Project Wrap-up

Testing & Validation

Basic Information about testing and validation can be found in the General Information page. Before your testing slot, make sure that you:

  • Arrive in time for your testing slot, with everything ready.
  • Have a clear testing plan
  • Are prepared to record the data (for example, an empty table to populate)
  • Have a plan on how to evaluate the system you have designed based on the data obtained. (e.g. how are you defining accuracy?)

Showcase

As mentioned in the General Information page, you will get the opportunity to showcase your work to Professor Mark Tooley. You do not need to prepare a formal presentation, but you could consider the following talking points:

  • What works well in your system and why?
  • What needs improvement?
  • If you had more time and resources, what would you do?

Returning the Equipment

Please make sure to return the following components to their designated boxes:

  • The Click Board
  • The OLED
  • Any components used for the Single-Waveform System

You are able to keep the PCB if you wish to as it can be used with other Click Boards for any other personal projects. If you do not wish to keep it, please return it to the designated box for Recycling.

Please ensure you sign the return log when you have returned the equipment.

Reflection

In conclusion, Photoplethysmography (PPG) is a key non-invasive optical technique with significant applications in healthcare. Its primary role in measuring blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, and other physiological parameters has made it an invaluable tool in all medical settings. PPG’s ability to provide real-time and continuous monitoring without the need for invasive procedures enhances patient comfort and allows for early detection of critical changes in health.

The importance of PPG in healthcare extends to its integration into wearable devices and medical instruments, such as pulse oximeters and fitness trackers. These devices empower individuals to monitor their health proactively and contribute to the growing field of telehealth.

Future directions for PPG research and application include:

  1. Enhanced Accuracy and Calibration: Continuous efforts are underway to improve the accuracy of PPG measurements, addressing factors such as environmental conditions, skin pigmentation, and motion artifacts. Refining calibration methods ensures the reliability of PPG data for clinical decision-making.

  2. Expanded Applications: PPG has shown promise beyond traditional cardiovascular monitoring. Ongoing research explores its potential in detecting various health conditions, including respiratory disorders, stress levels, and vascular health. This expansion broadens the scope of PPG in preventive healthcare.

  3. Integration with Artificial Intelligence: The integration of PPG with artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to enhance diagnostic capabilities. AI-driven analysis of PPG signals may enable more sophisticated insights into a patient’s health - leading to personalised healthcare approaches.

  4. Wearable Technology Advancements: Continued advancements in wearable technology, coupled with the miniaturisation of PPG sensors, contribute to the development of unobtrusive and user-friendly devices and facilitates long-term monitoring of health parameters in everyday life.

  5. Remote Patient Monitoring: The ongoing evolution of telehealth and remote patient monitoring platforms leverages PPG technology to enable healthcare providers to remotely assess patients’ vital signs and health status. This is particularly relevant in scenarios where in-person visits are challenging.

In summary, PPG plays a crucial role in our ability to monitor and manage health. Its continued development and integration into healthcare systems holds promise for improving patient outcomes, enabling early intervention, and contributing to the evolution of personalised and proactive healthcare practices.

Citations