Photoplethysmography and its application in clinical physiological measurement

Epilepsy is an electrophysiological disorder of the brain, characterized by recurrent seizures. Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that measures and records the electrical activity of the brain, and is widely used in the detection and analysis of epileptic seizures. However, it is often difficult to identify subtle but critical changes in the EEG waveform by visual inspection, thus opening up a vast research area for biomedical engineers to develop and implement several intelligent algorithms for the identification of such subtle changes. Moreover, the EEG signals are nonlinear and non-stationary in nature, which contribute to further complexities related to their manual interpretation and detection of normal and abnormal (interictal and ictal) activities. Hence, it is necessary to develop a Computer Aided Diagnostic (CAD) system to automatically identify the normal and abnormal activities using minimum number of highly discriminating features in classifiers. It has been found that nonlinear features are able to capture the complex physiological phenomena such as abrupt transitions and chaotic behavior in the EEG signals. In this review, we discuss various feature extraction methods and the results of different automated epilepsy stage detection techniques in detail. We also briefly present the various open ended challenges that need to be addressed before a CAD based epilepsy detection system can be set-up in a clinical setting.

Automated EEG analysis of epilepsy: A review

In this paper, we present a new method for classification of electroencephalogram (EEG) signals using empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method. The intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) generated by EMD method can be considered as a set of amplitude and frequency modulated (AM-FM) signals. The Hilbert transformation of IMFs provides an analytic signal representation of the IMFs. The two bandwidths, namely amplitude modulation bandwidth (BAM) and frequency modulation bandwidth (BFM), computed from the analytic IMFs, have been used as an input to least squares support vector machine (LS-SVM) for classifying seizure and nonseizure EEG signals. The proposed method for classification of EEG signals based on the bandwidth features (BAM and BFM) and the LS-SVM has provided better classification accuracy than the method adopted by Liang and coworkers in their study published in 2010. The experimental results with the recorded EEG signals from a published dataset are included to show the effectiveness of the proposed method for EEG signal classification.

Classification of Seizure and Nonseizure EEG Signals Using Empirical Mode Decomposition

The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on the 11th of March 2020, but the world is still reeling from its aftermath. Originating from China, cases quickly spread across the globe, prompting the implementation of stringent measures by world governments in efforts to isolate cases and limit the transmission rate of the virus. These measures have however shattered the core sustaining pillars of the modern world economies as global trade and cooperation succumbed to nationalist focus and competition for scarce supplies. Against this backdrop, this paper presents a critical review of the catalogue of negative and positive impacts of the pandemic and proffers perspectives on how it can be leveraged to steer towards a better, more resilient low-carbon economy. The paper diagnosed the danger of relying on pandemic-driven benefits to achieving sustainable development goals and emphasizes a need for a decisive, fundamental structural change to the dynamics of how we live. It argues for a rethink of the present global economic growth model, shaped by a linear economy system and sustained by profiteering and energy-gulping manufacturing processes, in favour of a more sustainable model recalibrated on circular economy (CE) framework. Building on evidence in support of CE as a vehicle for balancing the complex equation of accomplishing profit with minimal environmental harms, the paper outlines concrete sector-specific recommendations on CE-related solutions as a catalyst for the global economic growth and development in a resilient post-COVID-19 world.

A critical analysis of the impacts of COVID-19 on the global economy and ecosystems and opportunities for circular economy strategies

We propose new features for classification of epileptic seizure EEG signals.Features were extracted from PSR of IMFs of EEG signals.We define ellipse area of 2D PSR and IQR of Euclidian distance of 3D PSR as features.LS-SVM classifier has been used for classification with the proposed features.Results were compared with other existing methods studied on the same EEG dataset. Epileptic seizure is the most common disorder of human brain, which is generally detected from electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. In this paper, we have proposed the new features based on the phase space representation (PSR) for classification of epileptic seizure and seizure-free EEG signals. The EEG signals are firstly decomposed using empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and phase space has been reconstructed for obtained intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). For the purpose of classification of epileptic seizure and seizure-free EEG signals, two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) PSRs have been used. New features based on the 2D and 3D PSRs of IMFs have been proposed for classification of epileptic seizure and seizure-free EEG signals. Two measures have been defined namely, 95% confidence ellipse area for 2D PSR and interquartile range (IQR) of the Euclidian distances for 3D PSR of IMFs of EEG signals. These measured parameters show significant difference between epileptic seizure and seizure-free EEG signals. The combination of these measured parameters for different IMFs has been utilized to form the feature set for classification of epileptic seizure EEG signals. Least squares support vector machine (LS-SVM) has been employed for classification of epileptic seizure and seizure-free EEG signals, and its classification performance has been evaluated using different kernels namely, radial basis function (RBF), Mexican hat wavelet and Morlet wavelet kernels. Simulation results with various performance parameters of classifier, have been included to show the effectiveness of the proposed method for classification of epileptic seizure and seizure-free EEG signals.

Classification of epileptic seizures in EEG signals based on phase space representation of intrinsic mode functions

Classification method capable of recognizing abnormal activities of the brain functionality are either brain imaging or brain signal analysis. The abnormal activity of interest in this study is characterized by a disturbance caused by changes in neuronal electrochemical activity that results in abnormal synchronous discharges. The method aims at helping physicians discriminate between healthy and seizure electroencephalographic (EEG) signals. Discrimination in this work is achieved by analyzing EEG signals obtained from freely accessible databases. MATLAB has been used to implement and test the proposed classification algorithm. The analysis in question presents a classification of normal and ictal activities using a feature relied on Hilbert-Huang Transform. Through this method, information related to the intrinsic functions contained in the EEG signal has been extracted to track the local amplitude and the frequency of the signal. Based on this local information, weighted frequencies are calculated and a comparison between ictal and seizure-free determinant intrinsic functions is then performed. Methods of comparison used are the t-test and the Euclidean clustering. The t-test results in a P-value < 0.02 and the clustering leads to accurate (94%) and specific (96%) results. The proposed method is also contrasted against the Multivariate Empirical Mode Decomposition that reaches 80% accuracy. Comparison results strengthen the contribution of this paper not only from the accuracy point of view but also with respect to its fast response and ease to use. An original tool for EEG signal processing giving physicians the possibility to diagnose brain functionality abnormalities is presented in this paper. The proposed system bears the potential of providing several credible benefits such as fast diagnosis, high accuracy, good sensitivity and specificity, time saving and user friendly. Furthermore, the classification of mode mixing can be achieved using the extracted instantaneous information of every IMF, but it would be most likely a hard task if only the average value is used. Extra benefits of this proposed system include low cost, and ease of interface. All of that indicate the usefulness of the tool and its use as an efficient diagnostic tool.

/pdf/seizure-classification-in-eeg-signals-utilizing-hilbert-2m7rmaard8.pdf

Seizure classification in EEG signals utilizing Hilbert-Huang transform

Medical waste management in Jordan: a study at the King Hussein Medical Center.

Cardiac-related diseases have been one major cause of death for an ever increasing number of patients over the last few decades throughout the world. In response, automatic classification of cardiac rhythms using Heart Rate Variability analysis as an effective diagnostic tool has recently emerged as an important field of research. Previous researches has proved that translating and transforming HRV data into numbers can introduce highly accurate assessments of rhythm disorders. However, to obtain reliable HRV interpretation, accurate QRS detection approaches must be utilized. This work, as motivated by the arguments just presented, reviews in detail the most recent and efficient techniques related to QRS feature extraction and HRV determination all classified and presented in a convenient fashion to facilitate coverage. The study also presents a state-of-the-art updated review on QRS detection and heart rate variability analyses that could serve as a handy future reference in this field of research based on more than 200 articles reviewed in this effort.

/pdf/qrs-detection-and-heart-rate-variability-analysis-a-survey-17tpeb28w3.pdf

QRS Detection and Heart Rate Variability Analysis: A Survey

Background: Computerized lung sound analysis involves recording lung sound via an electronic device, followed by computer analysis and classification based on specific signal characteristics as non-linearity and nonstationarity caused by air turbulence An automatic analysis is necessary to avoid dependence on expert skills Methods: This work revolves around exploiting autocorrelation in the feature extraction stage All process stages were implemented in MATLAB The classification process was performed comparatively using both artificial neural networks (ANNs) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS) toolboxes The methods have been applied to 10 different respiratory sounds for classification Results: The ANN was superior to the ANFIS system and returned superior performance parameters Its accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity were 986%, 100%, and 978%, respectively The obtained parameters showed superiority to many recent approaches Conclusions: The promising proposed method is an efficient fast tool for the intended purpose as manifested in the performance parameters, specifically, accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity Furthermore, it may be added that utilizing the autocorrelation function in the feature extraction in such applications results in enhanced performance and avoids undesired computation complexities compared to other techniques

http://biomedj.cgu.edu.tw/pdfs/2015/38/2/images/BiomedJ_2015_38_2_153_137773.pdf

An alternative respiratory sounds classification system utilizing artificial neural networks.

The effective maintenance management of medical technology influences the quality of care delivered and the profitability of healthcare facilities. Medical equipment maintenance in Jordan lacks an objective prioritization system; consequently, the system is not sensitive to the impact of equipment downtime on patient morbidity and mortality. The current work presents a novel software system (EQUIMEDCOMP) that is designed to achieve valuable improvements in the maintenance management of medical technology. This work-order prioritization model sorts medical maintenance requests by calculating a priority index for each request. Model performance was assessed by utilizing maintenance requests from several Jordanian hospitals. The system proved highly efficient in minimizing equipment downtime based on healthcare delivery capacity, and, consequently, patient outcome. Additionally, a preventive maintenance optimization module and an equipment quality control system are incorporated. The system is, therefore, expected to improve the reliability of medical equipment and significantly improve safety and cost-efficiency.

/pdf/an-intelligent-healthcare-management-system-a-new-approach-2bp4z7skxy.pdf

Rami J. Oweis

Papers

Seizure classification in EEG signals utilizing Hilbert-Huang transform

Medical waste management in Jordan: a study at the King Hussein Medical Center.

QRS Detection and Heart Rate Variability Analysis: A Survey

An alternative respiratory sounds classification system utilizing artificial neural networks.

An Intelligent Healthcare Management System: A New Approach in Work-order Prioritization for Medical Equipment Maintenance Requests