A multi-sensor platform for monitoring diabetic peripheral neuropathy

This paper proposes a novel concept of using a multiple PPG and ECG based sensing platform aimed for monitoring the progress of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). It explores the use of PPG sensor to capture pulse arrival time (PAT). Based on the same principal of using Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) to assess DPN, this paper proposes a platform which integrated two PPG sensors and one 2-lead ECG sensor to detect the difference in PAT (pulse arrive time on the finger compare to the time when the pulse reaches the ankle) as a surrogate measure for evaluating the progression of DPN. Preliminary results show that PAT increases when a pressure was applied onto upper leg using a blood pressure cuff simulating arterial stiffness/DPN. It shows that PDN can potentially be quantified by measuring PAT by using the proposed platform.