Bio-Signal Processing

LECTURE#1
INTRODUCTION TO BIO SIGNAL
PROCESSING
Content

 Signal and System

 Classification of Signals
 Bio Signals
 Types of Bio Signals
 Physiological Origins of Biosignals
 Digital Processing methods
 Interlink of DSP with BSP
 Signal and System:

SIGNAL:
 Signal is a function which contains some information.
 A signal is formally defined as a function of one or more variable that conveys
information on the nature of a physical phenomenon.
 One dimensional signal: function of a single variable.
Eg. Speech signal
 Two dimensional signal: functions of two variables.
Eg. Image
 Signal and System:

SYSTEM:
 Interconnection of devices or components which convert signal from one form to
another form.
 A system is formally defined as an entity that manipulates one or more signals to
accomplish a function, thereby yielding new signals.
 Analog system and Digital system
Classification of Signals:

 Discreet
 Continuous
 Analog
 Digital
 Even & odd
 Energy & power etc..
Classification of Signals:

Continuous Signal:
A signal is called continuous if its variable on x-axis is continuous in nature.
Discreet Signal:
A signal is called discreet if its variable on x-axis is integral in nature.
Classification of Signals:

Analog Signal:
A signal is called Analog signal if it can take any value on y-axis or amplitude axis.
Digital Signal:
A signal is called Digital signal if it can take finite values on y-axis.
 Bio signals:

 Definition:
Biological signals or biosignals, are space, time, or space-time records of a
biological event such as beating heart or contracting muscle.
 Contains useful information that can be used to understand the underlying
physiological Mechanism of a specific biological system, that may be useful for
medical diagnosis.
 Physiological Origins of Biosignals

 Bioelectric Signals: (voltage and current)

 Nerve and Muscle cells generate bioelectric signals.

 Electrodes are used to measure them (Intracellular electrodes and extra cellular electrodes)

 ECG, EGG, EEG, and EMG

 Physiological Origins of Biosignals

 Biomagnetic Signals (magnetic fields)

 Different organs including brain, heart and lungs generate weak magnetic field that can be
measured by means of magnetic sensors. (heart, lungs & brain) generate weak magnetic
fields
 By using an aid as a very precise magnetic sensors or SQUID magnetometers
(Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) it is possible to monitor magnetic field
directly.
 Physiological Origins of Biosignals

 Bio magnetic Signals (cont.)

 To monitor magnetic activity from the brain Magneto encephalography (MEG)

 To monitor peripheral nerves

Magneto neurography (MNG)

 To monitor gastrointestinal tract

Magneto gastrography (MGG)

 To monitor the heart Magneto cardiography (MCG)

 Physiological Origins of Biosignals

 Biochemical Signals (concentration)

 Contain information about changes in concentration of various chemical agents in the body.
 Various Ions concentration as calcium, potassium.
 Determine level of oxygen and levels of glucose, lactate and metabolites in order to Provides
information about the function of various physiological systems
 Physiological Origins of Biosignals

 Biomechanical Signals: (pressure and flow)

 Produced by the mechanical functions of biological signals such as:
 motion, displacement, tension, force, pressure, and flow
 Blood pressure is measurement of
Force that blood exerts against the
walls of blood vessels.
 Movement of chest wall w.r.t respiration

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 Physiological Origins of Biosignals

 Bioacoustic Signals As many biological events produce acoustic noise these Are
special subset of biomechanical signals that involve vibrations (motion),.
 Flow of Blood through valves in heart has a distinctive sound. Or flow of air through lungs.
 Joints, Muscles and Respiratory system produce distinct bioacoustic signals
 Often measured at the skin using acoustic transducers such as microphones and
accelerometers
 Physiological Origins of Biosignals

 Bio optical Signals (reflection, refraction, scattering of light)

 Generated by the optical, or light-induced, attributes of biological systems

 May occur naturally or signals can be introduced to measure a biological parameter using an
external light medium.
 For Example: Health of Fetus may be obtained by measuring the fluorescence characteristics
of amniotic fluid.
 Characteristics of Biosignals

 Biosignals can be classified according to various characteristics:

1. Waveform shape
2. Statistical Structure
3. Temporal Properties (temporal property - a property relating to time.)

 2 broad classes of signals:

1. Continuous (continuum of time or space and are described by continuous
variable functions)
2. Discrete (defined are defined only at a subset of regularly spaced points in time
or space)
 Characteristics of Biosignals

 Continuous Signals:
 Defined over a continuum of time or space and are described by
continuous variable functions
 Produced by biological phenomena:
 Like voltage measurements from the heart
 Arterial blood pressure measurements
 Measurements of electrical activity from the brain
Characteristics of Biosignals

 Discrete Signals
 Defined only at a subset of regularly spaced points in time and/or
space

 Commonly used in today’s clinical setting

 Continuous signals from human body are converted to discrete

signals that can be analyzed and interpreted by a computer
Digital processing methods

 Data acquisition
 Using stethoscope to listen to patient’s heart
 Signal analysis
 Retrieve useful information
 Amplification
 Filtering
 Digitization
 Processing
 Storage
Reference

 Book Name: Introduction to Biomedical engineering

 Writer:Jhon Enderle, Susan Blanchard, Joseph Bronzino.
 Edition: 2nd
 Chapter#: 10
 Chapter Name: Biosignal Processing
Class Activity

 Give atleast 2 examples of each origin of biosignals.

 Classify those examples according to characteristics then.