Non-contact Physiological Monitoring via Motion-Compensated Video Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-contact and non-invasive monitoring of physiological signals, such as heart rate and breathing patterns, faces challenges in accurately tracking breathing patterns under free-living conditions due to noise from ambient environments and body movements, particularly low-frequency noise associated with body movement.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a camera to capture video sequences of specific regions of interest on a subject's body, processing these images with algorithms to determine vertical movement and implement a motion-tracking algorithm to correct for unrelated body movements, allowing for real-time monitoring of breathing patterns and other physiological parameters like heart rate and pulse transit time without direct physical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-contact optical methods are used to monitor physiological signals, then ease of operation and applicability under free-living conditions are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to noise from ambient lighting and body movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses specific body regions (face, palms, soles) as intermediary areas that are less susceptible to movement artifacts compared to traditional measurement sites. These regions serve as mediators between the optical sensor and the physiological signals, allowing non-contact measurement while reducing noise from ambient lighting and body movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the measurement approach by changing from direct optical detection to detecting subtle color variations in specific body regions. It also employs signal processing techniques that analyze frequency domains to distinguish physiological signals from movement artifacts, effectively changing the parameter space of measurement.
2Measurement precision
If conventional noise reduction methods like independent component analysis are applied, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary selection of optimal measurement regions (face, palms, soles) before actual physiological signal acquisition. By pre-identifying and focusing on these specific body areas, the system reduces the complexity of subsequent noise reduction processing while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent simplifies the measurement approach by changing to specific body regions with characteristic color properties that are less affected by movement. This parameter change in measurement location reduces the complexity of signal processing compared to conventional ICA methods.
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 system effectively tracks breathing patterns and other vital signs with high accuracy, minimizing noise from body movements and ambient conditions, and is suitable for continuous monitoring under free-living conditions, with results comparable to commercial devices.
Implementation Method 1
optical methods known as photoplethysmography (PPG)... optical detection of a person's finger pressed on the portable device or a camera built in the mobile device to perform PPG
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for monitoring one or more physiological parameters of a subject under free-living conditions is provided. The system includes a camera configured to capture and record a video sequence including at least one image frame of at least one region of interest (ROI) of the subject's body. A computer in signal communication with the camera to receive signals transmitted by the camera representative of the video sequence includes a processor configured to process the signals associated with the video sequence recorded by the camera and a display configured to display data associated with the signals.