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News: Shen.AI ranked #1 for its unmatched accuracy, reliability and inclusivity.
News: Multi-Tonal Sensing Technology, enhances the platform's capability by up to 4X.
News: Shen.AI ranked #1 for its unmatched accuracy, reliability and inclusivity.
News: Multi-Tonal Sensing Technology, enhances the platform's capability by up to 4X.
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      MX Labs BLOG

      Why Is Camera-based Health Monitoring Different From Existing Methods?

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      Computers and mobile devices are rapidly capturing areas of activity that, until recently, were considered the prerogative of humans. Nowadays, an ordinary smartphone is enough to determine the heart rate and other important physiologic data. Until now, remote health monitoring has been conducted mainly for high-risk patients. Usually, it was associated with medical observation after surgery or some heart diseases. In this article, we want to open your eyes to the new methods of camera-based remote health monitoring. 

      What’s the Need for Remote Health Monitoring?

      More than 4 billion people in the world have problems with the availability of medical assistance. The problem of early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases is particularly acute. This is all the more important since such a diagnostic would avoid the development of hypertension and reduce the risk of death from heart attacks and other causes associated with high blood pressure. Meanwhile, modern methods of diagnosing heart problems are becoming available to almost everybody.

      In general terms, these observations are based on the correlation between the nervous system activity and heart rate as well as some other vital parameters. The nervous system consists of two parts: somatic, which is responsible for a conscious reaction to external conditions, and autonomic, which controls the vital functions of the body. In turn, the autonomic nervous system is divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic.

      The sympathetic nervous system is activated in stressful situations. The result is an increase in heart and respiration rate as well as an increase in blood pressure. When the stress passes, the body restores its normal parameters due to parasympathetic nervous system activity. The difference between these states is well expressed for young and healthy people. However, that’s not the case for people prone to high blood pressure and other health problems.

      If the heart rate remains high even at rest, there is a strong reason to seek medical assistance or at least try to reduce the load. Until recently, the main problem for remote monitoring of the state of the body was the technical implementation of these methods. As a rule, the methods used required either attaching sensors to the surface of the skin or introducing them into the body by injection.

      Both methods at least cause discomfort to the patient and even pain. That is why there was a need to create a new non-disturbing technology for remote health monitoring. Luckily, we at MX Labs managed to create a method that only needs an ordinary smartphone with a camera

      The number of owners of smartphones and tablets equipped with a video camera is growing from year to year, so it seems quite logical to use these devices at their maximum. We are proud to offer your our mobile product for remote vital signs monitoring:

      heart rate;

      blood pressure;

      heart rate variability;

      respiration rate.

      These measurements are available to any owner of a mobile device and in almost any environment. To do this, you do not need to have any medical knowledge, since everybody knows their normal indicators. Lastly, haven’t you noticed how low the cost of extending your life is? That’s a fact to think about.

      What’s Camera-based Health Monitoring?

      Our approach to remote diagnostics of heart activity uses the method of photoplethysmography, so it’s called remote photoplethysmography (rPPG). It’s based on the fact that human skin, particularly the face, changes its tone depending on blood circulation. This solution is based on technology which has been widely used, among others, in pulse oximeters.

      Thus, the frequency of changes in skin tones of the face allows you to determine the heart rate and blood pressure. So all you need is short-term video observation of skin color using the camera. For instance, it takes only 5 seconds to measure the heart rate. At the same time, the measurement accuracy is exceptionally high (1.5 beats per minute), which makes it possible to replace any other existing methods.

      What’s the Difference Between Camera-based Health Monitoring and Other Methods?

      The main feature of the camera-based methods of remote health monitoring differs from the majority of medical technologies. Here we must underline what the main differences are. 

      Doesn’t need any assistance;

      Our software Development Kit can be easily integrated with your app or web platform and provides an intuitive interface which  is easy to learn for any user. It does not require qualified assistance from consultants or medical personnel

      Hygienic & Contactless;

      Our camera-based remote vital signs monitoring doesn’t require any medical intervention. Unlike wristbands and watches, our solution is contactless and can be used remotely. It also does not require cleaning from previous users. It’s absolutely painless and hygienic, even in field conditions.

      Cheap and simple;

      A friendly interface and no need to use devices other than a smartphone makes our technology can be used anytime and anywhere. 

      Available for every smartphone owner on app or web;

      Unlike other methods of remote health monitoring, our solution doesn’t require large expenses, as well as complex equipment such as infrared thermal imagers. Smartphones are the most common devices – this makes it possible to carry out measurements in a simple way and on a large scale.

      It allows for comparing historical data on the fly.

      The software allows you to keep a log of measurements. Moreover, the results are sent directly to databases such as HIS. This is great for the early detection of disturbing trends and asking for medical help without wasting time.

      It can be integrated with applications as well as computers and hardware (for example, magic mirrors).

      Easy and fast integration;

      Our Software Development Kit can be easily integrated with your app or web platform and provides an intuitive interface which is easy to learn for any user. It does not require qualified assistance from consultants or medical personnel.

      Conclusions

      Remote health monitoring with a camera is not another unhelpful thing that your smartphone can doit is entering a new era where everyone can have access to cheap and affordable prevention and health diagnosis.

      The technologies of camera-based health monitoring described in this article are increasingly used in everyday life. It’s astonishing that health professional software can be adopted directly into your personal devices, like any smartphone and laptop. 

      You can find the solution presentation for free in our HEART MONITOR app on Google Play or App Store or at webheartmonitor.com.

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      AI-Driven App Detects Early Signs of Disease Using Only a Smartphone Camera
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