| The innovative project by fourth-year student Stephen Doyle will be showcased on Wednesday at the university’s annual exhibition of honours and research projects for students of electronic and electrical engineering, physics and mechanical engineering.
Although Stephen’s project demonstrates that it can work without the need for a blood pressure armband or electrodes — which are stuck to the skin to measure the heart’s electrical impulses — it may be some time before it can be considered for production.
Senior lecturer in the department, Brian Lawrenson, said the method worked by shining infra-red light through the lobe of the ear. The increase in pressure when the heart beats causes a momentary increase in the amount of blood in the small arteries of the lobe and this reduces the light, which passes through the lobe. The amount of light passing through is then measured by a detector and the results analysed by computer.
Mr Lawrenson said the basic facts of increases in pressure had been known for two centuries, but Stephen’s concept was interesting, particularly if it avoided contact with the patient.
However, Mr Lawrenson said, at the moment, it was a pilot project and not in sight as a practical tool. |
