System and method for spatial cardiovascular monitoring

Abstract

There is disclosed a system and method for measuring arterial and venous blood pulse waveforms (BPWs) of a subject utilizing photoplethysmography (PPG). In an embodiment, the system and method comprises: providing a plurality of virtual sensors positioned to cover a desired field-of-view of the subject, each virtual sensor adapted to detect and measure a BPW signal from an area of the subject's body and provide a BPW signal output; processing the BPW signal outputs of the plurality of virtual sensors to compare the BPWs at multiple areas of the subject's body to perform spatial perfusion analysis; and displaying at least one aggregate output based on the spatial perfusion analysis. At least one aggregate output may include a visualization of one or more perfusion patterns overlaid on a photographic image of the subject, and aggregate statistics including subject heart rate and breathing rate. The system and method may use a signal from one of the virtual sensors as a reference waveform for cardiovascular monitoring in the generation of parametric maps for assessing BPW characteristics at various parts of the body simultaneously. The system and method may also include a contact photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor, which is connected to the DSP and provides a BPW as a reference waveform for improved cardiovascular monitoring in the generation of parametric maps for assessing BPW characteristics at various parts of the body simultaneously.