Handheld PPG Monitoring via Video Window Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for monitoring physiological parameters using photoplethysmography (PPG) are inaccurate due to external interference, require subjects to remain motionless, and involve bulky, non-portable equipment, leading to erroneous measurements and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A handheld device implements a method to capture and process video frames to determine consistent PPG waveforms, extracts relevant features, and uses a mathematical model based on ground truth values to accurately monitor physiological parameters like heart rate and blood oxygen levels in real-time, reducing computational resources and equipment size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional PPG techniques are used with video recording devices, then physiological parameters can be monitored, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to external interference and subject movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the video feed into multiple overlapping windows, each processed independently to extract PPG features. This segmentation allows the system to identify and discard windows affected by movement or interference, while combining results from clean windows to maintain measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by analyzing the quality of each video window and providing feedback on whether the captured physiological data is reliable. The consistency analysis across multiple windows provides feedback to determine if measurements should be accepted or rejected, improving overall measurement accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If conventional PPG equipment is used, then physiological monitoring is possible, but device portability deteriorates due to bulky equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes conventional multi-functional video recording devices (smartphones, tablets, cameras) perform the additional function of physiological parameter monitoring through software processing. This eliminates the need for specialized bulky PPG equipment while maintaining monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical PPG sensing systems with optical video capture and computational image processing. By using standard camera hardware and software-based PPG extraction, the system achieves portability without sacrificing core functionality.
3Productivity
If conventional PPG processing is used, then physiological parameters can be extracted, but computational resources and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent processes only a selected subset of video windows that meet quality criteria, rather than analyzing every frame or window. This partial processing approach reduces computational time while still capturing sufficient data for accurate physiological parameter extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary quality assessment of video windows before full PPG analysis. By pre-screening windows for motion artifacts and signal quality, the system avoids wasting computational resources on poor-quality data, thereby improving overall processing efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides accurate and portable monitoring of physiological parameters, reduces errors due to subject movement, and minimizes computational and temporal resources, enabling convenient and scalable monitoring on handheld devices.
Implementation Method 1
a video frames of a body part of a subject is captured using a camera
Implementation Method 2
PPG involves an optical methodology, which can be unobtrusive in certain cases, working on the basis of dynamics of blood volume changes in the vasculature under the skin
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method for monitoring physiological parameters associated with a subject using a hand held device (134) is described herein. In an implementation, the method includes obtaining a plurality of sample photoplethysmographic (PPG) features associated with a sample subject, from a video of a body part (136) of the sample subject. From among the plurality of sample PPG features, at least one relevant sample PPG feature associated with the physiological parameter, is selected based on a ground truth value of the physiological parameter for the subject. Further, based on the at least one relevant sample PPG feature and the ground truth value of the physiological parameter, a mathematical model indicative of a correlation between the relevant sample PPG feature and the physiological parameter, is determined. The mathematical model can be deployed for monitoring the physiological parameter in real time.