Design and Implementation of Photo-induced Heart Beat Monitoring System

This study presents the design of photo-induced heart beat monitor that uses cheap and readily available materials unlike most of all the rather sophisticated heart beat monitoring devices that uses complicated designs and therefore needs the help of an expert to carry out the exercise and also to do the interpretation for users, this device is simple, portable, affordable and easy to operate. This is based on principle and technique of measuring the heart beat with the method of photo induction, through a fingertip using a PIC16F877A Microcontroller interface to a Digital Display for data logging and further analysis of signals generated as a result of such activities. The circuit designed is made up of different stages which involve sensing the Finger Tip through Infrared Receiver; Filtering the Signal, thereby measuring the Heartbeat with the PIC16F877A Microcontroller; calculating through the connected Local Clock Signal and displaying the Result through the 2 X 16 Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Output. It is therefore a useful design for everyone that wishes to stay healthy and monitor their heart rate for early detection of hypertension and heart related ailments. This design is highly versatile and economical. It can be used everywhere at anytime. It is safe, convenient and easy to use.