XIV International PhD Workshop

OWD 2012, 2023 October 2012

Pulse wave velocity measurements

Stefan Borik, University of Zilina

(01.09.2011, PhD. Student, University of Zilina)
Abstract

The article deals with the investigation of pulse

wave propagation in arteries. A part of work involves
also design and realization of devices serving for
scanning
of
pulse
wave
by
reflective
photoplethysmography. The work describes a use of
microcontroller serving for data flow control,
communication and analog signal digitalization using
integrated analog to digital converter.
1. Introduction

The pulse wave velocity is an important indicator

of the vascular system condition. It varies from age
due to changes of human vascular system. These
changes can have physiological or pathologic
background. By investigating the pulse wave
propagation in arteries, parameters of the vascular
system can be evaluated and degree of the pathologic
changes can be determined.
2. Pulse wave characteristic

Pulse wave can be defined as periodic distension

propagating through arteries. This distension is
caused by blood pumping function of heart. In this
way a pulse wave propagates to periphery and the
arteries represent a medium for this propagation. Its
velocity depends on many factors e.g. compliance,
elasticity, diameter, thickness of arteries and
intravascular pressure [1].

2.1. Photoplethysmography

Suitable detection method for pulse wave

investigation is photoplethysmography which serves
as diagnostic method for detection of blood volume
changes in a selected part of vessel or skin. Basic
principle is based on infrared radiation application to
cutaneous area and on its reflection depending on
blood volume changes. Reflected radiation
corresponds to the propagation of pulse wave [2].
Photoelectric detectors can be used for
measurement. They detect either passing
(transmission through tissue) or reflecting wave
(reflection from tissue). Recorded pulse wave (see
Fig. 1.) is similar to pressure wave curve [2].
3. Sensor design

Sensor for this type of measurement consists of a

radiation source (visible or infrared light) and
appropriate detector like phototransistor, light
dependent resistor or photodiode [2].
Sensor was created from phototransistor and IR
(infrared) diode (Fig. 2.). Working wave length of
this couple is 940 nm. Sensor is based on principle of
radiation reflection [2].

Fig. 2. Sensor sc hematic .

4. Hardware design

Fig. 1. Pulse wave curve.

However output signal from emitter of

phototransistor is small and for that reason it needs
to be amplified. For amplification two operational
amplifiers LM358 were used.

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An advantage of this amplifier is that, it can

operate with a single power supply. For that reason it
is needed to create a virtual reference voltage on its
non-inverting inputs. A half of power supply ensures
that the signal amplitude swings around this value
(+2.5 V). It is between supply voltage (+5 V) and
ground. In this way an asymmetric power source can
be used.
First stage serves as voltage follower for
matching of impedance. Its output is connected to
the first of three stages of AC coupled inverting
amplifiers. Each stage contains simple low pass
filter in a negative feedback for filtering noise [2], [3].

Fig. 5. The microcont roller circuit.

Fig. 3. The amplifier s tage.

The measured pulse wave curve is also indicated

by analog comparator. If the analog input signal
overcomes a threshold value, led on the front of
realized photoplethysmograph is turned on.

As described above the data are sent using serial

communication protocol. The following parameters
of serial link were selected: Baud rate 19200 B, two
stop bits and none parity.
Program for signal processing using selected
microcontroller was written in integrated
development environment (IDE) called AVR Studio.
This IDE allows also program simulation and
debugging. Time of data transfer to PC is 1563.13 s
which corresponds to sampling frequency about
640 Hz [2], [4].
Conversion from UART protocol to USB
(making virtual serial port) can be advantageous by
reason that most of modern computers don`t
contain RS232 physical port. Suitable converter can
be used for this.

Fig. 4. Comparator circuit.

4.1. Signal processing using microcontroller

In that way the processed analog signal is

digitalized using integrated analog to digital
converter which is part of selected microcontroller
(Atmel AVR). This microcontroller offers 10 - bit
conversion resolution, but for achievement of higher
speed data transfer only 8-bit resolution was used.
After digitalization data are sent using UART
(Universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter) unit
to PC. The data are sent from two selected
measurement points. For this reason redundant
control (separating) bytes are needed to be sent [2],
[4].

325

Fig. 6. Bottom o f realized PCB.

by using MATLAB tool called fdatool (Filter Design

and Analysis Tool). The pass-band frequency is
10 Hz and cut-off frequency of filter is 49 Hz [2].

Fig. 7. Top of realized PCB with components .

Fig. 9. Signal after filtration .

5. Data processing using MATLAB

For data processing using computer MATLAB

was selected as programming environment which
allows creation of graphic user interface. With this
environment user can observe pulse wave curve
from two selected measurement points of human
body and evaluate individual parameters such as:
pulse frequency, pulse wave velocity or time delay
between both pulses [2].

Detection of maximum values smaller than

before determined cut-off boundary runs after
filtration and these values are removed. The cut-off
boundary is determined by the next equation:

b 0.9 vmax

(1)

where b is the boundary and vmax is the signal

maximal value.
For the remaining pulse edges second difference
of the signal is used. It is integrated function of the
MATLAB environment. This function calculates
differences between adjacent elements of the signal
vector.

Fig. 8. Graphic user interface .

5.1.

Digital signal processing

Signal processing runs according to algorithm

developed directly for this application. The algorithm
can be divided to next parts:
Digital filtration of signal
Maximum values detection for given signal
Determination of cut-off boundary (smaller
values will be deleted)
Second difference of signal
Position detection of time indexes
Calculation of mean value between time
indexes
Pulse frequency calculation
Time delay between next pulses calculation
Pulse wave velocity calculation
Digital filtration is needed to remove the noise
from signal. For filtration low-pass filter with finite
impulse response was used. The filter was designed

Fig. 10. Signal after removal of values smaller than

boundary.

Fig. 11. Signal after s econd difference and removal all

negative values .

326

Each pulse contains two spikes which bound

maximum of given pulse. By calculating of mean
time value between these spikes can be determined
time position of selected pulse.
For calculation of pulse frequency and calculation
of pulse wave velocity directly these values of time
positions are used [2].

Ps

TV
Fs

(2)

Pm

60
Ps

(3)

8. Bibliography

where Ps is pulse frequency per second, TV is

time between two pulses, Fs is sampling frequency
and Pm represents pulse frequency per minute.
6. Results

The pulse wave was measured from two body

points. The first point was on the fingertip and the
second was near the aortic arch.
A distance of these points is about 85 cm. After
digital signal processing can be calculated the pulse
wave velocity by using next equation:

v pw

(4)

where vpw is the pulse wave velocity, d is distance

between measurement points and t is transition time
of the pulse wave propagating from the point one to
the point two.
The results are displayed in the graphic user
interface described in the text above.

Fig. 12. The result s ection of the d esigned graphic user

interfac e.

7. Conclusion

Within the work there was designed and realized

device serving for investigation of pulse wave
propagation which is based on principle of reflective
photoplethysmography. Designed device can be used
for investigation of cardiovascular system either in
research or in clinical praxis. The device should be
improved by using a wireless data transfer instead of
the recent cable data transfer and by using battery
power supply. In this way a patient should move free
without restrictions caused by communication and
power supply cables.

327

[1] K. Javorka, Lekrska fyziolgia. Martin:

Vydavatestvo Osveta, 2009.
[2] S. Borik, Vyetrovanie renia tlakovej vlny v
cievach, Diploma thesis, Faculty of Elect.
Eng., University of Zilina, Zilina, Slovakia,
2011.
[3] National Semiconductor. (2011, April).
LM158/LM258/LM358 Low Power Dual
Operational Amplifiers. [Online]. Available:
http://www.national.com/ds/LM/LM158.pdf
[4] Atmel Corporation. (2011, April). ATmega16.
[Online].
Available:
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/resources/prod_d
ocuments/doc2466.pdf
Author:

Ing. Stefan Borik

University of Zilina
Univerzitna 1
010 26 Zilina
Slovakia
tel.:+421 41 513 2149
email: stefan.borik@fel.uniza.sk