University of Twente Student Theses

Investigating the validity of infra-red camerabased photoplethysmography and the possibility to apply this technique as an affordable vital signs monitoring system for hospitals in poor-resource countries

Torrenga, Felix and Engel, Jacco and Mulder, Ilse and Vliet, Lotte van (2021) Investigating the validity of infra-red camerabased photoplethysmography and the possibility to apply this technique as an affordable vital signs monitoring system for hospitals in poor-resource countries.

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Abstract:	Background: Resource-poor countries do not have the monitoring equipment to provide adequate care. This is partly why the mortality rate in the hospitals is higher than in western countries. In this study, affordable vital signs monitoring in resource-poor countries, primarily Malawi, is investigated through camera based photoplethysmogram (cbPPG). This method is widely tested on lighter skin tones, but not on darker skin tones. Objective: This report aims to provide the ground work for an inexpensive camera based vital signs monitoring system for resource-pour countries. The monitoring system measures both heart- and respiratory rate. The monitoring system should meet several requirements in order to be imlemented in resource-poor countries. Method: First, a literary study was performed to investigate the requirements the system should meet and what the underlying principles of cbPPG are. Then, a cbPPG application was developed within MATLAB, which had to be tested. Four participants completed tests in different conditions: rest, exercise and dark. The region of interest (ROI) got detected by facial recognition and was tested on the face and forehead. The tests where compared to the reference methods, the pulseoximeter and breath counting for respectively the heartand respiratory rate. Results: Based on the requirements, a setup is proposed for the implementation of the technique in the Queen Elisabeth Central Hospital, Malawi. The cbPPG method was generally accurate but imprecise. The chosen acceptable mean absolute percent error (MAPE) of smaller than 10% has not been realized by any of the conditions and ROI’s for the heart and respiratory rate. Conclusion: The cbPPG method does not yet have a acceptable heart and respiratory rate accuracy. Therefore, more research has to be done before implementing the vital sign monitoring method in resource-poor countries.
Item Type:	Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:	TNW: Science and Technology
Programme:	Technical Medicine BSc (50033)
Link to this item:	https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/87367
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