Standard terminologies for photoplethysmogram signals.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Diagnostics
• Optical Sensing

Background:

• Photoplethysmography (PPG) is an optical technique increasingly utilized for vascular disease research.
• PPG offers advantages like non-invasiveness, safety, cost-effectiveness, and ease of use over traditional methods.
• Advancements in PPG technology suggest its potential to supersede current diagnostic tools such as blood tests and ultrasounds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the diverse terminologies associated with photoplethysmography.
• To identify and highlight research discontinuities stemming from inconsistent terminology across disciplines.
• To propose standardized terminology to resolve long-standing confusion in the field.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of photoplethysmography research.
• Analysis of terminology variations across different scientific disciplines.
• Identification of research gaps and inconsistencies.

Main Results:

• Significant variation in terminology used for photoplethysmography was observed.
• Discontinuities in research were identified due to the lack of standardized nomenclature.
• A need for unified terminology to facilitate consistent research and application was established.

Conclusions:

• Standardizing photoplethysmography terminology is crucial for advancing research and clinical application.
• A unified approach will enhance the diagnostic utility of PPG in vascular disease assessment.
• Addressing terminological ambiguity will foster interdisciplinary collaboration and research continuity.