A noninvasive heartbeat, respiration, and body movement monitoring system for neonates

Long-term monitoring of heart rate, respiratory rate, and body movement in neonates would be useful for preventing illnesses, such as respiratory disorders. However, currently, there is no noninvasive monitoring system available for neonates. Therefore, in this study, we proposed a modified, noninvasive, piezoceramic-facilitated biometric system to allow measurements of heart rate, respiratory rate, and body movement of neonates. We designed a monitoring system for neonates based on a sensor device with four piezoceramics, which were placed beneath the four legs of a neonatal bed. The output signal from the sensor device was measured as overlaps of the heartbeat, respiration, and body movement components. To test our system, we studied a 7-week-old male preterm infant who was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. To determine the validity of our system, electrocardiogram and respiratory waveform output from a conventional bedside monitor were used as references. We observed that the heartbeat signal that was detected by a piezoceramic sensor and that by ECG was similar. Similar findings were also observed between the respiration signal detected by a piezoceramic sensor and the reference respiration signal. In our method, the heartbeat and respiration signals could be accurately measured in the segments in which no body movement was generated. Use of piezoceramics avoids the need for applying sensors to the neonatal body. Our proposed monitoring method would be useful for neonates who require long-term monitoring in the hospital and after discharge, as well as for research purposes.