Novel Smart Assistance System for Arteriosclerosis Evaluation

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cardiovascular Disease Research
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Arteriosclerosis involves blood vessel calcification, sclerosis, stenosis, or obstruction, leading to complications like abnormal peripheral blood perfusion.
• Current diagnostic methods like computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance angiography are costly, operator-dependent, and often require contrast agents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel smart assistance system for noninvasive arteriosclerosis assessment using near-infrared spectroscopy.
• To develop a system capable of monitoring peripheral blood perfusion and evaluating arteriosclerosis status.

Main Methods:

• A wireless peripheral blood perfusion monitoring device was developed, integrating near-infrared spectroscopy to track hemoglobin changes and cuff pressure from a sphygmomanometer.
• Indexes derived from hemoglobin parameters and cuff pressure were defined to estimate blood perfusion.
• A neural network model was constructed and validated for arteriosclerosis evaluation using the developed system.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in blood perfusion indexes were observed across different groups.
• The neural network model demonstrated effective arteriosclerosis evaluation with an accuracy of 80.26%.
• The system integrates simple arteriosclerosis screening and blood pressure measurements via a sphygmomanometer.

Conclusions:

• The proposed near-infrared spectroscopy system provides a real-time, noninvasive, inexpensive, and easy-to-operate method for arteriosclerosis screening.
• This smart assistance system holds potential for early detection and management of cardiovascular disease.
• The system's dual capability for blood perfusion assessment and blood pressure measurement enhances its clinical utility.