Pulse decomposition analysis in camera-based photoplethysmography.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Physiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Cutaneous microcirculation analysis is crucial for understanding physiological responses.
• Traditional methods like laser speckle contrast imaging have limitations.
• Non-invasive techniques for extracting vascular features are increasingly important.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate a multi-Gaussian pulse decomposition algorithm (PDA) for analyzing imaging photoplethysmography (iPPG) waveforms.
• To assess the capability of iPPG-based PDA in mapping spatio-temporal patterns of cutaneous microcirculation.
• To investigate the potential of iPPG-based PDA for detecting physiological changes in skin perfusion.

Main Methods:

• Acquisition of iPPG data using a standard camera.
• Application of a multi-Gaussian pulse decomposition algorithm (PDA) for waveform analysis.
• Evaluation of iPPG pulse waveform morphology in response to cold stimuli.

Main Results:

• The multi-Gaussian PDA successfully mapped iPPG pulse waveforms automatically.
• iPPG-based PDA demonstrated the ability to detect differences in skin perfusion.
• Significant changes in skin perfusion were observed in response to cold stimuli.

Conclusions:

• iPPG in conjunction with PDA is a viable alternative for microcirculation analysis.
• Morphological analysis of iPPG pulse waveforms holds potential for physiological studies.
• This technique offers a non-invasive approach to assess vascular dynamics in the skin.