Design and implementation of a vital signs monitor

This article describes the electronic system develop­ment for acquiring and processing vital signs for patient monitoring. These are pulse rate, body temperature and respiratory rate; additionally, there is the visualiza­ tion of the plethysmographic curve obtained by optical means. Obtaining pulse rate was made indirectly through the techniques of plethysmography to measure changes in blood flow resulting from the activity performed by the heart. Body temperature was obtained with a tempera­ ture sensor in contact with the skin. Finally, a breathing frequency was obtained by a properly connected to a nostril temperature sensor.