Prototype Ear Plug Sensor Could Improve Monitoring of Vital Signs
From: R&D Magazine - 11/16/2017

Scientists have developed a sensor that fits in the ear, with the aim of
monitoring the heart, brain and lungs functions for health and fitness.

The device detected heart pulse by sensing the dilation and constriction of
tiny blood vessels in the ear canal, using the ‘mechanical’ part of the
electro-mechanical sensor. The electrode part of the sensor is used to detect
a full and clinically valid electrocardiogram, which records the electrical
activity of the heart.

The technology is still in its early development, but the researchers say the
device also has other potential applications such as in sleep science and
monitoring fatigue, epilepsy, drug delivery, and person authentication.

Read the entire article at:
https://www.rdmag.com/news/2017/11/prototype-ear-plug-sensor-could-improve-monitoring-vital-signs

Links:
Hearables: feasibility of recording cardiac rhythms from head and in-ear
  locations
http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/4/11/171214

Danilo Mandic
http://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/d.mandic