1. WORLDCOMP’16 CSUB 1/12
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering & Computer Science
California State University Bakersfield
Wireless Spectrum-Capnography System for Detecting
Cholesterol Levels in the Blood
Jenny Villatoro and Vida Vakilian
July 27, 2016

2. Abstract
Abstract
WORLDCOMP’16 CSUB 2/12
 The human breath analysis can be used to determinate the values of volatile
organic compounds (VOCs), such as cholesterol (C27H26O) and isoprene
(C5H8), that are associated with some diseases, for example, lung cancer,
atherosclerosis, and diabetes.
 Despite the utility of this biochemical fluid analysis provides, it is a not very
preference method used for clinical diagnosis. Partly the reason is the cost
because the tools used for the analysis are expensive.
 This research concentrates on the spectrum-capnography system that will
detect isoprene and CO2 concentrations in order to measure the cholesterol
levels in the blood.
 To meet this challenge, we propose to design a low-cost wireless spectrum-
capnography prototype with an electrocardiographic (ECG) signal, thus
provides heart and respiratory rates, isoprene, and CO2 as a biomarker of
interest that are useful information to people with cardiovascular diseases.

3. Motivations
Motivations
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Cardiovascular disease is burdensome on healthcare system due to its
associated cost of care and the fact that it is a silent killer. Regular
screening for cholesterol may help determine onset and presence of
the cardiovascular disease.
 Proposing a spectrum-capnography system that is able to detect the
concentration of CO2 and isoprene and therefore measure the cholesterol
(C27H26O) levels present in the blood.
 Developing a low-cost spectrum-capnography prototype using wireless
sensor networking.

4. Introduction
Introduction
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Isoprene is a heat sensitive organic
compound. It can be found naturally
in the human body and in the
environment at relatively low
concentrations. The primary source of
isoprene in the human body has been
ascribed to the mevalonate pathway
of cholesterol biosynthesis.
Biosynthesis of the Cholesterol is
made from acetyl-CoA. Steroids are
biosynthetically from pyrophosphate
(active isoprene) that is the first
several compounds in the pathway in
the cholesterol production.
Fig. 1. Biochemical pathway of isoprene
Fig. 2. Biosynthesis of cholesterol

5. Introduction
Introduction
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The Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a
diagnostic tool that records the
electrical activity of the heart. The
heart contracts as the electrical
impulse travels through the body.
The cardiac impulse came from
sinoatrial (SA) node and spread
through the His- Purkinje bundle into
the ventricles. The maximum positive
potential reaches 1 mV
The Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a diagnostic tool that records the electrical activity of the
heart. The heart contracts as the electrical impulse travels through the body. The cardiac
impulse came from sinoatrial (SA) node and spread through the His- Purkinje bundle into the
ventricles. The maximum positive potential reaches 1 mV.
The goal of this research is to propose a low-cost non-invasive monitoring device that can
read the cholesterol levels in the blood using the concentration of carbon dioxide with
ZigBee wireless technology and incorporates LabVIEW in order to display the biomedical
signals in mobile devices.
Fig. 3. Einthroven Triangle Fig. 4. ECG Signal

6. Hypothesis
Hypothesis
WORLDCOMP’16 CSUB 6/12
A low-cost breath analysis could be made it by using a spectrum-capnometer with ZigBee
technology. Spectrophotometer can detect the isoprene concentration and the
capnometer can detect CO2 concentration. This values could help us to find the
concentration of cholesterol in the blood. Also, the electrocardiographic (ECG) signal can
add more relevant information that would help the physician to detect cardiovascular
disease.
Signal
Acquisition
Stage.
Analog circuit
block: electrodes,
amplifiers, low and
high pass filters,
and conditioner DC
voltage adder
amplifier.
Z
I
G
B
E
E
C
A
R
D
M
I
C
R
O
C
O
N
T
R
O
L
E
R
Fig. 5. Block Diagram of the Wireless Monitor using ZigBee Technology

7. Physical Background and Methods
Physical Background and Methods
WORLDCOMP’16 CSUB 7/12
Spectrophotometry is the physical model and method used to measure the concentration and
absorption of CO2 and isoprene gases.
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Fig 6: Acquisition Method; (1) breath
source, (2) vacuum pump, (3) needle
valve, (4) pressure control point , (5) drift
tube, (6) CO2 sensor.
Fig.6. Acquisition Method

8. Signal Model
Signal Model
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To measure the concentration of CO2, we first use the Beer’s law equation:

9. Results
Simulation Results
WORLDCOMP’16 CSUB 9/12
We record the breath rate continuously during 30 seconds. The maximum and
minimum levels of the recorded pCO2 are 66 and 6 mmHg, respectively.
Fig.7: Analysis of breath pCO2 concentration of a female adult during exercise. We then use
the obtained results to compare with the isoprene values that are strong related to the
pulmonary CO2 exchanges.

10. Results
Simulation Results
WORLDCOMP’16 CSUB 10/12
Using the infrared and visible lights to determine the pCO2 concentration in the
venous and arteries, respectively. The physiological range of venous CO2
concentration is between 30-50 mmHg, and arterial CO2 concentration is between
80-105 mmHg. .
These values are compared with the venous blood isoprene concentration to help
us to determine the cholesterol levels in blood.

11. Conclusions
Conclusions
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 We proposed a new breath sampling method to determine the
cholesterol levels in the blood. The main idea is to sense the
exhaled breath gas using infrared (IR) light, CO2 sensor, and a
spectrophotometer to measure the isoprene concentration.
 The obtained data from these sensors contain information
about the pCO2 and isoprene (cholesterol biosynthesis)
concentrations that help to measure the cholesterol levels in
blood.
 We process the measured data via a microcontroller and ZigBee
card and display these values in a mobile device.

12. References
References
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