A radar system developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada can wirelessly monitor the breathing and heart rate of sleep apnea patients, according to a recent study published in IEEE Access.
The device houses technology that not only collects data about sleeping patients from radar waves but also analyzes that data using complex algorithms. Since it is the size of a smartphone and completely wireless, patients could be monitored from the comfort of their own homes.
In the study, more than 50 patients slept under the ceiling-mounted device. The radar unit produced breathing and heart rate data with more than 90 percent accuracy when compared to standard hard-wired equipment.
According to researchers, the device could also be used to measure the heart and breathing rates of patients without sleep apnea and the activity levels of elderly patients, and to monitor conditions such as restless leg syndrome and seizures.
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