Hariton Costin

Bio: Hariton Costin is an academic researcher from Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy. The author has contributed to research in topics: Image registration & Optimization problem. The author has an hindex of 15, co-authored 109 publications receiving 719 citations. Previous affiliations of Hariton Costin include Romanian Academy.

Cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory coupling analyses: a review.

Abstract: Recently, methods have been developed to analyse couplings in dynamic systems. In the field of medical analysis of complex cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory systems, there is growing interest in how insights may be gained into the interaction between regulatory mechanisms in healthy and diseased persons. The couplings within and between these systems can be linear or nonlinear. However, the complex mechanisms involved in cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory regulation very likely interact with each other in a nonlinear way. Recent advances in nonlinear dynamics and information theory have allowed the multivariate study of information transfer between time series. They therefore might be able to provide additional diagnostic and prognostic information in medicine and might, in particular, be able to complement traditional linear coupling analysis techniques. In this review, we describe the approaches (Granger causality, nonlinear prediction, entropy, symbolization, phase synchronization) most commonly applied to detect direct and indirect couplings between time series, especially focusing on nonlinear approaches. We will discuss their capacity to quantify direct and indirect couplings and the direction (driver-response relationship) of the considered interaction between different biological time series. We also give their basic theoretical background, their basic requirements for application, their main features and demonstrate their usefulness in different applications in the field of cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory coupling analyses.

Telemedicine system for remote blood pressure and heart rate monitoring

Abstract: In this paper we present the realization of a remote blood pressure and heart rate monitoring system, based on wireless devices, capable to measure and transmit patient's arterial blood pressure and heart rate. The use of the proposed system is suitable for continuous long-time patient monitoring, as a part of a diagnostic procedure. The patient can achieve medical assistance of a chronic condition, or can be supervised during recovery from an acute event or surgical procedure. We use commercially available devices, low power microcontrollers and RF transceivers that perform the measurements and transmit them to the patient monitoring device. The patient monitoring device, in form of a PDA that running a personal heart monitor application, receives the blood pressure systolic and diastolic values and heart rate, activates the alarms when these values exceed the preset limits, and communicates periodically to the central monitoring server by using WiFi or GSM/GPRS connection. A graphical user interface running on the central monitoring server for displaying the measurements was developed. Power consumption by the used devices was also minimized.

A wireless low-power pulse oximetry system for patient telemonitoring

Abstract: In this paper we present the realization of a wireless low power pulse oximetry telemonitoring system capable to measure and transmit patient's arterial blood-oxygen saturation (SpO2) level and heart rate (HR). The use of the proposed system is suitable for continuous long-time patient monitoring, as a part of a diagnostic procedure. The patient can achieve medical assistance of a chronic condition, or can be supervised during recovery from an acute event or surgical procedure. We use commercially available devices, low power microcontrollers and RF transceivers that perform the measurements (SpO2 and HR) and transmit them to the patient monitoring device. The monitoring device, in form of a PDA that running a personal SpO2 monitor application, receives the SpO2 level and HR, activates the alarms when the monitored parameters exceed the preset limits, and communicates periodically to the telemonitoring server by using WiFi or GSM/GPRS connection.

Automatic analysis of the fetal heart rate variability and uterine contractions

Abstract: The aim of this study is the identification of the dynamic relationship between intrapartum fetal heart rate (FHR) variability and uterine pressure (UP) for normal and hypoxic fetuses. A new method for automatic analysis and identification of uterine contractions is developed and tested on 552 recordings. Using contractions, the fetal heart rate variations are established: accelerations and decelerations (early, late and prolonged). These allow a classification of the recordings analyzed into two categories: normal and pathological. The results are compared to documented fetal outcome results quantified by means of low pH and Apgar values. The developed method provides a series of quantitative measurements for the uterine contractions signal (total number of contractions, total contraction time, total percentage of contraction time, average values for contraction length, peak to peak values, area under curve). Based on these measurements we determine the Spearman correlation coefficients and the scatter matrix between the FHR and UP signals and the fetal outcome parameters: pH and Apgar scores. The correlation result show a strong relationship between decelerations presented on the FHR signal, increasing number of contractions and the low pH and Apgar values.

Atrial fibrillation onset prediction using variability of ECG signals

Abstract: This study presents the use of two different methods for the automatic prediction of the onset of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) by means of surface electrocardiographic (ECG) signal. The first method is commonly used and consists in the analysis of the heart rate variability (HRV) of the ECG signal. Two significant parameters are taken into consideration: the time domain metric standard deviation of average five minute window of the time series (SDANN) and the frequency-domain metric low-frequency/high-frequency (LF/HF) ratio of the RR interval. The second analysis method, which is based on the morphological timing characteristics of the QRS complex, is called morphologic variability (MV) of the ECG signal, and was not used before for PAF prediction. Parameters similar to those of HRV analysis are determined in this case. Both methods are applied on 198 Holter records taken from the PAF Database from physionet.org portal. The results show a better accuracy of the MV analysis than that obtained by means of HRV technique alone. Moreover, by using an appropriate decision rule, both methods were “fused” and the overall accuracy of PAF onset prediction was raised up to 90%. Experimental results also indicate that our method is applicable for usual Holter recordings and is robust against noise and common artifacts. Its high prediction accuracy is comparable with that obtained by manual annotation made by experts and therefore is suitable to be used in clinical practice.

A survey on wireless body area networks

Abstract: The increasing use of wireless networks and the constant miniaturization of electrical devices has empowered the development of Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs). In these networks various sensors are attached on clothing or on the body or even implanted under the skin. The wireless nature of the network and the wide variety of sensors offer numerous new, practical and innovative applications to improve health care and the Quality of Life. The sensors of a WBAN measure for example the heartbeat, the body temperature or record a prolonged electrocardiogram. Using a WBAN, the patient experiences a greater physical mobility and is no longer compelled to stay in the hospital. This paper offers a survey of the concept of Wireless Body Area Networks. First, we focus on some applications with special interest in patient monitoring. Then the communication in a WBAN and its positioning between the different technologies is discussed. An overview of the current research on the physical layer, existing MAC and network protocols is given. Further, cross layer and quality of service is discussed. As WBANs are placed on the human body and often transport private data, security is also considered. An overview of current and past projects is given. Finally, the open research issues and challenges are pointed out.