Project
Thyroid Storm Predictor System
Role
Designer & Engineer
TImeline
4 Weeks
tools
P5.js, BBC micro:bits, Pulse sensor, 220Ω Resistors, Neopixelds, OLED screen, custom 3D-prints
Summary
People diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, a condition where there is an excess of the thyroid hormone, are vulnerable to Thyroid Storms (TS). TS is a sudden medical emergency where all the symptoms of hyperthyroidism happen at extreme levels at once, creating unbearable conditions and can even lead to death.
This system aims to predict oncoming symptoms of TS by constantly autonomously monitoring key symptoms. The stylish and functional wearable components were fabricated using 3D printing while the display was assembled with laser-cut cardboard.
The data collected from the built-in sensors can also be saved and uploaded to the accompanying web-based dashboard, which the user can use to visualises the overall trends and even share this vital health data with their doctors.
Pain Points
Triggers such as stress can cause distressing symptoms such as fevers due to heat intolerance, sudden increase in body sweat, abnormal heart rhythm. To prevent these symptoms from escalating to fatal levels, patients must take action to relieve symptoms as early as possible, making time a crucial factor in these scenarios.
Further, people with this condition currently must resort to expensive smart watches or manual data logging apps. This novel system provides a targeted solution for people with thyroid conditions, given those affected, their loved ones, and their doctors to a shared understanding of their real-time condition and a look into their health history.
Fatal Symptoms
Patients experience highly distressing and potentially fatal symptoms like fevers from heat intolerance, sweating, and abnormal heart rhythms.
Time Sensitivity
Time is a crucial, high-stakes factor because patients must take action to relieve symptoms as early as possible to prevent them from escalating to fatal levels.
Expensive Solutions
Patients are forced to either resort to expensive commercial smartwatches or rely on tedious, manual data-logging apps.
Solution
The Thyroid Storm Predictor System incorporates wearable arm cuff and a digitally fabricated display. The sensors on the arm cuff tracks the user’s heart rate and body temperature. This data is wirelessly sent to the display where the user's condition is mapped to 3 states: normal, storm warning, and currently storming. Based on the user’s current state, a light inside the display is triggered in real-time, warning the user and the people around them, such as family and caregivers, about their condition.
