Obtaining the Heart Rate Information from the Speckle Images by Fractal Analysis Method

Year 2020, Volume: 16 Issue: 1, 47 - 53, 27.03.2020

Erkan Zeki Engin , Ayla Burçin Şişli , Arman Jalali Pahnvar Mehmet Engin

Abstract

Heart rate is the main data that shows
if the heart is working properly. Therefore, obtaining the heart rate
information has a vital importance. There are some methods to measure the heart
rate, but the most commonly used one is the Electrocardiography (ECG). However,
this method is expensive and non-portable. Therewithal, optical studies have
recently been conducted to measure heart rate. Being non-invasive, inexpensive,
and safe are the advantages of optical measurements. Laser speckle contrast
imaging is an effective and simple technique for imaging heterogeneous
environments such as human and animal tissues. By laser speckle contrast
analysis, heart rate can be obtained easily. It is the standard technique, but
fractal analysis method is also very convenient way to study speckle images
because speckle pattern is quite appropriate for studying fractality due to its
granular structure. In this paper, we present fractal analysis method for
obtaining heart rate information from speckle images. The results of this
method for the various in-vivo and in-vitro data were compared with the reference
model results of speckle contrast analysis method and it is observed that the
proposed analysis method has provided sufficient results.

Keywords

Fractal analysis, box counting, speckle, heart rate

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