Compact sensor offers contactless measurement of vital signs
Whether in a hospital, a vehicle or a manufacturing facility, monitoring a person's health without touching them or restricting their freedom to move can be useful in numerous situations. However, conventional measurement methods often require electrodes, cables or sensors worn on the body. On the one hand, this compromises comfort; on the other, it poses special hygiene challenges, particularly…
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute in Jena have developed a compact sensor called goVISCAN that can measure vital signs like heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation without contact. This innovative sensor operates using a novel multispectral camera with nine micro-lenses optimized for specific wavelengths, enabling reliable measurements even under varying lighting conditions and when the subject is moving.
The goVISCAN sensor's compact design measures only 10 × 7.5 × 2.5 centimeters, making it suitable for discreet integration into everyday environments. In initial laboratory tests with 12 participants, the sensor showed minimal error compared to conventional finger pulse oximeters for measuring respiratory rate (1.3 breaths per minute), heart rate (2.8 beats per minute), and oxygen saturation (3.8 percentage points).
The Fraunhofer IOF team will showcase goVISCAN at the W3+ and VISION trade shows in September and October, respectively, to demonstrate its potential applications in healthcare, telemedicine, driver monitoring, and monitoring in control rooms.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
