Abstract
BackgroundBiomedical research in the application of noncontact methods to measure heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) in the neonatal population has produced mixed results. This paper describes and discusses a protocol for conducting a method comparison study, which aims to determine the accuracy of a proposed noncontact computer vision system to detect HR and RR relative to the HR and RR obtained by 3-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) in preterm infants in the neonatal unit.ObjectiveThe aim of this preliminary study is to determine the accuracy of a proposed noncontact computer vision system to detect HR and RR relative to the HR and RR obtained by 3-lead ECG in preterm infants in the neonatal unit.MethodsA single-center cross-sectional study was planned to be conducted in the neonatal unit at Flinders Medical Centre, South Australia, in May 2018. A total of 10 neonates and their ECG monitors will be filmed concurrently for 10 min using digital cameras. Advanced image processing techniques are to be applied later to determine their physiological data at 3 intervals. These data will then be compared with the ECG readings at the same points in time.ResultsStudy enrolment began in May 2018. Results of this study were published in July 2019.ConclusionsThe study will analyze the data obtained by the noncontact system in comparison to data obtained by ECG, identify factors that may influence data extraction and accuracy when filming infants, and provide recommendations for how this noncontact system may be implemented into clinical applications.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR1-10.2196/13400
Highlights
BackgroundThe conventional method for monitoring vital signs of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is by the use of the electrocardiogram (ECG)
This yielded positive results with a cross-correlation coefficient of .9812, making it suitable for biomedical applications. This technique needs to be further studied to determine feasibility with a larger sample size and by varying factors common to the neonatal population. The aim of this preliminary study is to determine the accuracy of a proposed noncontact computer vision system to detect heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) relative to the HR and RR obtained by 3-lead ECG in preterm infants in the neonatal unit
The specific objectives are as follows: 1. To determine if the noncontact system is accurate for measuring neonatal HR and RR when compared with ECG
Summary
The conventional method for monitoring vital signs of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is by the use of the electrocardiogram (ECG). To ensure the signals captured from skin, head, and chest variances after magnification are enhanced and clear of background noise, an improved video magnification technique can be applied. These algorithms have been previously described [11,12]. Noncontact data were compared with a respiratory belt transducer and commercial sleep monitor This yielded positive results with a cross-correlation coefficient of .9812, making it suitable for biomedical applications. This technique needs to be further studied to determine feasibility with a larger sample size and by varying factors common to the neonatal population
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