Description
Ambient Sensor based vital sign monitoring has been emerging and more attractive in the field of health care. Market study shows that there is a need for continuous monitoring of vital signs. A set of ambient vital sign monitoring sensors are studied in thesis. Pyroelectric infrared (PIR) sensor is used for non-contact based resting heart rate estimation. This infrared system monitors and records the chest motion of a subject using the analog output signal of the PIR sensor. The analog output signal represents the composite motion due to inhale- exhale process with magnitude much larger than the minute vibrations of heartbeat. Since the acceleration of the heart activity is much faster than breathing the second derivative of the PIR sensor signal monitoring the chest of the subject is used to estimate the resting heart rate. This new system provides a low cost and an effective way to estimate the resting heart rate, which is an important biological marker. Ballistocardiogram (BCG) technique is used for non-invasive vital sign measurement system. Polyvinylidene flouride (PVDF) and Electromechnical film (EMFi) sensor are used for non-intrusive based vital sign monitoring. Respiration rate is estimated based on the inhale and exhale breathing force exerted on the sensors. Data is collected from various subjects and the results are validated to the industry standard sensors. A total of 30 subjects (5 females) are recruited. The age group of subjects lies between 20 and 55 years old. During the experiment subjects were wearing their own outfits. The experiment was conducted in a standard lab environment. Prior to the experiment an institutional review board (IRB) approval is obtained from human research protection program (HRPP).
