Automatic radar-based 2-D localization exploiting vital signs signatures.

In light of the continuously and rapidly growing senior and geriatric population, the research of new technologies enabling long-term remote patient monitoring plays an important role. For this purpose, we propose a single-input-multiple-output (SIMO) frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar system and a signal processing technique to automatically detect the number and the 2-D position (azimuth and range information) of stationary people (seated/lying down). This is achieved by extracting the vital signs signatures of each single individual, separating the Doppler shifts caused by the cardiopulmonary activities from the unwanted reflected signals from static reflectors and multipaths. We then determine the number of human subjects present in the monitored environment by counting the number of extracted vital signs signatures while the 2-D localization is performed by measuring the distance from the radar where the vital signs information is sensed (i.e., locating the thoracic region). We reported maximum mean absolute errors (MAEs) of 0.1 m and 2.29[Formula: see text] and maximum root-mean-square errors (RMSEs) of 0.12 m and 3.04[Formula: see text] in measuring respectively the ranges and azimuth angles. The experimental validation demonstrated the ability of the proposed approach in monitoring paired human subjects in a typical office environment.

A 400 GΩ Input-Impedance Active Electrode for Non-Contact Capacitively Coupled ECG Acquisition With Large Linear-Input-Range and High CM-Interference-Tolerance.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the major physiological vital signs and an effective monitoring method for patients with cardiovascular diseases. However, existing ECG recordings require a galvanic body contact, which is unpractical in daily life. This paper presents the design of an ECG chip that facilitates non-contact ECG recording through capacitive coupling. With the input impedance boosting techniques, as well as an active driven-right-leg (DRL) which boosts common-mode rejection ratio to 70 dB, the single-ended capacitive feedback active electrode (AE) achieves ultra-high input impedance of 400 GΩ (< 0.5 Hz), a large common-mode interference tolerance (2.8 VPP), and a high linear-input-range (220 m VPP). Implemented in 0.18 µm 5V CMOS process, the prototype occupies an area of 1.23 mm2, and consumes 18 µA and 13 µA for the AE and DRL, respectively. Real life non-contact capacitively coupled ECG acquisition has been demonstrated, obtaining ECG waves and heart rate in the presence of motion artifacts as well as ambient interference.

Disección experimental de la banda miocárdica ventricular / Experimental dissection of the ventricular myocardial band

Introducción: El modelo de disección de la banda miocárdica ventricular descrito por To-rrent-Guasp, permite conocer la anatomía macroscópica funcional cardiaca, abriendo un amplio campo de investigación al exponer nuevas nociones científicas. El presente trabajo pretende determinar la estructura de la banda miocárdica ventricular, siguiendo ese modelo, con algunas modificaciones en corazones de porcinos, por el parecido morfofuncional con el corazón humano, para describir la secuencia de disección de la banda y estudiar la dispo-sición de los haces de fibras miocárdicas ventriculares. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, observacional y longitudinal con enfoque cuantitativo. La muestra fue de siete corazones porcinos con integridad anatómica y 48 horas de sacrificio. La técnica aplicada incluyó los pasos de limpieza y desengrase, disección del surco interven-tricular anterior, separación del tronco pulmonar, del segmento derecho, de la aorta con segmento ascendente y despliegue de la lazada apexiana. Con registro fotográfico. Resultados: En los corazones 1 y 2 se desdobló hasta el segmento derecho, por ruptura de banda apexiana, en el corazón 3 se desplegó el segmento ascendente con vista del segmento descendente. En el resto de los corazones no se logró avanzar con el desdoblamiento del segmento izquierdo y descendente. La reproducción de técnica descrita en la literatura, pre-senta la dificultad al desdoblar los últimos segmentos. Conclusión: Conocer la disposición anatómica de la banda miocárdica ventricular es fun-damental en los métodos de aprendizaje básicos y clínicos de la formación médica por una parte y por otra permite el entendimiento de diferentes patologías miocárdicas, favorece el planeamiento de abordajes quirúrgicos con técnicas más precisas y proyección de resultados posoperatorios.

Introduction: The dissection model of ventricular myocardial band described by Torrent-Guasp, let us know the heart gross functional anatomy, this opens a wide field of research to present new scientific notions. The current project pretends to determine the ventricular myocardial band structure, following this model, with some pig hearts, because of the similarity to the human heart, in order to describe the sequence of the band dissection and study the layout beams of ventricular myocardial fibers. Methods: A descriptive, observational and longitudinal study with quantitative focus. The isolate was of seven pig hearts with their anatomic integrity 48-hours sacrifice died. The applied technique involved the steps of cleaning, degreasing, and dissection of the anterior interven-tricular sulcus, separation of the pulmonary trunk, right segment of the ascending aorta and descending segment of the apical loop. Photographic record was taken. Results: In the hearts 1 and 2 will be unfolded until the right segment because of apical band disruption. Heart 3, the ascending segment of the descending segment view was displayed. In the other hearts, the left segment and descending segments were not shown. Respect to original technique this presents a difficulty unfolding with the later segments. Conclusion: Knowing the anatomical ventricular myocardial band arrangement is essential in the basic and clinical methods in the medical training. On the other hand, this allows the understanding of different myocardial diseases and promotes the surgical approaching with more precise technique and best postoperative screening results.