Questioning Breath: A Digital Dive into CO₂ Levels ^†

Abstract

This work presents a smart mask for real-time monitoring of carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels as a reference tool for diagnosis, sports training and mental health status. A printed circuit board was projected and fabricated to gain data with real-time visualization and storage on a database, enabling remote monitoring as a needed skill for telemedicine purposes. The electronics were inserted in a wearable device—shaped like a mask—and 3D-printed with biocompatible materials. The whole device was used for analyzing CO₂ on a breath volunteer in three kinds of measurement.

1. Introduction

Exhaled breath has always been an interesting research topic for scientists. Among its volatile pattern, we highlight carbon dioxide (CO₂) as a promising health marker since it is a byproduct of cellular activity that arrives in the lungs through the bloodstream before being exhaled from the body [1]. CO₂ levels determine oxygen release by red blood cells to the body and influence the need to breathe. This is an important parameter for athletes needing a properly balanced gas exchange to improve their performances [2]. From a diagnostic point of view, hypercapnia can cause a mild effect like headache or fatigue or life-threatening consequences like asthma, apnea, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [3]. Furthermore, literature shows a correlation between high CO₂ concentration and situations of stress and anxiety [4]. In this study, we present a portable, non-invasive, low-cost and user-friendly device for CO₂ analysis. Internet of Things (IoT) and 3D printing enable the patient for a home usage device and ensure continuous remote monitoring for the doctor.

2. Materials and Methods

The electronics needed for the project development were assembled on a printed circuit board mainly based on a CO₂ sensor (STC31, Sensirion, Stäfa, Switzerland) and a microcontroller (MCU)/WiFi module (ESP-32-S, Ai-Thinker, Shenzhen, China), Figure 1a. We programmed the MCU with an ARDUINO code for gaining measurements and also designed a web page for wireless real-time visualization/storage through LAMP Server and phpMyAdmin. Autodesk Fusion360 2.0.17954 was used to design the wearable device (Figure 1b) to encapsulate the electronics. We chose a mask-shaped design for its social acceptance due to the recent global pandemic and for its double filtering properties. In addition, we focused on the wearability of the smart tool by selecting elastic resin for the mask and a thermoplastic polyester (PETG) for the sockets’ rigidity.

3. Discussion

The described smart mask was worn by a 28-year-old volunteer for three sets of measurements: while sitting, walking and laying down (Figure 1c). Every measure happens over 150 s, taking a sample every 2 s. The green curve reaches the sensor saturation level (40,000 ppm); values around 30,000 ppm are linked to the sitting situation (red curve) during the in-movement (blue) curve span between 30,000 and 40,000 ppm. This plot shows how the static/dynamic setup measurement influences both the peak and the trend values. Further evaluation is needed to secure the repeatability on the same subject and also to investigate trend values on other volunteers.