Real time acquisition and PC to PC wireless transmission of human carotid pulse waveform

Carotid pulse is an established physiological parameter used to deduce cardiac information. Technological advances allow non-invasive measurement of carotid waveform, but involve complex electronics. Simple and relatively inexpensive method is devised here to acquire the carotid pulse. Measurements were made non-invasively on human subjects in various postures using piezoelectric sensor. Transducer output is interfaced directly to a computer in real time and carotid wave is viewed successfully on virtual oscilloscope. Stored data is digitally filtered, visually analyzed and transferred wirelessly from one computer to another using windows hyper-terminal and XBee RF transceiver module. Automated analysis algorithm can be further developed.