Towards pulse detection and rhythm analysis using a biomimetic fingertip

Abstract

Pulse rate and rhythm are indicators of the health of a human's blood circulation. Being able to detect one's pulse rate and rhythm in an emergency situation could be the difference between life and death. The work presented in this paper is preliminary work on algorithms that will equip a robot with the necessary skills to assess a human's pulse. Algorithms for pulse detection and the calculation of beats per minute (bpm) and Pulse to Pulse Interval (PPI) are presented and used to classify if a heart rate is normal, bradycardic, or tachycardic. Furthermore PPI is used to determine if the pulse rate is regular or in a form of arrhythmia. The results in this paper show that pulse was successfully detected and a subjects bpm calculated using a trough detection method. Furthermore the system proved to be capable of classifying the pulse as being regular or arrhythmic.