BioSignal Processing

Introduction
Biological signals or biosignals Are space, time, or spacetime records of a biological event such as a beating heart or a contracting muscle. The electrical, chemical, and Mechanical activity that occurs during these biological event often produces signals that can be measured and analyzed. Contain useful information that can be used to understand the underlying physiological mechanisms of a specific biological event or system, and which may be useful for medical diagnosis.

Introduction
Digital processing methods

Data acquisition
Using stethoscope to listen to patients heart

Signal analysis
Retrieve useful information Amplification Filtering Digitization Processing Storage

Physiological Origins of Biosignals

Bioelectric Signals
Generated by nerve and muscle cells as a result of electrochemical changes within and between cells Can be measured with intracellular or extracellular electrodes ECG, EGG, EEG, and EMG are results of the Bioelectric signals taken from the human body

Physiological Origins of Biosignals

Biomagnetic Signals
Different organs(heart, lungs & brain) generate weak magnetic fields Measured from specific physiological activity that is linked to an accompanying electric field from a specific tissue or organ
Uses very precise magnetic sensors or SQUID magnetometers (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device)

Physiological Origins of Biosignals

Bio magnetic Signals (cont.)
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) - monitor magnetic activity from the brain Magnetoneurography (MNG) monitor peripheral nerves Magnetogastrography (MGG) monitor gastrointestinal tract Magnetocardiography (MCG) monitor the heart

Physiological Origins of Biosignals

Biochemical Signals
Contain information about changes in concentration of various chemical agents in the body Oxygen concentration
Determine levels of glucose, lactate and metabolites Provides information about the function of various physiological systems

Physiological Origins of Biosignals

Biomechanical Signals
Produced by the mechanical functions of biological signals such as: motion, displacement, tension, force, pressure, and flow

Blood pressure measurement

Physiological Origins of Biosignals

Bioacoustic Signals
Are special subset of biomechanical signals that involve vibrations (motion) Respiratory system, joints, and muscles generate distinct bioacoustic signals Often measured at the skin using acoustic transducers such as microphones and accelerometers

Physiological Origins of Biosignals

Biooptical Signals
Generated by the optical, or light-induced, attributes of biological systems May occur naturally or signals can be introduced to measure a biological parameter using an external light medium

Characteristics of Biosignals
Biosignals can be classified according to various characteristics: Waveform Shape Statistical Structure Temporal Properties 2 broad classes of signals: Continuous Discrete

Characteristics of Biosignals
Continuous Signals
Defined over a continuum of time or space and are described by continuous variable functions Produced by biological phenomena: Like voltage measurements from the heart Arterial blood pressure measurements Measurements of electrical activity from the brain

Characteristics of Biosignals
Discrete Signals
Defined only at a subset of regularly spaced points in time and/or space Commonly used in todays clinical setting
Continuous signals from human body are converted to discrete signals that can be analyzed and interpreted by a computer