Therapeutic hypertension system based on a microbreathing pressure sensor system

Ziji Diao¹, Hongying Liu¹, Lan Zhu¹, Xiaoqiang Gao¹, Suwen Zhao¹, Xitian Pi^1,2, Xiaolin Zheng^1,2
1Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Chongqing University, Ministry of Education, Chongqing; ²Key Laboratories for National Defense Science and Technology of Innovative Micronano Devices and System Technology, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China

Background and methods: A novel therapeutic system for the treatment of hypertension was developed on the basis of a slow-breath training mechanism, using a microbreathing pressure sensor device for the detection of human respiratory signals attached to the abdomen. The system utilizes a single-chip AT89C51 microcomputer as a core processor, programmed by Microsoft Visual C++6.0 to communicate with a PC via a full-speed PDIUSBD12 interface chip. The programming is based on a slow-breath guided algorithm in which the respiratory signal serves as a physiological feedback parameter. Inhalation and exhalation by the subject is guided by music signals.
Results and conclusion: Our study indicates that this microbreathing sensor system may assist in slow-breath training and may help to decrease blood pressure.

Keywords: hypertension, microbreathing sensor, single-chip microcomputer, slow-pace breathing