Optimization and evaluation of a mobile IMU-based ballistocardiography system

Abstract In recent decades ballistocardiography (BCG) has regained popularity as a way to measure the mechanical activ- ity of the heart. In this paper we present and evaluate a new iteration of our mobile BCG measurement system. The pro- posed system uses an inertial measurement unit (IMU) placed on the carotid artery to derive the BCG. We conducted a mea- surement series to evaluate the system and to do an initial in- vestigation into whether more complex heart parameters can be derived from BCG data. The evaluation shows that heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) calculated using BCG data, agrees well with the reference measurement and amplitudes calculated are mostly comparable in range to other papers. In conclusion, the system can reliably derive features from BCG data that can be used in further research.