Non Invasive Monitoring System for Sleeping Subject

Abstract

New technology offers more and more possibilities to measure variables on the human body and mind in a non-invasive way as a basis for health management. By using miniaturized sensors, several variables can be measured such as heart rate, skin temperature, movements etc. Several sensing techniques (image analyses, sound analyses, etc) allow to measure other variables (such as posture, movements, facial expression) and sound production. Also at the other end of the scale, new technologies (e.g. remote sensing technology) in combination with smart algorithms offer possibilities for monitoring human health. By applying this technology several easy measurable variables can be monitored continuously in a fully automated way. Heart rate is, among the many vital signs (respiration rate, blood oxygen saturation, arterial blood pressure, etc), one of the most commonly measured and monitored. Whatever will be the sensing principle or the monitoring method used, data referred to the heart rate can be considered the primary vital sign information which is needed on a patient approach in both emergency and clinical situations. Heart rate data are used to measure anomalous rate or irregular pulse rate (arrhythmias) or heart block. The post-processing of the data can be used to verify trends or single events, providing precious elements to the patient diagnosis. Heart-rate variability (HRV) can be performed on recorded data in order to have an objective measure of eventual cardiac abnormalities. Other possible use of the heart rate data are related to the analysis of the circadian rhythm (sleep), temperature regulation, cardiac sympathetic nervous activity and synchronization with respiration rate.