Using consumer-grade devices for multi-imager non-contact imaging photoplethysmography

Ethan B. Blackford; Justin R. Estepp

doi:10.1117/12.2253409

17 February 2017 Using consumer-grade devices for multi-imager non-contact imaging photoplethysmography

Ethan B. Blackford, Justin R. Estepp

Proceedings Volume 10072, Optical Diagnostics and Sensing XVII: Toward Point-of-Care Diagnostics; 100720P (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2253409
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2017, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Imaging photoplethysmography is a technique through which the morphology of the blood volume pulse can be obtained through non-contact video recordings of exposed skin with superficial vasculature. The acceptance of such a convenient modality for use in everyday applications may well depend upon the availability of consumer-grade imagers that facilitate ease-of-adoption. Multiple imagers have been used previously in concept demonstrations, showing improvements in quality of the extracted blood volume pulse signal. However, the use of multi-imager sensors requires synchronization of the frame exposures between the individual imagers, a capability that has only recently been available without creating custom solutions. In this work, we consider the use of multiple, commercially-available, synchronous imagers for use in imaging photoplethysmography. A commercially-available solution for adopting multi-imager synchronization was analyzed for 21 stationary, seated participants while ground-truth physiological signals were simultaneously measured. A total of three imagers were used, facilitating a comparison between fused data from all three imagers versus data from the single, central imager in the array. The within-subjects design included analyses of pulse rate and pulse signal-to-noise ratio. Using the fused data from the triple-imager array, mean absolute error in pulse rate measurement was reduced to 3.8 as compared to 7.4 beats per minute with the single imager. While this represents an overall improvement in the multi-imager case, it is also noted that these errors are substantially higher than those obtained in comparable studies. We further discuss these results and their implications for using readily-available commercial imaging solutions for imaging photoplethysmography applications.

Citation Download Citation

Ethan B. Blackford and Justin R. Estepp "Using consumer-grade devices for multi-imager non-contact imaging photoplethysmography", Proc. SPIE 10072, Optical Diagnostics and Sensing XVII: Toward Point-of-Care Diagnostics, 100720P (17 February 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2253409

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available