Scientists from Altai Krai have developed a ground breaking technology that uses a camera to remotely monitor key physiological parameters, including pulse and blood pressure, and assesses the risks of diseases, such as heart attack and diabetes. This innovation was reported to TASS by one of the developers Roman Panarin, a postgraduate student at the Institute of Mathematics and Information Technology at Altai State University.
"The uniqueness of the project lies in the integration of two advanced technologies: remote registration of tissue optical density and pupillometry (the procedure for measuring the pupil size). Together, these methods enable to contactlessly measure heart rate, heart rate variability parameters, blood pressure, and respiratory rate, assess the risks of diseases, including diabetes and heart attack, and also analyze pupil reactions to assess the nervous system’s state. This combined solution allows for more accurate and comprehensive diagnostics, facilitating real-time health monitoring without the need for additional devices or sensors,” as Panarin said.
This technology currently has no analogues in the Russian market, and existing foreign developments face limitations due to requirements for lighting and facial recording. Typically, the photoplethysmography method relies on physical sensors, such as lasers directed at the patient's finger or wrist. In contrast, the new development analyzes facial images, enabling remote measurements without requiring the patient to remain fixed in front of the camera.
The software tools developed within the framework of the project can be integrated into medical mobile applications, which doctors can use during online consultations. While conversing with patients, the application will analyze their facial features via a webcam to measure certain parameters and give the result. For example, pulse or heart rate variability.
"Our technology is distinguished by its capability to take measurements in non-laboratory conditions, including during movement and in low light. In addition, the integration of pupillometry for analyzing pupil photoreaction makes our project globally unique," said Roman Panarin.
Natalia Ogloblina, co-founder and CEO of the project, noted that it won the Start-Artificial Intelligence-1 competition orzanized by the Foundation for Assistance to Innovations and received a grantsupport of 4 million rubles. The project also involved Altai State University students Ivan Sokolov and Ivan Kucherov. The team became finalist of the bio/medtech accelerator SechenTech and was invited to the Moscow Innovation Cluster and the Intersectoral Cluster of Bioinformatics and Medical Technologies. This year, they plan to apply for residency at the Skolkovo Innovation Center.