Noncontact Heart and Respiratory Rate Monitoring of Preterm Infants Based on a Computer Vision System: Protocol for a Method Comparison Study

Kim Gibson; Ali Al‐Naji; Julie‐Anne Fleet; Mary Steen; Javaan Chahl; Jasmine Huynh; Scott A. Morris

doi:10.2196/13400

May 25, 2019JMIR Research ProtocolsOpen Access

Noncontact Heart and Respiratory Rate Monitoring of Preterm Infants Based on a Computer Vision System: Protocol for a Method Comparison Study

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Why the study?

Biomedical research using noncontact methods to measure heart rate and respiratory rate in neonates has produced mixed results.

Does a noncontact computer vision system accurately detect heart rate and respiratory rate compared to 3-lead ECG in preterm infants?

Structured PICO

Does a noncontact computer vision system accurately detect heart rate and respiratory rate compared to 3-lead ECG in preterm infants?

P

Population

10 preterm infants in the neonatal unit

I

Intervention

Noncontact computer vision system to detect heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR)

C

Comparator

3-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)

O

Outcome

Accuracy of HR and RR detection relative to 3-lead ECGsurrogate

This protocol outlines a study to validate a noncontact computer vision system for monitoring heart and respiratory rates in preterm infants against standard ECG.

Implication

Protocol for noncontact HR/RR monitoring in preterm infants leaves accuracy open; supports prospective ECG validation before clinical use.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Biomedical research in the application of noncontact methods to measure heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) in the neonatal population has produced mixed results. This paper describes and discusses a protocol for conducting a method comparison study, which aims to determine the accuracy of a proposed noncontact computer vision system to detect HR and RR relative to the HR and RR obtained by 3-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) in preterm infants in the neonatal unit. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this preliminary study is to determine the accuracy of a proposed noncontact computer vision system to detect HR and RR relative to the HR and RR obtained by 3-lead ECG in preterm infants in the neonatal unit. METHODS: A single-center cross-sectional study was planned to be conducted in the neonatal unit at Flinders Medical Centre, South Australia, in May 2018. A total of 10 neonates and their ECG monitors will be filmed concurrently for 10 min using digital cameras. Advanced image processing techniques are to be applied later to determine their physiological data at 3 intervals. These data will then be compared with the ECG readings at the same points in time. RESULTS: Study enrolment began in May 2018. Results of this study were published in July 2019. CONCLUSIONS: The study will analyze the data obtained by the noncontact system in comparison to data obtained by ECG, identify factors that may influence data extraction and accuracy when filming infants, and provide recommendations for how this noncontact system may be implemented into clinical applications. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR1-10.2196/13400.