Multichannel bioimpedance meter for cardiovascular time interval analysis

Abstract

Impedance plethysmography (IPG) is common noninvasive technology often used to monitor and quantify physiological phenomena that involve volume changes. Recently, a new IPG signal has been proposed that is measured by using only surface contacts with the limbs. This signal carries useful information about the cardiovascular system that otherwise could be obtained only by manual methods that require a skilled medical or nurse practitioner and are lengthy to apply hence unsuitable for e-health scenarios. This new signal is protected by several patents owned by UPC as it could be a breakthrough in cardiovascular measurements. The work to be performed involves the conception, implementation and verifications of a three-channel system able to simultaneous measure three IPG signal in the same subject, which is performant enough to assess changes in time intervals measured between singulars features of these signals and those of other cardiovascular signals. This requires a low-noise design robust to interference preferably based on a low-power microcontroller.