An Inexpensive Chest Belt for measuring Respiratory Effort

Sleep significantly affects health and well-being, but sleep apnea and other breathing problems remain critical problems. Polysomnography (PSG), the standard diagnostic method, is often costly and uncomfortable and is performed in specialized sleep laboratories. The respiratory-induced plethysmography sensor, the benchmark for measuring respiratory effort in sleep diagnosis, is expensive, prompting the need for cheaper alternatives. This project aims to develop an affordable chest strap that uses a strain gauge to measure chest expansion for breathing effort. The goal is to integrate this technology into a home PSG device to detect sleep apnea comfortably. The sleeping position is also monitored for its potential impact on apnea. This chest strap records respiratory activity during sleep, with data processed for analysis to offer an effective alternative to traditional sleep diagnostics.