Non-invasive measurement of heartbeat with a hydraulic bed sensor Progress, challenges, and opportunities

A hydraulic bed sensor has been developed to non-invasively measure heartbeat during sleep. The motivation for this work is to enable early detection of physiological and behavioral change, thereby allowing effective interventions prior to an acute event. The transducer configuration and signal processing strategies have progressed to provide a low-cost, effective solution to eldercare monitoring needs. This sensor is now being deployed into the homes of elders in two locations, integrating into existing ambient sensor networks to generate clinician alerts and provide an improved quality of care. Challenges and opportunities remain, and this paper reports on the current progress and development of the system.