Application of Human Factors Engineering Principles to the Design and Development of Medical Wearable Sensor for Cardiac Monitoring

The paper discusses the principles of human-centered design applied to the development of a medical wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) patch-like system. The following design issues are taken under consideration. Firstly, how to design wearable suitable for people of different size, gender and age. Secondly, how to ensure proper signal detection, both tactile and visual. Thirdly, how to provide reliable physical connections between the element of the hardware piece (electronics, adhesive base, housing). Fourthly, how to reach intuitiveness of the user-system interface. Fifthly, how to achieve appearance more of a consumer product rather than a medical device, as many people prefer such systems to be small, convenient, comfortable and give no indications about its actual function. Design decisions throughout the development cycle are based on analysis of several available sensors with analogous purpose.