Abstract: Algorithms for continuous BP monitoring using the load cell ballistocardiogram and the finger/toe photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals. This disclosure includes two different approaches; (1) a conventional pulse transit time-based model and (2) a U-Net-based model to predict BP from ballistocardiogram and PPG signals. In pulse transit time-based models, the pulse transit time was acquired through signal processing and linear regression was performed on its inverse to estimate BP. In the U-Net-based model, the source signals (ballistocardiogram and PPG) were translated to BP waveforms from which the BP values were estimated after calibration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the respiration of a patient supported on a patient support apparatus through receiving signals from load cells supporting a patient on the patient support apparatus, processing the signals to characterize movement of the patient's center of mass, using the movement of the patient's center of mass, determine respiratory characteristic of the patient, and communicating the respiratory characteristic of the patient to a caregiver.

Abstract: A ballistocardiogram (BCG), a measurement of cardiogenic whole body movements, is a technique that enables non-invasive cardiovascular monitoring. A main challenge of the BCG signal is that its morphology and amplitude are sensitive to the posture and/or position of the subject during the recording period. The effects of posture on the BCG measured from a subject standing on a weighing scale have been investigated in the literature, but the effects of body posture and/or position on BCG signals measured from a subject lying in a bed have not been quantified. A contemplated method for bed-based BCG recordings includes (1) creating templates for standing BCG signals obtained from subjects in a prior study, and (2) quantifying the distance between these templates and BCG waveforms obtained in different body positions on the bed for a new set of subjects.