Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

5-31-1993

Degree Name

Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering - (M.S.)

Department

Biomedical Engineering Committee

First Advisor

Peter Engler

Second Advisor

Stanley S. Reisman

Third Advisor

David S. Kristol

Abstract

A study is done using a Microwave Interferometer as a computer-assisted non-invasive cardiopulmonary monitor. The Microwave Interferometer is used to record the mechanical vibration of the anterior chest wall by recording the velocity of the displacement of the chest wall. The objective is to first, record mechanical vibrations of the anterior chest wall at different heart rates, and second, attempt to identify the relation between heart rate and chest wall vibration.

The system uses two channels, the first signal produced by the Microwave Interferometer is a record of the velocity of the displacement of the chest wall caused by the heart. The second signal is produced by the Electrocardiogram(ECG), serving as a timing reference signal.

The Interferometer and the ECG output signals are separately and simultaneously sent to an IBM-AT via an attached DASH-16 A/D board. The ASYST( A Scientific System ) software package, is used to process and convert digitized data and then produce a graphic output of the results.

Results that have been obtained from testing the system have been encouraging. Repeated signals from the Interferometer are observed as the heart rate changes. The amplitude of these signals vary with the heart rate. At this time, it is observed that the relationship between heart rate and the spectral distribution of chest wall vibration cannot be clearly defined. However, it is believed that the information gathered could be utilized in future research involving the mechanical dynamics within the cardiac cycle and chest wall vibrations.

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