Pulmonary function deterioration screening using a patch-type multimodal sensor: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Respiratory Medicine
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Progressive pulmonary function decline increases chronic respiratory disease risk and reduces quality of life.
• Conventional spirometry is reactive, diagnosed only after symptoms manifest, often when lung damage is irreversible.
• Early detection of pulmonary function deterioration is crucial for timely intervention and improved patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple pulmonary function monitoring system utilizing a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor integrated into a patch-type multimodal sensor.
• To assess the feasibility of this system for early screening of pulmonary function changes.
• To investigate the correlation between PPG signals and pulmonary function, considering factors like smoking history.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study was conducted using a patch-type multimodal sensor with an integrated PPG sensor.
• Trend analysis of respiratory PPG signals was performed during simulated hypoxemia.
• Comparison of PPG signal characteristics was made based on participants' smoking history.

Main Results:

• Respiratory PPG signals were influenced by both physical respiratory dynamics and internal pulsatile indices during hypoxia.
• Signal amplitude and intensity deformation varied significantly with smoking history.
• A mild correlation was observed between PPG signal changes and poorer pulmonary function.

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest that PPG signals from the patch-type multimodal sensor hold potential for early pulmonary function monitoring.
• This non-invasive approach may aid in identifying asymptomatic pulmonary function deterioration.
• Further validation with larger cohorts and clinical pulmonary evaluations is warranted to confirm its utility.