Time resolved detection and analysis of the skin backscattered optical signals (remission photoplethysmography or PPG)
provide rich information on skin blood volume pulsations and can serve for reliable cardiovascular assessment. The
single- and multi-channel PPG concepts are discussed in this work. Simultaneous data flow from several body locations
allows one to study the heartbeat pulse wave propagation in real time and evaluate the vascular resistance. Portable
single-, dual- and four-channel PPG monitoring devices with special software have been designed for real-time data
acquisition and processing. The clinical studies confirmed their potential in the monitoring of heart arrhythmias, drug
tests, steady-state cardiovascular assessment, body fitness control, and express diagnostics of the arterial occlusions.
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