Wearable PPG signal sensors for real-time measurement in a weak magnetic field

Investigators: Jiří PŘIBIL, Anna PŘIBILOVÁ, Ivan Frollo

Our research is focused on the analysis of the effects of scanning in NMR tomograph on the cardiovascular system of the examined person in order to find appropriate methods of their detection and quantification, designing measures for their minimization. The impact of stress effects on the human body and psyche can be directly monitored by measuring blood pressure (BP) and heart rate. Induced stress can be manifested by changes in the bloodstream, and can also be detected from the simultaneously recorded photoplethysmographic (PPG) signal. Several prototypes of wearable PPG sensors using wireless bidirectional Bluetooth communication for real-time data transmission have been developed within the VEGA project.Our current research has been focused on the development and application of a method to estimate BP values directly from the PPG signal, without the use of an external blood pressure monitor. Furthermore, a multi-channel PPG sensor with integrated contact thermo-chips was successfully implemented and tested to monitor the skin condition and temperature at the sensing site of PPG signals (typically fingertips and wrist).

Fig. 1 Principle block diagram of the structure of the wearable PPG sensor with I2C thermometer (a), documentary photo of the PPG signal and temperature measurement under laboratory conditions (b).

Project:
VEGA 2/0004/23 – Investigation of magnetic nanoparticle properties for imaging purposes in biomedical diagnostics based on magnetic resonance methods.

Publications 2023:

  • Přibil, J., Přibilová, A., Frollo, I.: Triple PPG Sensor for Measurement of Heart Pulse Transmission Parameters in Weak Magnetic Field Environment. In A. Dvurecenskij, J. Manka, J. Svehlikova, and V.Witkovsky (Eds.): In Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Measurement. – Bratislava: Institute of Measurement Science, SAS, 2023, p. 67-70. ISBN 978-80-972629-7-6. https://doi.org/10.23919/MEASUREMENT59122.2023.10164465
  • Přibil, J., Přibilová, A., Frollo, I.: Experiment with GMM-Based Subject Identification from PPG Signals Acquired by Wearable Sensors. In Herencsár N. (Ed): Proceedings of the 46th International Conference on Telecommunications and Signal Processing TSP 2023, July 12-14, 2023 (Virtual), pp. 7-10. IEEE Catalog Number: CFP2388P-ART. ISBN 979-8-3503-0396-4
  • PŘIBIL, Jiří – PŘIBILOVÁ, Anna – FROLLO, Ivan. Analysis of heart pulse transmission parameters determined from multi-channel PPG signals acquired by a wearable optical sensor. In Measurement Science Review, 2023, vol. 23, no. 5, p. 217-226. ISSN 1335-8871. (0.9 – IF2022) Q3
  • Přibil, J., Přibilová, A., Frollo, I.: Wearable Two-Channel PPG Optical Sensor with Integrated Thermometers for Contact Measurement of Skin Temperature. In Proceedings of the 10th International Electronic Conference on Sensors and Applications, 15-30 November 2023 (Virtual), Section: Wearable Sensors and Healthcare Applications, https://sciforum.net/paper/view/16249, https://doi.org/10.3390/ecsa-10-16249 (registering DOI)