Researchers at the University of Missouri have created a new heart monitor that sticks to the body with five arms, just like how a starfish holds onto things with its legs. The team, led by Sicheng Chen and Zheng Yan, designed this wearable heart monitor that is shaped like a starfish.
Each of the five arms of the device has built-in sensors that pick up both the electrical and mechanical activity of the heart. This helps the device stay in place and give better heart readings, even when the person wearing it is moving around.
Which means instead of needing lots of different devices or going to the clinic all the time, this one little wearable can tell you everything you need to know about your heart health. And since the device is Bluetooth-enabled, doctors can check the heart activity without patients having to leave home.
The team trained the AI with signals from both healthy people and those with heart conditions. Thanks to this smart AI, people can keep an eye on their heart and even spot early signs of heart problems with about 90% accuracy and this can be done even while you're walking around or doing everyday stuff. That means it can track your heart more accurately than a smartwatch or other wearables that might slip around.
Right now, the team is working on making the device more comfortable for long-term use. They’re developing a soft, breathable material so it won’t irritate your skin.
Though it’s still in the early stages, this starfish-inspired device could be a blessing for people who want an easier, more reliable way to keep an eye on their heart, whether they’re relaxing at home or going about their day. This device definitely be a great companion for regular monitoring of heart health
