Noncontact Sensors for Vital Signs Measurement: A Narrative Review

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Technology
• Health Monitoring

Background:

• Vital signs are essential for assessing patient health status.
• Traditional vital signs measurement methods can cause discomfort and skin issues.
• There is a need for innovative, non-invasive monitoring solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the performance of noncontact sensors with traditional vital signs measurement methods.
• To investigate the clinical feasibility of noncontact sensors for medical applications.
• To review the medical use and potential applicability of noncontact vital signs sensors.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted on the MEDLINE database up to September 30, 2023.
• Key search terms included "vital sign," "monitoring," and "sensor."
• Three eligible studies measuring vital signs using impulse radio ultrawideband radar, microbend fiber-optic, and mat-type air pressure sensors were included.

Main Results:

• Noncontact sensors demonstrated performance comparable to traditional vital signs measurement techniques.
• The reviewed noncontact sensors were applied to neonates, patients with sleep apnea, and patients with coronavirus disease.
• Measurements included heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and arterial oxygen saturation.

Conclusions:

• Noncontact sensors show potential for clinical use in vital signs monitoring.
• These sensors can improve patient comfort and reduce skin-related issues.
• Noncontact vital signs monitoring can potentially decrease healthcare provider workload.