Calculation of Heartbeat Rate and SpO₂ Parameters Using a Smartphone Camera: Analysis and Testing

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Signal Processing
• Mobile Health

Background:

• Remote monitoring of vital signs is crucial for healthcare.
• Existing methods often require specialized equipment.
• Smartphone ubiquity offers potential for accessible health tracking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a method for measuring pulse rate and blood oxygen saturation using smartphone cameras.
• To assess the reliability and accuracy of the developed method across different smartphone types.
• To investigate the impact of video recording duration on measurement accuracy.

Main Methods:

• Utilized mathematical and signal-processing techniques on RGB video signals from smartphone cameras.
• Applied algorithms including smoothing, filtering (Savitzky-Golay), and Fourier transforms.
• Employed gradient and local maximum methods for pulse rate detection.
• Calculated blood oxygen saturation using the ratio-of-ratios of AC/DC components of red and green signals.

Main Results:

• Achieved reliable measurements of heartbeat pulse rate and blood oxygen concentration.
• Demonstrated comparable accuracy to commercial, medically approved oximeters.
• Confirmed consistent results across various smartphones and operating systems.
• Investigated and reported on the effect of video recording duration on data accuracy.

Conclusions:

• Smartphone cameras, coupled with sophisticated signal processing, provide a viable tool for non-invasive vital sign monitoring.
• This approach offers a low-cost, accessible alternative for remote health assessment.
• Further research can optimize algorithms for even greater accuracy and broader clinical application.