Wrist-worn platform for monitoring health parameters

This next-generation rapid prototyping, evaluation and development platform, also known as MAXREFDES101#, brings the ability to monitor electrocardiogram (ECG), heart rate and body temperature to a wrist-worn wearable, saving up to six months in development time.

When it comes to wearables, a wrist-based device is convenient for users to wear daily. However, it has been challenging to derive precise ECG monitoring from the wrist (most alternatives require a wearable chest strap). In addition, getting accurate body temperature typically requires using a thermometer at another location. Through its proprietary sensor and health monitoring technology, Maxim has overcome these challenges in the HSP 2.0.

Enclosed in a watch casing, the wrist-based form factor enables HSP 2.0 to provide basic functionality out of the box, with body-monitoring measurements starting immediately. Data can be stored on the platform for patient evaluation or streamed to a PC for analysis later. Unlike other wearables, the data measurements collected by the HSP 2.0 can be owned by the wearer, alleviating data privacy concerns and allowing users to conduct their own data analysis. Also, because HSP 2.0 is an open platform, designers can evaluate their own algorithms on the board. In addition, the modular format is future proof to quickly accommodate new sensors over time.

HSP 2.0 includes the following products:

• MAX32630: DARWIN low-power microcontroller for wearables and internet of things (IoT) applications.
• MAX32664: Ultra-low-power biometric sensor hub with embedded heart-rate algorithm.
• MAX20303: Integrated and programmable power management solution designed for ultra-low-power wearable applications.
• MAX30205: Human body temperature sensor with ±0.1 degree Celsius accuracy.
• MAX30001: Ultra-low-power, single-channel integrated biopotential and bioimpedance analog front-end (AFE) solution for wearable applications.
• MAX86141: Ultra-low-power optical pulse oximeter and heart-rate sensor for wearables.

Advantages for designers

• Fast Time to Market: Fully working hardware and firmware with companion watch casing cuts design and validation time by up to six months. 
• High Accuracy: Only available solution to integrate clinical-grade ECG along with heart-rate and body-temperature measurements into a wrist-worn format.
• Arm Mbed Support: For efficient evaluation and rapid application prototyping, the Mbed environment provides a high level of abstraction to eliminate maintenance of software tools and provide an extensive library of open-source software.

“Wearables are metamorphosing from being much more than a fun device for health and fitness. New capabilities are enabling healthcare professionals to use them as virtual care monitoring devices to assess chronic conditions and evaluate overall well-being. Innovations such as Maxim’s Health Sensor Platform 2.0 are helping to drive this evolution toward more proactive healthcare,” said Roeen Roashan, senior analyst, healthcare technology, IHS Markit.

Andrew Baker, managing director, Industrial and Healthcare Business Unit, Maxim Integrated, added: “Patients and medical professionals are increasingly wanting more real-time exchange of accurate health data collected over an extended time frame, along with the ability to access this data from anywhere. Wearable and medical device manufacturers can turn to Maxim’s HSP 2.0 to create accurate, wrist-worn health monitoring solutions, shaving off up to six months of the typical development time.”

Health Sensor Platform 2.0, MAXREFDES101#, is available with hardware and firmware files for $399 at Maxim’s website and select franchised distributors. Arm Mbed also offers the hardware, firmware and microboard.