First approach for respiratory monitoring by amplitude demodulation of the electrocardiogram

Abstract

This paper presents a new method for cardiorespiratory monitoring called Cardio-Modulo-Respirography (C.M.R.). Its principle is based on amplitude demodulation of the electrocardiogram (ECG). The C.M.R. is compared to the classical method of Impedance Rheography (I.R.) by simultaneous respiratory signal recordings on newborns and adults. On a qualitative analysis, C.M.R. is more insensitive to movement- and cardiac artifacts than I.R. Furthermore, it permits the cardiorespiratory monitoring and apnea detection without electric current injection throuth the chest. The first results lead us to improve the C.M.R. electronic system sensibility in order to adjust it to new-borns and prematures.