LA&HA - Journal of the Laser and Health Academy
Volume: 2014 | number: 1
ISSN (print):1855-9913 | ISSN (web): 1855-9921

Photoplethysmographic Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Estimation in Dynamic Condition

D. Zazula, C. Pirs, K. Benkic, D. Djonlagic, B. Cigale
Pages: 33-38

This paper describes a novel, unobtrusive photoplethysmographic device and experiments conducted in a dynamic condition. The device complements a photoplethysmograph with a dynamometer, an accelerometer, and a thermometer. We built it in the door handle of a refrigerator and made tests during the door opening and closing. Short-term PPG signals were obtained across all fingers pulling the handle. In parallel, we measured the standard ECG lead II as a reference for the detected heartbeat verification. The blood pressure of each participant was registered before each experimental trial by a standard sphygmomanometer. Based on the PPG signals, we ran our computer algorithms for detecting the heartbeats and estimating the mean blood pressure. Satisfactory results were achieved for heartbeats, with 97.62% sensitivity and 90.31% precision. However, blood pressure estimation appeared to be not very efficient - neither linear nor exponential modeling could lower the estimated mean absolute error in comparison to referential mean blood pressures below 6 mmHg.

Key words: photoplethysmography in dynamic condition, unobtrusive sensors, heartbeat detection, blood pressure estimation.

Article: J. LA&HA, Vol. 2014, No.1; pp.33-38.

Photoplethysmographic Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Estimation in Dynamic Condition