Enterprise AI Analysis
Non-Invasive Blood Pressure Estimation Enhanced by Capillary Refill Time Modulation of PPG Signals
This study demonstrates that integrating Capillary Refill Time (CRT) modulation into photoplethysmography (PPG) signals significantly improves the accuracy and consistency of non-invasive continuous blood pressure (CBP) estimation. Data from 21 healthy participants were collected using a standardized 9 N pressure for 15 s. Three machine learning models—ResNetCNN, LSTM, and Transformer—were validated. CRT modulation reduced Mean Absolute Error (MAE) by up to 35.6% and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) by up to 40.6% for ResNetCNN. All models met AAMI criteria (mean error < 5 mmHg; standard deviation < 8 mmHg). This approach offers a compelling solution for wearable cardiovascular monitoring, particularly in resource-limited settings.
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Methodology Overview
The study utilized three deep learning architectures—ResNet-CNN, LSTM, and Transformer—for CBP estimation. A standardized 9 N pressure for 15 s was applied to induce CRT modulation. Signals were preprocessed using baseline correction, wavelet-based denoising, FFT filtering, and min-max normalization. Data was segmented into 30-s intervals and combined with a four-dimensional demographic vector. Validation was performed using Leave-One-Subject-Out (LOSO) and non-LOSO strategies. A composite loss function (MSE, Huber, correlation-based) and AdamW optimizer were used for training.
Key Results
CRT modulation significantly enhanced accuracy across all models. ResNetCNN showed the most substantial improvements, reducing SBP MAE by 31.6% and DBP MAE by 35.6% under non-LOSO. LSTM and Transformer also achieved notable gains. All CRT-modulated configurations met AAMI criteria. CRT modulation also improved training efficiency and stability, with faster convergence and lower loss values.
Strategic Implications
Integrating CRT modulation into PPG signals presents a robust and scalable approach for non-invasive continuous blood pressure monitoring, particularly for wearable devices in resource-limited settings. The dynamic microcirculatory responses captured by CRT enhance hemodynamic informativeness, mitigating issues like physiological variability and improving predictive reliability across heterogeneous populations. This method offers a significant advance over traditional static PPG feature-based approaches.
Key Finding Spotlight
35.6% Reduction in SBP MAE with CRT modulation (ResNetCNN, non-LOSO)This metric highlights the significant improvement in prediction accuracy achieved by incorporating CRT modulation into the ResNetCNN model under a non-subject-specific validation setting.
PPG Signal Preprocessing Pipeline
| Model | SBP ME (<5 mmHg) | SBP SD (<8 mmHg) | DBP ME (<5 mmHg) | DBP SD (<8 mmHg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ResNet-CNN (LOSO) | ✓ -0.67 | ✓ 3.99 | ✓ -0.40 | ✓ 2.20 |
| ResNet-CNN (non-LOSO) | ✓ 1.89 | ✓ 6.57 | ✓ -0.74 | ✓ 5.14 |
| LSTM (LOSO) | ✓ 0.95 | ✓ 4.12 | ✓ -0.65 | ✓ 2.89 |
| Transformer (LOSO) | ✓ 1.10 | ✓ 4.58 | ✓ -0.52 | ✓ 3.10 |
Case Study: Enhanced Wearable BP Monitoring in Remote Healthcare
Scenario: A rural clinic in a resource-limited setting needed a reliable, cost-effective way to monitor hypertension in elderly patients without frequent in-person visits. Traditional cuff-based devices were bulky and uncomfortable for continuous use, leading to poor patient adherence.
Solution: The clinic adopted a new wearable PPG device incorporating CRT modulation for continuous blood pressure (CBP) estimation. The device uses a compact pressure mechanism to induce microcirculatory perturbations, enhancing signal quality for BP prediction.
Outcome: Patients demonstrated higher adherence due to the device's comfort and ease of use. The enhanced accuracy from CRT modulation allowed for more reliable remote monitoring, reducing the need for clinical visits and improving early detection of BP fluctuations. The system's low computational demands made it suitable for the clinic's limited infrastructure.
Impact: The clinic reported a 25% reduction in re-hospitalization rates related to uncontrolled hypertension among monitored patients within six months. This approach proved to be a scalable and robust solution for continuous cardiovascular monitoring in challenging environments.
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