Simultaneous Monitoring of Ballistocardiogram and Photoplethysmogram Using a Camera

IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2017 May;64(5):1003-1010. doi: 10.1109/TBME.2016.2585109. Epub 2016 Jun 29.

Abstract

We present a noncontact method to measure ballistocardiogram (BCG) and photoplethysmogram (PPG) simultaneously using a single camera. The method tracks the motion of facial features to determine displacement BCG, and extracts the corresponding velocity and acceleration BCGs by taking first and second temporal derivatives from the displacement BCG, respectively. The measured BCG waveforms are consistent with those reported in the literature and also with those recorded with an accelerometer-based reference method. The method also tracks PPG based on the reflected light from the same facial region, which makes it possible to track both BCG and PPG with the same optics. We verify the robustness and reproducibility of the noncontact method with a small pilot study with 23 subjects. The presented method is the first demonstration of simultaneous BCG and PPG monitoring without wearing any extra equipment or marker by the subject.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Ballistocardiography / methods*
  • Blood Volume / physiology
  • Face / anatomy & histology
  • Face / physiology*
  • Heart / physiology
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Monitoring, Ambulatory / methods
  • Pattern Recognition, Automated / methods*
  • Photography / methods*
  • Photoplethysmography / methods*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Video Recording / methods