Novel technique for visualizing heart motion without using ultrasonic cardiography

A novel technique for imaging heart motion has been developed. This is based on measurement of minute vibration of the chest surface using 64 sensors (63- acceleration sensor and one ECG) and image processing. The chest surface vibration included three or four frequency bands. One frequency band was inaudible sound using auscultation, under 20 Hz. The results showed that clear contour image of the heart from the data of 1-50 Hz band and also contraction/expansion of atrioventricular and ventricle and location of valves were visualized from the data of all frequency bands. It is concluded that the technique is applicable to examine heart function for 24-hour and irregular heart motion.