The relationship between temperature measured on the spree and the thermometer was completely nonexistent. Pearson's r value was -0.049, indicating that not only was there no positive correlation between the two, there was actually a slight negative relationship. The heart rate was marginally better, achieving only a Pearson's r value of 0.56. The spree only gives 4 levels of measurements for temperature, hardly an inspiring fact towards it's ability to accurately measure temperature. Other design flaws compounded the problems with the device. Connecting initially was difficult, although once accomplished we only lost connection once afterwards, and at a rather large distance. The aesthetics of the device are fine, and it's fair to say that the only design flaws are in the actual measuring of heart rate and temperature. Unfortunately, if the device fails in these things it doesn't matter very much how nice it looks or how comfortable it is to wear.

LAB 3B WRITE-UP

Target Population and Need

Target Population

The problem we have identified is asthma, especially in children up to age 7. Asthma is defined as a respiratory condition marked by spasms in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty breathing. The Center for Disease Control has found that more children (57%) than adults (51%) have experienced an asthma attack. About 185 children died from asthma in 2007. Additionally, the American Lung Association has estimated that in 2008, asthma was one of the leading causes for school absences and continues to create a large problem for parents and children. Sadly, about 25.9 million Americans have asthma and about 9.1 million of those are children.

Our product, Asthmalarm, addresses the need for an early detection system for asthma attacks in children before they suffer from any consequences of their asthma attacks. Children, especially infants, face difficulties when experiencing their asthma attacks early in life. Asthmalarm helps with this issue by alarming parents about their child's heart attack before its too late. The device utilizes a unique system of sensors that can detect breathing and heart rate along with SPO2 levels to predict an asthma attack.