Towards pulse detection and rhythm analysis using a biomimetic fingertip

Pulse rate and rhythm are indicators of the health of a human´s blood circulation. Being able to detect one´s pulse rate and rhythm in an emergency situation could be the difference between life and death. The work presented in this paper is preliminary work on algorithms that will equip a robot with the necessary skills to assess a human´s pulse. Algorithms for pulse detection and the calculation of beats per minute (bpm) and Pulse to Pulse Interval (PPI) are presented and used to classify if a heart rate is normal, bradycardic, or tachycardic. Furthermore PPI is used to determine if the pulse rate is regular or in a form of arrhythmia. The results in this paper show that pulse was successfully detected and a subjects bpm calculated using a trough detection method. Furthermore the system proved to be capable of classifying the pulse as being regular or arrhythmic.