Research infrastructure

Physiological measurements: HeAT Laboratory

Tampere Universities

Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology

Hervanta Campus

Korkeakoulunkatu 3, 33720 Tampere

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MET core facilities and services

Introduction

HeAT Laboratory  is a multidisciplinary education, research, and co-development environment where health and well-being technology is studied and developed. It offers a wide range of research-grade devices specifically for measuring human physiological signals. The laboratory is located at the Hervanta campus in room SM502 of the Sähkötalo building.

HeAT Laboratory is part of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology at Tampere University. It brings together several research groups from the Tampere Universities and Tampere University Hospital. These groups have extensive collaboration networks with health and well-being research institutions and companies in the Pirkanmaa region. For example, we collaborate with Sote virtual laboratory (Tampere University of Applied Sciences).

HeAT health and well-being technology environment.

RESEARCH: equipment and research environment of HeAT Laboratory enable simultaneous measurement of various physiological signals. Multimodal measurement setups can be customized to fit specific research problems, and the equipment also supports ambulatory measurements.
EDUCATION: The laboratory is suitable for group work, allowing assignments in performing physiological signal measurements, data processing, and analysis. It provides an ideal space for multidisciplinary teaching, where students from engineering, medicine, nursing, and well-being technology can work together and learn from each other.
ENTERPRISES: Enterprises can utilize HeAT Laboratory for developing new product ideas, testing and validating new products, and conducting usability studies. Comprehensive design and implementation services are available, with expertise in physiological measurements, signal analysis, and computational modeling.

MET Core Facilities and Services

HeAT Laboratory is an excellent environment for both collaborative research projects and commissioned research. It supports the development and testing of new product ideas, product validation, preliminary compliance assessments, and usability research. The service concept can be customized to your specific needs, whether it involves using a single device or managing the entire project chain—from research planning and execution to analyzing results and reporting findings.

Examples on the research collaboration:

Cutosense Oy – Assessment of quantitative method for monitoring wound healing; Monitoring healing of different degrees wounds by bioimpedance measurement
Nuanic – Assessment of electrodermal activity measurement in self-perceived  stress and arousal
LAKKA Health – Assessment of a finger blood pressure device
NE Device SW Oy – Validation of Vitacam software for camera-based estimation of blood oxygen saturation and inter-heartbeat intervals

Equipment for research and validation

Biopac MP160 Modular Research System

Enables measuring multiple physiological signals simultaneously.
Includes 7 independ modules for different kinds of wireless measurements:
2 x BioNomadix EEG (2 x 3 channels)
1 x BioNomadix NICO (Cardiac output)
1 x BioNomadix EMG (2 x 3 channels)
1 x BioNomadix EOG (2 x 3 channels)
1 x BioNomadix RSPEC (RSP measure, ECG 3 channels)
1 x BioNomadix PPGED (PPG measure, EDA 2 channel)
SpO2 and PPG module (wired signal).
Wired signal input module.
2 data loggers with battery allows measurements outside the laboratory. (max. 24h) The logger can receive the data simultaneously from 3 transmitters.
A sport wear T-shirt with places for transmitters.

Biopac MP36 Student Lab Ultimate Systems (x2)

Equipment for educational use.
Guided lessons introduce users to physiological signals from body
4 inputs for measuring equipment
Electrode impedance testing
Output for a stimulator
Measurable signals:
ECG, EEG, EDA, PPG, EMG, EOG, Spirometry, compression force, Blood pressure, Heart sounds

Nox A1 portable sleep analysis laboratory

Versatile polysomnography device (PSG) for ambulatory surveys. The high-quality clinical device fulfils the standards of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). The ambulatory measurement can be taken continuously 12 hours. Device contains a built-in 1 GB memory.

The device can monitor simultaneously the following signals:

EEG/EOG with 10 unipolar signals
EMG from jaw muscle
2 bipolar channels for EMG measurements
Voice recording (built-in microphone)
Respiratory flow (thermistor/pressure measurement)
Respiratory movements (chest and abdominal, with RIP (respiratory inductance plethysmography) -technology)
Oxygen saturation (with Bluetooth -technology)
Heart rate
Sleeping position
1 GP (general purpose) -channel etc. For connecting thermistor or Emfit-mattress.

SphygmoCor XCEL PWA/PWV

Central arterial pressure waveform analysis and pulse wave velocity measurement (https://atcormedical.com/technology/sphygmocor-xcel/)

Finapres Nova

Continuous non-invasive blood pressure and hemodynamics monitoring system

CorusFit

Wireless ECG node for three lead ECG measurement.

Other measurement devices

Modular signal measurements: Byteflies system for research purposes

Enables a parallel measuring of five physiological signals.

Equipment contains:

Byteflies Composer application for initialization, acquiring data and real-time signal observing.
5 pieces of sensor nodes: each measures a physiological signal.
Includes a ECG/RESP sensor and disposable PPG (pulse oximeter) and IMU (muscle activation) sensors.

Computer connected charger dock detects the sensors wirelessly and downloads sensor data automatically (raw data in CSV format). Wireless connection enables real-time signal observing with computer and Composer application.

7 x hookie AM 20: Portable acceleration sensor for research purposes

ActiGraph wGT3X: Wristband measures acceleration and light, for research purposes

Commercial-oriented Equipment

3 x Bittium Faros 90°

ECG, acceleration (x, y, z), RR-interval
Includes eMotion Faros Manager application for initializing
Raw data is available from device

3 x Firstbeat Bodyguard 2

RR-interval, acceleration (x, y, z)
HRV and well-being online analysis with license is possible (agreed separately)
Raw data is available with Firstbeat Uploader application

Vitalsignum Beat2Phone

ECG, acceleration (x, y, z), RR-interval, pulse, orthostatic test
Raw data are available
Realtime signal display with versatile analysing possibilities with Android application
Versatile sport tracking measurements

emWave2 + application

Heart rate and RR interval (from finger or ear), breathing
Backed for relaxation and calming, for example after a working day. The program provides personal development monitoring.

Polar H10 heart rate strap: Bluetooth, ANT+ compatible, can be used with a free smartphone application

Garmin Premium heart rate monitor: ANT+ Compatible, Optimal Use with Garmin Devices

2 x Moodmetric ring

The smart ring measures the stress level through the skin’s electrical conductivity. Real-time measurement results can be monitored from the smartphone with a free Moodmetric application. The mobile application also includes long-term stress tracking and diary.

2 x Oura ring

The smart ring measures sleep phases, heart rate, heart rate variability, 3D motion and body temperature. The ring and the app will help you update your daily rhythm.

5 x Beddit sleep monitor & wellness coach

Measures heart rate, respiratory rate, night tones, ambient temperature and humidity. Requires an app that works only in Apple device. (one device in the laboratory)

Emfit QS Smart bed system

Ballistocardiography-based sleep analysis system. Sleep classification, HRV, heart rate, breathing rate, movement activity. Mobile network modified: data directly to cloud from device.

Movesense motion and ECG sensor

Runteq Zoi: electronic running coach, measures pitch density, ground contact, motion, step jumping and braking. Versatile analysis with mobile app

Nike + ipod sensor: Pedometer (requires Apple device)

Omron walking style 3: Pedometer

Fitbit Flex: Activity bracelet measures steps, activity time, and sleep

Omron body composition measuring scale

2 pieces of Polar Pro chest bands for sensors

Polar Active: a sportwatch

Nokia Body Cardio: A smart scale measures pulse and body composition. Wifi and Bluetooth connections, operating also in Nokia Health Mate application

Nokia BPM+ A wireless blood pressure monitor, operating in Nokia Health Mate application

Withings Blood pressure monitor (old Withings): Wired, Only for Apple devices

Other lab equipment

Monark 928 E Ergometer/excercise bike

Down electronic ergo_run treadmill with gradient adjustment and ANT+ compatibility.

Laboratory computer and screens, including device specific software and general analysis software environments, including MATLAB, Python, etc.

4k TV monitor, chromecast

2x Samsung A5 cell phones for using phone apps

Voice recorder, stereo

Device Donations from GE Healthcare (Only for education and demonstrations):

GE Carescape B450 patient monitor (Hervanta campus)

GE S/5 Aespire 7100 anesthesia work station (Kauppi campus)

Software

AcqKnowledge 5.0 For Biopac MP160 signal analysis and visualization as well as real-time signal monitoring of Biopac transmitters. Enables also external data handling.

Biopac Student Lab 4.1 gives platform for Biopac courses as well as visualizing and interpreting Biopac MP36 data. Real-time signal tracking.

Noxturnal software with Nox sleep laboratory data analysis and visualization.

Kubios for Heart signal data analysis with versatile features.

MATLAB 2018 or newer for data processing, programming etc.

Device-specific software for lab devices.

Research groups at Tampere University can use the laboratory for educational and research purposes by reservation. All individuals using the laboratory must have the necessary skills to operate the equipment. Laboratory training can be arranged upon request.

Health and well-being technology companies can also utilize the laboratory for research and product development purposes. Prices are either hourly or daily (including support from laboratory engineers) or agreed on a project-specific basis. For the premises/equipment, we charge starting from 500 euros per day (VAT 0%) + material costs, and personnel time starting from 55 euros per hour (VAT 0%).