Portable ECG CardioSense could give early warning of heart attack
Researchers at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya have developed the first electrocardiograph (ECG) device able to provide information on the heart and main arteries' mechanical function and elasticity. Known as CardioSense, the device uses metal sensors to detect the velocity of a patient's arterial pulse wave and its time lag in relation to the ECG signal. The combined data can be used to give specialists an indication of the heart's contractility. In addition, the technology can facilitate earlier diagnoses of cardiac events, even in areas without access to medical resources, the researchers said.

By Suzanne Hodsden

Image courtesy of Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)

A novel electrocardiograph (ECG) device uses metal sensors in contact with the user’s hands or feet to collect actionable data in under a minute. The device’s Spanish developers claim that the affordable and easy-to-use technology could facilitate earlier diagnosis of cardiac events, even in remote locations with low medical resources, or the patient’s home.

An ECG measures electrical activity of the heartbeat and can be used to diagnose conditions such as arrhythmias, suspected myocardial infarctions, or pulmonary embolism. Several portable and handheld ECG devices currently exist on the market, and are used to monitor patients post-operatively or in the home (for patients at high risk for a cardiac event). Last year, the FDA cleared InfoBionic’s wearable ECG monitor, designed to detect cardiac arrhythmia, and QardioCore, also designed as a wearable, can continuously transmit ECG data to connected smart devices.

Technology developed at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) differs from existing technology in that it not only detects cardiac rhythm, it also can provide information on the heart and main arteries’ mechanical function and elasticity. According to researchers, the device can detect the velocity of arterial pulse wave (APW) and measure the time lag between the APW and the ECG signal to give medical specialists a good indication of the heart’s contractility.

Further advantages of the device, called CardioSense, include its ease of use without the assistance of a trained medical professional. Once collected, the diagnostic data can be transmitted wirelessly to medical specialists for interpretation in less than 60 seconds. According to the researchers, these metal plate sensors could be incorporated into mobile phones, watch straps, steering wheels, or bathroom scales — any device that can come into contact with both hands and feet simultaneously.

Early diagnosis is hindered by the cost, complexity, and size of diagnostic equipment, said researchers. By making technology that is easier to use and more affordable, the team intends to reduce the number of deaths caused annually by cardiovascular disease (CVD), which currently represent 31 percent of global deaths each year, said the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO estimates that three-quarters of global deaths caused by CVD occur in low- and middle-income countries.

Ramon Pallàs and his team have secured patents for the sensors in the U.S., Spain and China and currently have patent applications under review in Japan, Korea, India, and Europe. Researchers intend to debut the device at the Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona this week.

A recent report by Berg Insight estimates that the number of patients currently using remote monitoring devices jumped 44 percent to 7.1 million in 2016 and analysts project that number will be reach 50 million by 2021. Telehealth applications — including glucose, ECG, and medication adherence, represent the third-largest segment of growth on the market.

The FDA recently cleared a pocket-sized, wireless ultrasound scanner manufactured by Clarius Mobile Health, which connects via app to most consumer smart devices and is as “easy to use” as a digital camera.