Heartbeat Sensor (Tranduscer)

To build a heart-beat transducer not as difficult as imagined. Circuit below shows a simple heart-beat transducer.


This circuit made from an infrared phototransistor and infrared LED.  This transducer works with the principle of light reflection,in this case the light is infrared.  The skin is used as a reflective surface for infrared light. The density of blood in the skin will affect on the IR reflectivity. The pumping action of heart causes the blood density rises and falls. So that we can calculate the heart rate based on the rise and fall of intensity of infrared that reflected by skin.