Biosignal Generation and Latent Variable Analysis with Recurrent Generative Adversarial Networks

The effectiveness of biosignal generation and data augmentation with biosignal generative models based on generative adversarial networks (GANs), which are a type of deep learning technique, was demonstrated in our previous paper. GAN-based generative models only learn the projection between a random distribution as input data and the distribution of training data.Therefore, the relationship between input and generated data is unclear, and the characteristics of the data generated from this model cannot be controlled. This study proposes a method for generating time-series data based on GANs and explores their ability to generate biosignals with certain classes and characteristics. Moreover, in the proposed method, latent variables are analyzed using canonical correlation analysis (CCA) to represent the relationship between input and generated data as canonical loadings. Using these loadings, we can control the characteristics of the data generated by the proposed method. The influence of class labels on generated data is analyzed by feeding the data interpolated between two class labels into the generator of the proposed GANs. The CCA of the latent variables is shown to be an effective method of controlling the generated data characteristics. We are able to model the distribution of the time-series data without requiring domain-dependent knowledge using the proposed method. Furthermore, it is possible to control the characteristics of these data by analyzing the model trained using the proposed method. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first to generate biosignals using GANs while controlling the characteristics of the generated data

Robust Individual Circadian Parameter Estimation for Biosignal-based Personalisation of Cancer Chronotherapy

In cancer treatment, chemotherapy is administered according a constant schedule. The chronotherapy approach, considering chronobiological drug delivery, adapts the chemotherapy profile to the circadian rhythms of the human organism. This reduces toxicity effects and at the same time enhances efficiency of chemotherapy. To personalize cancer treatment, chemotherapy profiles have to be further adapted to individual patients. Therefore, we present a new model to represent cycle phenomena in circadian rhythms. The model enables a more precise modelling of the underlying circadian rhythms. In comparison with the standard model, our model delivers better results in all defined quality indices. The new model can be used to adapt the chemotherapy profile efficiently to individual patients. The adaption to individual patients contributes to the aim of personalizing cancer therapy.Comment: Conference Biosig 2016, Berli

Biosignal and context monitoring: Distributed multimedia applications of body area networks in healthcare

We are investigating the use of Body Area Networks (BANs), wearable sensors and wireless communications for measuring, processing, transmission, interpretation and display of biosignals. The goal is to provide telemonitoring and teletreatment services for patients. The remote health professional can view a multimedia display which includes graphical and numerical representation of patients’ biosignals. Addition of feedback-control enables teletreatment services; teletreatment can be delivered to the patient via multiple modalities including tactile, text, auditory and visual. We describe the health BAN and a generic mobile health service platform and two context aware applications. The epilepsy application illustrates processing and interpretation of multi-source, multimedia BAN data. The chronic pain application illustrates multi-modal feedback and treatment, with patients able to view their own biosignals on their handheld device

Long-term biosignals visualization and processing

Thesis submitted in the fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master in Biomedical EngineeringLong-term biosignals acquisitions are an important source of information about the patients’state and its evolution. However, long-term biosignals monitoring involves managing extremely large datasets, which makes signal visualization and processing a complex task. To overcome these problems, a new data structure to manage long-term biosignals was developed. Based on this new data structure, dedicated tools for long-term biosignals visualization and processing were implemented. A multilevel visualization tool for any type of biosignals, based on subsampling is presented, focused on four representative signal parameters (mean, maximum, minimum and standard deviation error). The visualization tool enables an overview of the entire signal and a more detailed visualization in specific parts which we want to highlight, allowing an user friendly interaction that leads to an easier signal exploring. The ”map” and ”reduce” concept is also exposed for long-term biosignal processing. A processing tool (ECG peak detection) was adapted for long-term biosignals. In order to test the developed algorithm, long-term biosignals acquisitions (approximately 8 hours each) were carried out. The visualization tool has proven to be faster than the standard methods, allowing a fast navigation over the different visualization levels of biosignals. Regarding the developed processing algorithm, it detected the peaks of long-term ECG signals with fewer time consuming than the nonparalell processing algorithm. The non-specific characteristics of the new data structure, visualization tool and the speed improvement in signal processing introduced by these algorithms makes them powerful tools for long-term biosignals visualization and processing

Biosignals as an Advanced Man-Machine Interface

As is known for centuries, humans exhibit an electrical profile. This profile is altered through various physiological processes, which can be measured through biosignals; e.g., electromyography (EMG) and electrodermal activity (EDA). These biosignals can reveal our emotions and, as such, can serve as an advanced man-machine interface (MMI) for empathic consumer products. However, such an MMI requires the correct classification of biosignals to emotion classes. This paper explores the use of EDA and three facial EMG signals to determine neutral, positive, negative, and mixed emotions, using recordings of 24 people. A range of techniques is tested, which resulted in a generic framework for automated emotion classification with up to 61.31% correct classification of the four emotion classes, without the need of personal profiles. Among various other directives for future research, the results emphasize the need for both personalized biosignal-profiles and the recording of multiple biosignals in parallel

Affective Man-Machine Interface: Unveiling human emotions through biosignals

As is known for centuries, humans exhibit an electrical profile. This profile is altered through various psychological and physiological processes, which can be measured through biosignals; e.g., electromyography (EMG) and electrodermal activity (EDA). These biosignals can reveal our emotions and, as such, can serve as an advanced man-machine interface (MMI) for empathic consumer products. However, such a MMI requires the correct classification of biosignals to emotion classes. This chapter starts with an introduction on biosignals for emotion detection. Next, a state-of-the-art review is presented on automatic emotion classification. Moreover, guidelines are presented for affective MMI. Subsequently, a research is presented that explores the use of EDA and three facial EMG signals to determine neutral, positive, negative, and mixed emotions, using recordings of 21 people. A range of techniques is tested, which resulted in a generic framework for automated emotion classification with up to 61.31% correct classification of the four emotion classes, without the need of personal profiles. Among various other directives for future research, the results emphasize the need for parallel processing of multiple biosignals

Nonlinear Adaptive Signal Processing Improves the Diagnostic Quality of Transabdominal Fetal Electrocardiography

The abdominal fetal electrocardiogram (fECG) conveys valuable information that can aid clinicians with the diagnosis and monitoring of a potentially at risk fetus during pregnancy and in childbirth. This chapter primarily focuses on noninvasive (external and indirect) transabdominal fECG monitoring. Even though it is the preferred monitoring method, unlike its classical invasive (internal and direct) counterpart (transvaginal monitoring), it may be contaminated by a variety of undesirable signals that deteriorate its quality and reduce its value in reliable detection of hypoxic conditions in the fetus. A stronger maternal electrocardiogram (the mECG signal) along with technical and biological artifacts constitutes the main interfering signal components that diminish the diagnostic quality of the transabdominal fECG recordings. Currently, transabdominal fECG monitoring relies solely on the determination of the fetus’ pulse or heart rate (FHR) by detecting RR intervals and does not take into account the morphology and duration of the fECG waves (P, QRS, T), intervals, and segments, which collectively convey very useful diagnostic information in adult cardiology. The main reason for the exclusion of these valuable pieces of information in the determination of the fetus’ status from clinical practice is the fact that there are no sufficiently reliable and well-proven techniques for accurate extraction of fECG signals and robust derivation of these informative features. To address this shortcoming in fetal cardiology, we focus on adaptive signal processing methods and pay particular attention to nonlinear approaches that carry great promise in improving the quality of transabdominal fECG monitoring and consequently impacting fetal cardiology in clinical practice. Our investigation and experimental results by using clinical-quality synthetic data generated by our novel fECG signal generator suggest that adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems could produce a significant advancement in fetal monitoring during pregnancy and childbirth. The possibility of using a single device to leverage two advanced methods of fetal monitoring, namely noninvasive cardiotocography (CTG) and ST segment analysis (STAN) simultaneously, to detect fetal hypoxic conditions is very promising

New visualization model for large scale biosignals analysis

Benefits of long-term monitoring have drawn considerable attention in healthcare. Since the acquired data provides an important source of information to clinicians and researchers, the choice for long-term monitoring studies has become frequent. However, long-term monitoring can result in massive datasets, which makes the analysis of the acquired biosignals a challenge. In this case, visualization, which is a key point in signal analysis, presents several limitations and the annotations handling in which some machine learning algorithms depend on, turn out to be a complex task. In order to overcome these problems a novel web-based application for biosignals visualization and annotation in a fast and user friendly way was developed. This was possible through the study and implementation of a visualization model. The main process of this model, the visualization process, comprised the constitution of the domain problem, the abstraction design, the development of a multilevel visualization and the study and choice of the visualization techniques that better communicate the information carried by the data. In a second process, the visual encoding variables were the study target. Finally, the improved interaction exploration techniques were implemented where the annotation handling stands out. Three case studies are presented and discussed and a usability study supports the reliability of the implemented work

A STUDY ON CLOUD BASED BIO-SIGNALS MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

An analytical study of the complete framework for the management of biosignals is done. The framework provides for the acquisition, and storage of the biosignals, along with the associated metadata. It also provides solutions for validation, synchronization of acquired signals, thus allowing error-free signal inputs for further statistical analysis. The model comprises primarily of four layers, namely, acquisition, validation, post-processing and statistical analysis layers. Additionally, a presentation layer is also provided, wherein the appropriate end-user can use a suitable client or Web service to access the results of the statistical analysis. The raw data is deliberately spilt into two: Internal data (actual signal data) and External data (metadata) and they interact only when necessary (e.g. Identifying the biosignal's origin). Microservices are used to compartmentalize the functionalities required in the system. Additional solutions to problems plaguing the present models (like cloud-upload bottleneck) are also discussed.Â