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GRASP Lab Seminar 2003-2004
February 13, 11:00 AM, Levine Hall 307, hosted by Kostas Daniilidis.
Ioannis Pavlidis
University of Houston
Estimation of Pulse, Blood Flow Rate, and Vessel Location from Thermal Video
Abstract: We present a novel method for estimation of cardiac pulse, blood flow rate, and vessel location from thermal video. The method is based on a bioheat transfer model that accurately reflects the thermo- physiological processes within several millimeters from the surface of the skin. The model assumes the form of a partial differential equation with boundary conditions. Initially, we test the soundness of our model by performing direct numerical simulation and sensitivity analysis. Then, we solve the inverse problem both in steady and dynamic states on real data provided by a thermal imaging system. The accuracy of our experimental results is verified with ground-truth data collected from conventional biomedical sensors that require contact with the skin. Our method opens exciting possibilities in biometrics and biomedicine. Among others, it promises to revolutionize polygraph examinations by eliminating wiring and improving accuracy. It also establishes the feasibility of continuous 2D physiological monitoring of human patients at a distance.
Biography: Dr. Pavlidis joined the Computer Science Department of the University of Houston in September 2002, where currently holds the position of Associate Professor. His research interests are in the areas of computational biomedicine and imaging. Dr. Pavlidis published extensively in these areas in major journals and refereed conference proceedings over the past several years. His publication record includes articles in the IEEE Proceedings, New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, and Nature. His research work was cited extensively in the scientific literature and has been mentioned frequently by the international media including CNN, The Reuters, and The Time magazine. Dr. Pavlidis is a Fulbright Fellow, and a Senior Member of IEEE.
