Sleep stage classification based on respiratory signal.

One of the research tasks, which should be solved to develop a sleep monitor, is sleep stages classification. This paper presents an algorithm for wakefulness, rapid eye movement sleep (REM) and non-REM sleep detection based on a set of 33 features, extracted from respiratory inductive plethysmography signal, and bagging classifier. Furthermore, a few heuristics based on knowledge about normal sleep structure are suggested. We used the data from 29 subjects without sleep-related breathing disorders who underwent a PSG study at a sleep laboratory. Subjects were directed to the PSG study due to suspected sleep disorders. A leave-one-subject-out cross-validation procedure was used for testing the classification performance. The accuracy of 77.85 ± 6.63 and Cohen's kappa of 0.59 ± 0.11 were achieved for the classifier. Using heuristics we increased the accuracy to 80.38 ± 8.32 and the kappa to 0.65 ± 0.13. We conclude that heuristics may improve the automated sleep structure detection based on the analysis of indirect information such as respiration signal and are useful for the development of home sleep monitoring system.

Sleep stage classification based on bioradiolocation signals.

This paper presents an algorithm for the detection of wakeful state, rapid eye movement sleep (REM) and non-REM sleep based on the analysis of respiratory movements acquired through a bioradar. We used the data from 29 subjects without sleep-related breathing disorders who underwent a polysomnography study at a sleep laboratory. A leave-one-subject-out cross-validation procedure was used for testing the classification performance. Cohen's kappa of 0.56 ± 0.16 and accuracy of 75.13 ± 9.81 % were achieved when compared to polysomnography results. The results of our work contribute to the development of home sleep monitoring systems.

Assessing the MR compatibility of dental retainer wires at 7 Tesla.

PURPOSE: To determine the MR compatibility of common dental retainer wires at 7 Tesla in terms of potential RF heating and magnetic susceptibility effects. METHODS: Electromagnetic simulations and experimental results were compared for dental retainer wires placed in tissue-mimicking phantoms. Simulations were then performed for a human model with wire in place. Finally, image quality was assessed for different scanning protocols and wires. RESULTS: Simulations and experimental data in phantoms agreed well, with the length of the wire correlating to maximum heating in phantoms being approximately 47 mm. Even in this case, no substantial heating occurs when scanning within the specific absorption rate (SAR) guidelines for the head. Image distortions from the most ferromagnetic dental wire were not significant for any brain region. CONCLUSION: Dental retainer wires appear to be MR compatible at 7 Tesla.

Catheter-based impedance measurements in the right atrium for continuously monitoring hematocrit and estimating blood viscosity changes; an in vivo feasibility study in swine.

Hematocrit is the most important determinant of whole blood viscosity and it affects thrombosis. As hematocrit can be measured accurately in vitro by using an electrical impedance technique, aim of the present study is to investigate the diagnostic potential of using this technique in vivo to continuously monitor hematocrit. Characteristics of a special catheter for in vivo measurement of electrical resistivity in blood in the right atrium are described. In five anesthetized swine hematocrit is monitored continuously with this catheter while different levels of hemoconcentration are induced. In addition, blood viscosity is increased by inducing 'acute phase' reaction the day before surgery, resulting in variable degree of elevated fibrinogen levels in the five swine. Good reproducibility of the resistivity measurements (S.D < 0.01) and excellent correlation between resistivity data in vivo and hematocrit levels in each swine are found (r2 = 0.95-0.99). Furthermore, stepwise regression analysis of data from all swine shows a highly significant contribution also of other important parameters of blood viscosity, such as fibrinogen, total protein and temperature (cumulative r2 = 0.97). Determining hematocrit continuously in vivo by electrical resistivity measurements with a catheter in the right atrium is feasible and these measurements correlate significantly also with other important parameters of blood viscosity.