Description:

RYTHMO is a wearable electrocardiography (ECG) device offering improved diagnosis and management by prioritising comfort and positive experience. RYTHMO improves on existing home monitors by condensing the wires and electrodes into one product, with no gels or adhesives needed on the skin.   

 
RYTHMO redefines cardiac monitoring with its wearable electrocardiography (ECG) device prioritising comfort and efficiency. Atrial fibrillation, marked by irregular atrial activity, raises the risk of stroke due to insufficient atrial contractions leading to clot formation. The likelihood of stroke is five times higher in individuals with atrial fibrillation. Despite a prevalence of 1 in 35 among New Zealanders aged 35-74, limited cardiac monitors result in a concerning nine-month delay for diagnostic access, posing additional health risks to patients. This design aims to improve the overall patient experience of diagnosing heart problems and aid with increasing accessibility.  

 
RYTHMO has an x-shaped design that allows the design to be worn by all genders. For maximum adjustability, there are straps on the waist and back for the perfect fit by a health professional (reducing the misuse of the product). The stretchy materiality allows for all-day comfort during activities as it can adapt and stay secure to the body throughout different movements. It also can withstand sweat due to the breathability properties of the lyocell tencel material and the use of dry electrodes. Further, the product can be cleaned during use as the material component can be easily separated from the technology hub for washing when dirty.  

 
Through research and interviewing professionals, the preliminary insight of ECG devices is that they are designed as functional devices. Their physical appearance demonstrates their medical and short-term use (with periods ranging from 24 hours to 21 days); thus, excess use of wires to a bulky device, iterating glues, and gels to keep electrodes on the skin and changing or removing daily activities to stop sweat production or water contact. The research highlighted high discomfort with the current solutions, with obvious signs of behaviour change in the patient when leaving clinics to prevent the electrodes from falling off. Due to this, I wanted to assist in providing more accessible and comfortable experiences with a product that reduces changes in patients' behaviour for more accurate ECG readings. 

RYTHMO assists the aging population with familiar cues and connecting methods to ensure ease of use if removing and putting on the device without professional assistance. The data recorded will be able to be stored within the device and transmitted via Wi-Fi to a portal where the doctor will be able to access previous records about the patient, current or recorded ECG data, order or return the product for refurbishing, and contact details. Although this process remains remarkably like the existing monitoring devices, it will allow the doctor to diagnose earlier as they have access during rather than at the end of the monitoring period.