Health-Zero:

Design of Bandage-Sized Wireless Sensors and Effect of Ambient Displays on Social Support and Diabetes Management

By

Akshay Mohan

B.Tech. Materials Science

Indian Institute of Technology – Kanpur, 2002

Submitted to the Program in Media, Arts and Sciences,

School of Architecture and Planning, in partial

fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

Master of Science in Media Arts and Sciences

At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

September 2004

© 2004 Massachusetts Institute of Technology

All rights reserved

Author: Akshay Mohan

Programs in Media Arts and Sciences

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

August 6, 2004

Certified by: Rosalind W. Picard

Associate Professor of Media Technology

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Thesis Supervisor

Accepted by: Andrew B. Lippman

Chair, Departmental Committee on Graduate Studies

Program in Media Arts and Sciences

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Health-Zero:

Design of Bandage-Sized Wireless

Sensors and Effect of Ambient

Displays on Social Support and Diabetes Management

Akshay Mohan

Submitted to the Program in Media, Arts and Sciences,

School of Architecture and Planning, on August 14, 2004, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

Master of Science in Media Arts and Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Abstract

Health-Zero refers to health technology design that focus on interaction with an individual as a whole to promote well-being. This thesis presents two explorations in the discipline. The first exploration involves the design of a wireless bandage-sized ECG sensor to create a personal and inter-personal network of health sensors. The second exploration designs and evaluates an ambient blood glucose level visualization and feedback system for diabetes self-care and social support, where the latter is provided by a friend or family member of an individual with diabetes. This thesis provides insight into using technology to enable an individual to leverage his environment and inter-personal relationships for self-care and prevention.

Health-Zero:

Design of Bandage-Sized Wireless Sensors and Effect of Ambient Displays on Social Support and Diabetes Management

By

Akshay Mohan

Rosalind W. Picard

Associate Professor of Media Arts and Sciences

Program in Media Arts and Sciences

thesis advisor Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Joseph A. Paradiso

Associate Professor of Media Arts and Sciences

Program in Media Arts and Sciences

thesis reader Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Alex P. Pentland

Toshiba Professor of Media Arts and Sciences

Program in Media Arts and Sciences

thesis reader Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Acknowledgements

Contents

1.  Beginning

  1. Introduction
  2. Motivation
  3. Methodology
  4. Health-Zero

2.  Framework

3.  Perspective

4.  Exploration A

5.  Exploration B

6.  Conclusions

7.  Future of Health-Zero

8.  Reality Bytes

9.  References

10.  Appendices

  1. Appendix : Bill of Materials for ECG Sensor
  2. Appendix : Schematics
  3. Appendix: Health-Zero Ambient System
  4. Appendix : Study Recruitment Materials
  5. Appendix : Study Consent Forms
  6. Appendix : Study Instruments
  7. Appendix : Response to Questionnaires
  8. Appendix : Installation Instructions
  9. Appendix : Interpretation Sheets
  10. Appendix : Study Expenditure
  11. Appendix : Glossary



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