Development of a New Wireless ECG Patch: A User Experience Survey Fatemeh Sheikh-Ahmadi Department of Architecture and Environmental Design Iran University of Science & Technology Tehran, Iran fs.sheikhahmadi@gmail.com Lars Kooijman Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation (IISRI) Deakin University VIC, Australia l.kooijman@deakin.edu.au Khashayar Hojjati-Emami Industrial Design Department University of Art Tehran, Iran k.emami@art.ac.ir Siamak Pedrammehr Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation (IISRI) Deakin University VIC, Australia s.pedrammehr@gmail.com Vahid Foroutan Department of Electrical Engineering Urmia University Tehran, Iran vahidforoutan.vf@gmail.com Houshyar Asadi Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation (IISRI) Deakin University VIC, Australia Houshyar.Asadi@deakin.edu.au Abstract—Technological advancements have facilitated the development of innovative wearable electrocardiography (ECG) patches suitable for remote patient monitoring. However, there is a current lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the user experience (UX) associated with these devices which is crucial to ensure their widespread acceptance. This research aims to present a design for a wireless ECG patch (WEP) that focuses on user experience features, making it easy to operate and integrate into daily routines. Initially, we surveyed 50 participants to discern the pertinent criteria for the user experience (UX) design of commercial ECG patches. Our approach integrated existing research findings and incorporated technical considerations mandated by project stakeholders. Subsequently, an expert panel comprising a designer, technical experts, and a physician selected the optimal design concept. Following the development of the prototype, it underwent a 48-hour user experience investigation, which involved a questionnaire and an overview assessment. A significant majority of participants reported that the device was comfortable to wear and easy to use. Additionally, the study participants expressed satisfaction and indicated a keen interest in utilizing the device in the future. These results affirm that the newly designed WEP is a reliable, comfortable, and user-friendly device for remote patient monitoring, hinting at the potential for such devices to enhance patient care and improve overall health outcomes through further development and adoption. Keywords—User experience, product design, wireless ECG patch, user studies, smart wearables, health remote monitoring I. INTRODUCTION Early detection is critical for survival in cardiac disease, the leading cause of death worldwide [1]. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) burden society in terms of human suffering and economic costs. In Europe, for instance, the cost of managing CVDs amounts to approximately 210 billion euros per year [2]. Given the rising prevalence of heart disease, there is an escalating demand for compact, low- power sensors capable of monitoring vital signs and activity patterns. These devices are anticipated to steer the healthcare landscape toward a novel patient-centric model prioritizing prevention. This shift enables just-in-time intervention, decentralizing healthcare from hospitals to homes, thereby enabling individuals to receive timely medical attention [3]. An important tool used for diagnosing and assessing CVD patients is electrocardiography (ECG). The contraction and relaxation of the heart muscle leads to changes in electrical charge [4]. The ECG system displays these voltage variations at time series across electrodes located on the body surface [5]. Although clinical ECG monitoring is a conventional approach for detecting heart disease in advance, it is not suitable for capturing the health status in everyday life. This highlights the need for a tool that can detect and prevent serious heart disease through continuous observation during daily activities [6]. Wearable monitoring systems utilize advanced and emerging communication technologies to capture and transmit biological signals over long distances [4]. Biomedical data can be transmitted via wired or wireless communication to any location or device for processing and monitoring at any time [7]. The first generation of wearables, which included watches, shoes, and headgear, were mainly focused on tracking an individual's physical activity, heart rate, or body temperature. The second generation of wearables, also known as new wearables, come in various forms, such as patches that are worn on the skin, tattoos, films that are mounted on teeth, contact lenses, and smart textiles. These new wearables are designed to provide a more comprehensive range of features and functions [8]. Using a patch-type device for ECG monitoring has three key benefits. Firstly, it is small and lightweight, making it discreet and unobtrusive. Secondly, it is user-friendly as the device only requires snapping on electrodes and attaching them to the chest without having to position individual electrodes. Lastly, the patch uses standard ECG electrodes, ensuring a stable skin-electrode interface, which results in improved signal quality and reduced noise [9]. In recent years, advances in wearable biosensors have greatly improved the non-invasive monitoring of vital signs for non-critical treatments [10]. As previously mentioned, ECG patches have gained popularity among wearable devices and have been developed in various types according to the background purpose of their intended usage. The appropriate one is not only for its ease of use but for its 2024 IEEE International Systems Conference (SysCon) | 979-8-3503-5880-3/24/$31.00 ©2024 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/SysCon61195.2024.10553539 Authorized licensed use limited to: University of Tasmania. Downloaded on June 18,2024 at 22:01:43 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.