Body Mass Index (BMI) Effect on Oximeter Readings Based on Intra-Body Communication (IBC) for Home Healthcare Monitoring System

This paper investigates the influence of Body Mass Index (BMI) on oximeter readings within an intra-body communication (IBC) home healthcare monitoring system. With a growing concern over heart-related fatalities due to a shortage of medical professionals and a high patient load, our project aims to address this issue. We have developed a monitoring system that includes a heart rate sensor and an accelerometer to detect falls. Additionally, we've incorporated an oximeter sensor to measure heartbeats, which are transmitted through the body and displayed on an OLED screen. Our rigorous testing confirmed the functionality of the wearable device. We then conducted an extensive analysis of the oximeter sensor's performance across four BMI levels. Results showed that individuals categorized as underweight or normal weight produced accurate sensor readings. However, those classified as overweight or obese exhibited errors in the received data. In conclusion, a higher BMI corresponds to increased inaccuracies in the IBC system readings, highlighting a connection between BMI levels and IBC precision. For future IBC designs, it is imperative for designers to consider the user's BMI level as a critical factor to enhance accuracy.