Open-Source Hardware in Measuring Cardiovascular Parameters: The of Evolution of Blood Pressure Monitors

Summary:
The digital blood pressure monitor is the most common home medical device after the thermometer. The reason for this is that a large percentage of the population suffers from hypertension (high blood pressure), which requires regular monitoring. Furthermore, they are much easier to use than the manual method involving a stethoscope, primarily because they do not require a trained person to perform the measurement. Despite their widespread use, you will rarely see a physician using a digital monitor; they will almost always opt for manual measurement with a stethoscope. Similar conclusions can be found in scientific literature, where the manual method is still considered the gold standard for non-invasive blood pressure measurement, even though it introduces the human factor of the person performing the measurement.

This lecture aims to explain the principles behind both the manual and automatic (digital monitors) methods of measuring blood pressure, to compare them, and to highlight the pros and cons of each. Additionally, the lecture will present an open-source hardware device developed to serve as a platform for experimenting and researching cardiac signals. This topic was the subject of a Master's thesis at the School of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade, titled: "Development of a System for Cardiographic Signal Measurement". During the lecture, the complete development process of the device will be showcased, ranging from electronics testing, PCB design, and 3D printing to writing software for the graphical user interface and signal analysis. In the spirit of open-source hardware, several different open-source devices and components will be exhibited and demonstrate showcasing the practical importance of sharing knowledge and technology within the engineering community.

Biography:
Miloš Rašić is an electrical and computer science engineer currently working as an electronics hardware engineer at Microsoft. He completed his Bachelor and Master academic studies at the School of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade. Throughout his career, he has gained engineering experience working on the development of industrial drones and robotic camera heads, as well as in a startup environment where he developed his own pocket-sized telemedical device. His work seamlessly integrates electronics design, firmware development, and mechanical design. He is an active member of the open-source hardware community.