Measurement of Pulse Rate

Introduction
Each time the heart muscle contracts, blood is ejected from the ventricles and a pulse of pressure is transmitted through the circulatory system. Pressure pulse travels which is measurable at various points of the peripheral circulatory system. Pulse can be measured in the wrist or some other location.

 The timing and wave shape of the pressure pulse provide valuable information. Instruments used to detect the arterial pulse and pulse pressure waveforms plethysmographs.

Method 1
Methods used for the detection of volume(pulse) changes due to blood flow : Electrical impedance changes Strain gauge or microphone

Optical changes

Electrical impedance change: An electric impedance method measures the impedance change between two electrodes caused by the change in blood volume between them. The change in impedance may be small as compared to the total impedance. It is measured by applying an alternating current between electrodes.

Strain gauge or microphone: Strain gauge connected to a rubber band placed around a limb or finger. Expansion in the band due to change in blood volume causes a change in resistance of the strain gauge. Optical change: Sensitive crystal microphone is placed on the skins surface to pick up the signal.

Method 2
The most commonly used method to measure blood volume changes is by photoelectric method. Reflectance method Transmittance method

Reflectance method

Transmittance method

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