Dr. George Shaker, an engineer with over 20 years of experience in radio waves, has developed a groundbreaking radar device with his team at the University of Waterloo. This small, unobtrusive device could revolutionize heart health monitoring by detecting potential cardiac issues before they become life-threatening. Shaker imagines a future where everyday objects, such as office chairs, cars, and couches, not only support us but also serve as early warning systems for heart problems.
The radar system works by emitting radar waves from a cellphone-sized device attached to a seat. These waves bounce off the body, detecting tiny chest movements caused by a beating heart. A sophisticated AI-powered algorithm analyzes these movements to create a heartbeat profile, flagging any deviations that could indicate health risks. The technology can detect issues like prolonged QTc intervals, a marker of serious cardiac events, with medical-grade accuracy.
Unlike wearable devices, this radar system operates continuously in the background, monitoring heart health without the need for charging or maintenance. Its potential to be integrated into everyday items makes it a promising tool for preventive health care, offering a cost-effective, non-invasive solution to monitor heart health in real time.
The radar system has been tested in experimental setups. The system has shown accuracy comparable to medical-grade electrocardiograms (ECGs), and it can monitor heart-rate variability (HRV) with millisecond precision. The technology has been tested in various configurations, including a seat radar setup, where it successfully registered small chest movements to create heartbeat profiles.
The research team is also working on expanding their testing to include subjects with a range of cardiovascular conditions to further validate the system’s effectiveness. While the device has demonstrated promising results, ongoing efforts aim to refine its integration with AI and improve its predictive capabilities.
Article written by Media team
18/03/2025
Source:
Waterloo University
https://uwaterloo.ca/news/media/smart-radar-device-warns-serious-heart-issues