enable continuous, real-time monitoring outside clinical settings

Data Fusion and Machine Learning

• Data fusion combines data from multiple sensors to improve accuracy and robustness
  • Accelerometer and heart rate data can be combined to better estimate energy expenditure
• Machine learning algorithms can analyze sensor data to detect patterns and anomalies
  • Identify irregular heart rhythms or predict health events
• Personalized models can be trained on individual user data for more accurate predictions

Power Management

Low-Power Design Techniques

• Wearable devices require efficient power management for long battery life
• Low-power microcontrollers and sensors reduce energy consumption
• Duty cycling puts components into sleep mode when not in use
  • Periodic wake-up to perform measurements or transmit data
• Dynamic voltage and frequency scaling adjusts performance based on workload

Wireless Connectivity and Battery Management

• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is a common wireless protocol for wearables
  • Designed for low power consumption and short-range communication
• BLE enables intermittent data transmission to conserve energy
• Battery management systems monitor and optimize battery usage
  • Fuel gauges estimate remaining battery capacity
  • Charging circuits protect against overcharging and regulate voltage
• Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are widely used in wearable devices