Using a phonocardiography in a pulse wave velocity measurement

Abstract

A data acquisition is realised using purely non-invasive measuring mode, i.e. phonocardiography, in this project. A blood pulse wave velocity (PWV) in human arterial tree is determined by analysing phonocardiographic (PCG) records. Two signals are needed at minimum for an estimation of the pulse wave velocity. All of these signals have to be measured simultaneously from different points on a human body using electronic phonendoscopes. Pressure and sound manifestations of the pulse wave spreading are recorded in a cardiovascular system by this measuring device. Recorded signals are transferred to the computer in a real time mode, where they are saved for a next data processing (filtering, standardisation, and analysis). The pulse wave velocity is estimated using a cross-correlation analysis of recorded phonocardiographic signals.