PPG Heart Rate Analytics Using Frequency Peaks Against Motion Artifacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for analyzing photoplethysmography (PPG) data are susceptible to motion artifacts and morphological features, leading to inaccurate detection of heartbeats and heart rate variability, especially when using sensors on peripheral body parts like fingers or wrists.
Innovation Solution
A method using Fourier analysis to identify frequency peaks, applying a high-pass filter based on selected frequency peaks, and performing pulse quality checks to detect diastole and systole peaks and valleys, followed by heart rate analytics, to enhance accuracy in heart rate measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If PPG data is collected using peripheral sensors, then accessibility and cost-effectiveness are improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to motion artifacts and morphological features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PPG signal processing into multiple frequency-based filtered versions, analyzing different frequency components separately to identify and exclude artifacts while preserving genuine heartbeat signals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary reflection wave detection and exclusion mechanism that identifies morphological artifacts (reflection waves from peripheral circulation) and excludes them from heartbeat detection, thereby improving measurement precision without sacrificing peripheral sensor accessibility
2Object-affected harmful factors
If motion detection techniques are applied to filter artifacts, then motion-induced noise is reduced, but reliability deteriorates because reflected signals cannot be avoided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the filtering approach by creating multiple filtered versions of the PPG signal at different frequencies and adaptively selecting which frequency components represent genuine heartbeats versus artifacts, rather than applying a static motion detection filter
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the PPG signal by creating multiple filtered versions at different frequencies, allowing differentiation between motion artifacts and genuine heartbeat signals based on their frequency characteristics
3Device complexity
If static frequency cutoff filtering is applied, then processing simplicity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to separate overlapping frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency spectrum into multiple filtered versions and analyzes each segment separately, enabling precise identification of heartbeat frequencies versus artifact frequencies that cannot be separated by a single static cutoff
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies multiple filtered versions (excessive action) rather than a single filter, creating redundant analyses at different frequencies to ensure accurate differentiation between heartbeats and artifacts despite the increased processing
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 method effectively filters out motion artifacts and reflects signals, enabling reliable detection of heartbeats and heart rate variability even in the presence of subtle motion, using various sensors and locations.
Implementation Method 1
Photoplethysmography (PPG) is a monitoring technique in which blood flow is measured based on an amount of light absorbed by the blood vessels under the skin
Implementation Method 2
determining a plurality of frequency peaks in the raw PPG data using a Fourier analysis
Implementation Method 3
creating filtered PPG data by applying a frequency of the selected frequency peak as a high-pass filter to the raw PPG data
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method of measuring heart rate analytics using raw photoplethysmography (PPG) data is provided. A computing system determines a plurality of frequency peaks in the raw PPG data using a Fourier analysis. The computing system determines a plurality of selected frequency peaks from the plurality of frequency peaks. For each selected frequency peak of the plurality of selected frequency peaks, the computing system creates filtered PPG data by applying a frequency of the selected frequency peak as a high-pass filter to the raw PPG data; detects diastole peaks and systole valleys in the filtered PPG data; and performs one or more pulse quality checks on the detected diastole peaks and systole valleys. The computing system uses diastole peaks and systole valleys associated with a lowest selected frequency peak that passed the pulse quality checks to determine a heart rate analytic measurement.