Multi-channel optical sensor-array for measuring ballistocardiograms and respiratory activity in bed.
Our work covers improvements in sensors and signal processing for unobtrusive, long-term monitoring of cardiac (and respiratory) rhythms using only non-invasive vibration sensors. We describe a system for the unobtrusive monitoring of vital signs by means of an array of novel optical ballistocardiography (BCG) sensors placed underneath a regular bed mattress. Furthermore, we analyze the systems spatial sensitivity and present proof-of-concept results comparing our system to a more conventional BCG system based on a single electromechanical-film (EMFi) sensor. Our preliminary results suggest that the proposed optical multi-channel system could have the potential to reduce beat-to-beat heart rate estimation errors, as well as enable the analysis of more complex breathing patterns.
Philips Chair for Medical Information Technology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany. brueser@hia.rwth-aachen.de
Christoph
C
Brüser
Anna
A
Kerekes
Stefan
S
Winter
Steffen
S
Leonhardt
D001450:Ballistocardiography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001513:Beds; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D055617:Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology*; D056152:Respiratory Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity