The Design and Development of a Multi-Channel Accelerometer-Based Motion Sensing System and Method on the Diagnosis Assistance for Valvular Heart Diseases and the Evaluation of Its Clinical Applications

The vibrations causing from heart valve opening/closing and blood striking against myocardium during the periodic heart beats actually belong to physical activities. However, the current diagnosis methods for valvular heart diseases and congestive heart failures are mostly using heart sound listening, measurement of Electrocardiogram (ECG), and Echocardiography or even Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging, etc. Most of these methods have the disadvantages of the limitation of listening frequency ranges, incapability of quantified multi-point diagnosis, needs for experienced judgments, unable to catching some physical activities through bio-physiology electrical signal measurements, low quality imaging, high cost, usage difficulties, and time consuming, etc. As the results, in three years, the purpose of this research is using inertia-based motion sensing device – accelerometer to measure the physical motion of the heart beats directly, i.e. the Seismocardiography (SCG). Hence, to further design and develop a multi-channel accelerometer-based motion sensing system for the accurate identification of valvular heart diseases and congestive heart failures syndromes as well as a quantitative diagnosis assistance and treatment assessment tool. This research will be coordinated with a human testing plan to be approved through Institutional Review Board (IRB) to define the occurrences heart valve behavior in multi-channel SCG. In the meantime, normal people and patients of Valvular heart diseases and congestive heart failures testing will be conducted to define the irregular parameters in SCG. Therefore, the syndrome identification algorithm and treatment assessment method can be developed. The system will also go through the clinical validations to evaluate its accuracy, reliability and effectiveness. Eventually, the system can be translated to clinical usages and medical applications. The system will have the benefits of low cost, easy usage and quantified diagnosis. It could be further promoted as a medical care and evaluation tool for patients of valvular heart diseases and congestive heart failures at anytime, anywhere in clinical institutes or at homes. With this research, we will become the pioneers of adopting SCG measurement in the diagnosis assistances of valvular heart diseases and congestive heart failures in the world. It would also be a great enhancement for our country in the area of medical device industry.

Project ID:PB10308-4323
External Project ID:MOST103-2221-E182-003