On time interval measurements using BCG.

Time intervals measured between the electrocardiogram (ECG), the photoplethysmogram (PPG) or the impedance plethysmogram (IPG), have long been used to noninvasively assess cardiovascular function. Recently, the ballistocardiogram (BCG) has been proposed as an alternative physiological signal to be used in time interval measurements for the same purpose. In this work, we study the behavior of the RJ interval, defined as the time between the R wave of the electrocardiogram (ECG) and the J wave of the BCG, under fast pressure changes induced by paced respiration and tracked by a beat-to-beat blood pressure (SBP and DBP) waveform monitor. The aim of this work is to gain a deeper understanding of these newly proposed time intervals and to further assess their usefulness to determine cardiovascular performance.

Pulse arrival time estimation from the impedance plethysmogram obtained with a handheld device.

This paper describes a novel method to estimate pulse arrival time (PAT) from the electrocardiogram (ECG) and the impedance plethysmogram (TPG) obtained by using a compact and easy-to-use handheld device with only four electrodes. A proof-of-concept has been carried out where PAT values obtained with the proposed device have been compared to PAT values measured between the ECG and the photoplethysmogram (PPG) during three experiments of paced respiration to induce controlled PAT changes. The results show that both methods yield equivalent PAT values in within ± 7 ms (95 % confidence interval), which is less than typical deviations reported for common PAT measurements.

Can driven-right-leg circuits increase interference in ECG amplifiers?

The Driven-Right-Leg (DRL) circuit has been used for about 50 years to reduce interference due to common-mode voltage in biopotential amplifiers in scenarios that range from fixed equipment supplied from power lines to battery-supplied ambulatory monitors, and for systems that use gelled, dry, textile, and capacitive electrodes. However, power-line interference models predict that for isolation amplifiers, currently mandated by safety standards, power-line interference can often couple mostly in differential mode rather than in common mode. In this work we analyze the effect of the DRL circuit in different ECG leads to elucidate its actual effect on power-line interference reduction. It turns out that that the DRL circuit, which effectively reduces common-mode interference, affects differential-mode interference in an unpredictable way and can increase interference.

Aggregation profile characterisation in dielectrophoretic structures using bacteria and submicron latex particles.

A novel quantitative characterisation method for the measurement of anomalous low frequency aggregation processes on dielectrophoresis electrodes has been developed. Experimental evidence is provided for the relationship between the aggregation effect and AC electro-osmotical fluid motion theory. The aggregation profile dependence for E.coli bacteria, as a function of frequency and applied field, has been quantitatively examined. Additional experimental observations of the aggregation profiles of latex particles with dimensions of hundreds of nanometres, also confirm the relationship between this aggregation effect and the mentioned fluid motion theory.