StressBuddy

This project was a collaborative effort completed in my Development and Analysis of BME Design course (Spring 2022). Each team member was assigned an aspect of the project to focus on (besides the written reports) based on their strengths. I was responsible for designing the StressBuddy bracelet in Autodesk Fusion360 based on research from existing similar devices/potential competitors, and input from team members. ​

 

Problem Statement

Design a non-invasive "wearable" device to measure something on the human body.  The device would be typically marketed directly toward consumers rather than to health care providers. 

​

What is the StressBuddy?

Users will be able to quickly and continually check their stress levels with the help of our device, the StressBuddy, and take appropriate action to lower it. Continuous monitoring is crucial because stress has been linked to a number of cardiovascular conditions, such as high blood pressure, stroke, and heart failure. Young adults between the ages of 17 and 25 who frequently experience stress as a result of college assignments, graduate school, or employment make up the target market. We specifically target health-conscious young individuals who want to track their stress levels while attending classes or working in order to lessen the hazards connected to long-term stress. We think this market could particularly benefit from a device of this kind because young adults are frequently subjected to very high stress levels on a daily basis as a result of homework, tests, and extracurricular activities. The device can also operate as a mitigating element in helping to lower stress levels and promote general wellness from a young age because our planned target age range has the highest levels of stress compared to other age groups. 

​

The StressBuddy bracelet will be able to track stress levels actively and deliver alerts when necessary. A smartphone app that works in conjunction with the device will give users a real-time reading of their stress levels based on variations in heart rate. The device will vibrate and light up to alert the user to take a break and reference the smartphone app for stress-relieving activities when they are under a lot of stress. The user would be able to keep track of their stress levels throughout study sessions and daily life and take action as needed. Additionally, the app will permit the exchange of biometric information with the user's consent. Heart rate variability, a variable that has been demonstrated to be closely connected with stress levels, will be used by StressBuddy to guage stress. Specifically, the device will use a PPG sensor to record volumetric fluctuations in blood flow and the quantity of systolic waves each minute in order to calculate the standard deviation of the user's heart rate interval over a five-minute period.