Wearable magnetic heart sensors for better rhythm monitoring
Additive Manufacturing Wearable Magnetic Sensors: Revolutionizing Cardiac Health Monitoring with Machine Learning for Arrhythmia Classification
This project will create low-cost, chest-worn magnetic sensors plus smart computer programs to help spot abnormal heart rhythms in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Tech University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lubbock, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11095607 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project aims to replace bulky, cryogen-cooled magnetocardiography machines with 3D-printed organic magnetic sensors that can be worn on the chest. Engineers will combine these sensors with machine-learning algorithms to recognize normal and abnormal heart rhythms, including arrhythmias. The team will develop prototypes, record heart magnetic signals, and train and test the algorithms using those signals and clinical examples. The work focuses on making magnetic heart monitoring more portable and affordable so it could be used outside specialized labs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with known or suspected arrhythmias, unexplained palpitations, or who need extended rhythm monitoring would be the best candidates.
Not a fit: People without heart rhythm concerns or those who require the current clinical standard SQUID magnetocardiography in shielded labs may not receive direct benefit from this early device development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make more detailed heart rhythm monitoring widely available and improve detection of arrhythmias outside hospitals.
How similar studies have performed: Clinical SQUID-based magnetocardiography has demonstrated value for detecting cardiac signals, but wearable additive-manufactured OgMR sensors combined with machine learning are a novel and largely untested approach.
Where this research is happening
Lubbock, United States
- Texas Tech University — Lubbock, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Kai — Texas Tech University
- Study coordinator: Wu, Kai
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.