ARTERIAL WAVEFORM MEASUREMENT USING A PIEZOELECTRIC SENSOR

This study aims to develop a new method to monitor peripheral arterial pulse using a PVDF piezoelectric sensor. After comparing different locations of sensor placement, a specific sensor wrap for the finger was developed. Its composition, size, and location make it inexpensive and very convenient to use. In order to monitor the effectiveness of the sensor at producing a reliable pulse waveform, a monitoring system, including the PZT sensor, ECG, pulse-oximeter, respiratory sensor, and accelerometer was setup. Signal analysis from the system helped discover that the PZT waveform is relative to the 1st derivative of the artery pressure wave. Also, the system helped discover that the first, second, and third peaks in PZT waveform represent the pulse peak, inflection point, and dicrotic notch respectively. The relationship between PZT wave and respiration was also analyzed, and, consequently, an algorithm to derive respiratory rate directly from the PZT waveform was developed. This algorithm gave a 96% estimating accuracy. Another feature of the sensor is that by analyzing the relationship between pulse peak amplitude and blood pressure change, temporal artery blood pressure can be predicted during Valsalva maneuver. PZT pulse wave monitoring offers a new type of pulse waveform which is not yet fully understood. Future studies will lead to a more broadly applied use of PZT sensors in cardiac monitoring applications.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biomedical Engineering

Year dc:date.available

2010

Author dc:creator

• Zhang, Ruizhi

Contributors dc:contributor

• Paul Wetzel

• pulse wave monitoring
• piezoelectric sensor
• Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering
• Engineering

Statement dc:rights

• © The Author

Identifier

https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/126

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-1125