Image created by Richard Wheeler (Zephyris) 2007.
Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that plays a crucial role in transporting oxygen throughout the body. The color of blood is directly related to the presence and oxygenation status of hemoglobin.When blood is oxygenated (meaning it carries oxygen), it appears bright red. On the other hand, when blood is deoxygenated (meaning it has released its oxygen), it appears darker red or even blueish-red.
The reason behind this color change is the molecular structure of hemoglobin. When it binds to oxygen in the lungs, it undergoes a chemical change and forms oxyhemoglobin. Oxyhemoglobin has a bright red color. As the oxygen is released in tissues and organs, it reverts to its deoxygenated form, deoxyhemoglobin, which has a darker color.
For example, in cases of respiratory distress or heart failure, where oxygen levels in the blood are decreased, the mucous membranes may take on a bluish color, especially in the lips, nail beds, and inside the mouth. This indicates a potential lack of oxygen reaching the tissues and is a sign that immediate medical attention is required.
The skin's normal color is also influenced by the amount of oxygenated blood it receives. When blood is well-oxygenated, the skin appears pinkish or flesh-toned. However, in anemia, the reduced hemoglobin levels result in less oxygen being delivered to the skin, leading to a change in its color.
Mebius H-metter is an innovative device designed to collect empirical data concerning the correlation between skin/mucous colors and hemoglobin (Hb) levels. This user-friendly device is centered around the ESP32-WROOM-32U microcontroller board and offers a range of practical features. The key components of the H-metter include an LCD display, a power supply module based on AMS1117, an 8x8 keypad for intuitive input, a piezo for providing feedback on events (such as button presses), and a TCS34725 RGN Color Sensor to precisely measure colors.The device boasts the following functionalities:
- On/Off Switch: Users can conveniently power the device on or off.
- Color Sampling: Mebius H-metter allows users to perform color sampling of the skin or mucous membranes, providing valuable insights into potential correlations with Hb levels.
- Manual Input of Hemoglobin Data: Users can manually input hemoglobin data, allowing for direct and accurate data entry.
- Manual Input of Hemoglobin Data: Users can manually input hemoglobin data, allowing for direct and accurate data entry.
- Manual Adjustments: In the event of errors or adjustments needed, users can manually modify data to ensure data accuracy.
- Beep on Events: The device emits a helpful beep sound to indicate events like successful button presses, enhancing user interaction.
- Data Upload to the Cloud: H-metter offers seamless data upload functionality, enabling users to securely store and analyze their data in the cloud for further insights and accessibility.
With its simple design and easy-to-use interface, Mebius H-metter aims to become a valuable tool in the healthcare and research sectors, providing researchers, healthcare professionals, and individuals with a reliable means of exploring potential connections between skin/mucous colors and hemoglobin levels.
At present we are working to produce data visualization for it.
Thanks!
