Vital Signs Rate Meter.
Abstract
The design of the vital signs rate meter described in this report is an outgrowth from previous studies on noninvasive measurement methods and systems for vital signs detection. The purpose of the vital signs rate meter is to assist medical technicians in performance of triage within a toxic environment. Two of the primary physiological measures obtained during an emergency assessment are respiration rate and heart rate. The vital signs rate meter is a combination of hardwired circuits and programmable logic (software). The prototype rate meter includes a microphone and a set of dry electrodes as the sensor array. A simple holder was designed to hold the sensors. Separate signal lines connect the transducers to the electronic circuits enclosed in an aluminum box. Analog signal detection and preconditioning are accomplished with analog circuitry. The conditioned signal is converted into binary format as input to the digital signal processing part of the device. A microprocessor is used as the basis for a design which provides flexibility and potential for future expansion of the device. Programs were written to perform additional signal conditioning, identification of signal, calculation of rates and control of display rate and format. The vital signs rate meter measures and displays heart rate and respiration rate in a digital format. Keywords: Noninvasive bioinstrumentations; Vital signs; Heart rate; Respiration rate; Rate meter; Dectectors, Diagnostic equipment, Triage, Signs and symptoms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA187015
Entities
People
- Charles S. Lessard
- Eric T. Schorsch
- Jae-joong Im
- Steve Mesibov
- Wing C. Wong
Organizations
- Texas A&M University