The current prototype of the flagship ThermaTracker is designed with user comfort in mind and uses wireless radio technology so that another responsible party can keep track of the user’s health ensuring maximum compliance with minimal user effort.

The ThermaTracker was developed with specific users in mind, namely firefighters, military personnel, and football players, who are all at increased risk of heat illness.  These individuals share the commonality of wearing helmets during their activity, so the device was design to be easily integrated into a helmet for the user’s convenience. Users will be able to bring the ThermaTracker with them onto the field or on the job without any extra equipment.

The ThermaTracker monitors the user’s heart rate and core body temperature. Heart rate is detected through photoplethysmography (PPG), the same technology used by hospitals in pulse oximeters.  Detectors embedded in the padding of the helmet sense changes in blood volume and use this information to accurately calculate heart rate.  Core body temperature is measured in the ear with an IR sensor, just like instant in-ear thermometers. The sensor is held in place by a specially-designed ear bud which does not block hearing. Data from the two sensors is sent via radio signal to any computer which can be up to 1 mile away.

Side view of the latest football-helmet-integrated ThermaTracker design. The circuitry can be seen on the back of the helmet and the ear-piece for the thermometer can be seen dangling out of the right side of the helmet.

View of the back side of the latest football-helmet-integrated ThermaTracker design being worn. The circuitry can be seen on the back of the helmet and the ear-piece for the thermometer is inside the helmet in the wearer's right ear. The Arduino microcontroller queries the thermometer and heart rate sensor and sends the information wirelessly through the XBee radio frequency transmitter to the computer running the ThermaTracker software. To the right of the Arduino and XBee is the circuitry running the heart rate sensor.

Inside view of the latest football-helmet-integrated ThermaTracker design. In the forehead padding of the helmet, a photodiode (infrared light sensor) can be seen in between two smaller infrared LEDs. These components are the sensors for the heart rate circuit and connect to the PPG circuit seen in the previous picture.

Close-up view of the in-ear thermometer being worn inside the ear with the helmet off. The earpiece fits snuggly and is designed similar to ear-bud headphones. Its blunt shape ensures that any trauma to the helemet will not cause the earpiece to damage the sensitive inner ear. Also, by popular opinion, there is no noticable loss of hearing when the earpiece is in.

The software comes with a simple, easy-to-use interface which displays the user’s current temperature and heart rate and also shows a graph of the recent changes in these two measurements. Upon loading the software, the user is prompted to enter basic information, and then the ThermaTracker automatically calculates safe threshold values for heart rate and temperature. If the user exceeds these values by having an unsafe temperature or heart rate, a warning flashes on the screen with advice on how to help the user return to a safe condition. If the warning is ignored, a second alert will activate, advising that the user cease all physical activity immediately, because they are in imminent danger of heat illness. 

Actual-size screenshot of heart rate max calculation screen on the ThermaTracker computer monitoring interface. ThermaTracker HR Max Caculation (Screenshot)	Simulated view of the ThermaTracker graphical user interface while monitoring a user's core temperature and heart rate. ThermaTracker Monitoring Interface (Simulated)
Simulated warning message on the ThermaTracker graphical user interface when user is approaching a dangerously high core temperature. ThermaTracker Temperature Warning (Simulated)	Simulated alarm on the ThermaTracker graphical user interface when user has reached a dangerously high core temperature. ThermaTracker Temperature Alarm (Simulated)

Features:

Three previous ideas were considered for the ThermaTracker.

Idea 1 was perfect for runners because of its small size and light weight. It also displays the information on the user’s wrist. It measures heart rate at the thumb, and temperature in the ear.

Idea 2 was also designed with runners in mind. It measures both vital signs at the ear, and transmits data via Bluetooth to a small receiving unit.

Idea 3 was ideal for firefighters, football players, and military personnel. The helmet provides space to house the sensors, batteries, and wireless transmitter. It also relies on an external computer with greater computing ability than a small portable processor.

Idea 1 was perfect for runners because of its small size and light weight. It also displays the information on the user’s wrist. It measures heart rate at the thumb, and temperature in the ear. Idea 1

Idea 2 was also designed with runners in mind. It measures both vital signs at the ear, and transmits data via Bluetooth to a small receiving unit. Idea 2

Idea 3 was ideal for firefighters, football players, and military personnel. The helmet provides space to house the sensors, batteries, and wireless transmitter. It also relies on an external computer with greater computing ability than a small portable processor. This was the initial design idea of off which the current prototype is based. Idea 3

Video Demo:

Files:

	Midterm Presentation (First Semester)		Business Plan
	Final Presentation (First Semester)		Design Summary
	Midterm Presentation (Second Semester)		Design Poster