PPG embedded system for blood pressure monitoring

In this work, we have designed and implemented a microcontroller-based embedded system for blood pressure monitoring through a PhotoPlethysmoGraphic (PPG) technique. In our system, it is possible to perform PPG measurements via reflectance mode. Hardware novelty of our system consists in the adoption of Silicon PhotoMultiplier detectors. The signal received from the photodetector is used to calculate the instantaneous heart rate and therefore the heart rate variability. The obtained results show that, by using our system, it is possible to easily extract both the PPG and the breath signal. These signals can be used to monitor the patients during the convalescence both in hospital and at home.