City Research Online

Abstract

This thesis marks a significant advancement in photoplethysmography (PPG) with the development of novel pulsatile phantoms, primarily through the innovative application of a continuous dip-coating vessel production. This approach achieved vessels with median wall thickness of 60 μm, surpassing commercial solutions in replicating human vascular structures. The resulting phantoms closely mimic the mechanical and optical properties of biological tissue, enhancing the accuracy and realism of PPG in-vitro simulations.

A key component of this research was the development of specialized instrumentation to work in tandem with these advanced phantoms. This instrumentation, designed for precise data acquisition and analysis, has opened new possibilities for in-depth fundamental research in PPG. It enables more sophisticated studies into the interaction of light with vascular structures and facilitates a comprehensive examination of cardiovascular dynamics under various physiological conditions.

The use of these phantoms to simulate various blood pressure states has provided valuable insights into cardiovascular dynamics and their effect on PPG signal morphology. This has enhanced our understanding of the biophysical mechanisms of PPG and opened up possibilities for its use in comprehensive diagnostics, potentially transforming early detection and monitoring of cardiovascular conditions. The arterial compression study in this thesis demonstrates the potential of PPG for non-invasive blood pressure monitoring. By developing phantoms that replicate human arterial behaviour under different compression levels, we have established promising correlations that are fundamental for the future development of non-invasive blood pressure monitoring devices.

Looking to the future, the advancements in phantom design and instrumentation lay a solid foundation for advancing PPG technology. The potential to refine these models further, including the incorporation of microvascular structures and multi-layered tissue characteristics, promises to open new avenues in cardiovascular research. This progress is expected to significantly enhance non-invasive cardiovascular monitoring, with broad implications for clinical research and healthcare applications.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General) T Technology T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Departments:	School of Science & Technology > Engineering School of Science & Technology > School of Science & Technology Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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