IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308 _______________________________________________________________________________________ Volume: 04 Issue: 04 | Apr-2015, Available @ http://www.ijret.org 424 A REVIEW ON DIFFERENT TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF RESPIRATORY RATE MONITORS Karthik Mohan Rao 1 , B.G. Sudarshan 2 1 PG Student, Department of Instrumentation Technology, RV College Of Engineering, Bengaluru, India 2 Associate Professor, Department of Instrumentation Technology, RV College Of Engineering, Bengaluru, India Abstract Respiratory Rate (RR) is a very important physiological parameter to be monitored in both healthy and critical condition, as it gives meaningful information regarding their respiratory system performance as well as condition. Respiratory rate is an important vital sign that can indicate progression of illness but to also predict rapid decline in health. For the purpose, non- invasive monitoring systems are becoming more popular due to the self-evident increase in patient comfort. It can be hard to predict respiratory failure as it can lead to life threatening condition within a short span of time. Thus it necessitates continuous monitoring of respiratory activity and suitable monitoring equipment are developed which could be life-saving. The survey incorporates non-obtrusive strategies and gadgets used to give data about respiratory rate. Many types of respiratory rate monitors have been used for the measurement of the Respiration Rate. This review consists of seven types of Respiration Rate monitors with different sensors. Respiration Rate monitor using Ultrasonic Sensor and Respiration Rate monitor using facial tracking method are the non-contact respiration rate monitoring system. Respiration Rate measurement based on Impedance Pneumography and Respiration Rate measurement are based on the Thoracic Expansion measurement include the sensor that are placed on the thorax. Respiration Rate monitor with MEMS based Capacitive Pressure Sensor, Respiration Rate monitor with temperature sensor, Respiration Rate meter–a low–cost design approach uses sensors that are mounted within the oxygen mask. Thus the Respiratory Rate Monitors discussed in this paper provide optimal result to detect changes in the severity of chronic illnesses. Keywords: Respiratory Rate, RSA, RSS, Doppler Effect, Movement, Respiratory sensor belt. --------------------------------------------------------------------***------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. INTRODUCTION Respiratory Rate (RR) is a very important physiological parameter to be monitored in people both in healthy and critical condition, as it gives meaningful information regarding their respiratory system performance as well as condition. The RR is defined as the number of breaths per minute. A typical RR at resting is 12 and its corresponding frequency is 0.2 Hz. During recovery from surgical anesthesia, a μ-opioid agonists used for pain control can slow down RR leading to bradypnea (RR<12) or even apnea(cessation of respiration for an indeterminate period)[13], while airway obstructions like asthma, emphysema and COPD will increase RR causing tachypnea(RR > 30)[14]. Hence, RR measurement becomes clinically very important. Changes in the severity of chronic illnesses such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Arthritis, Asthma, Cancer, Diabetes and HIV/AIDS can be detected using Respiratory Rate Monitor. Development of a respiration rate meter, a low-cost design approach uses a displacement transducer with infrared (IR)- transmitter and IR-receiver for sensing the Respiration Rate[1]. Respiration Rate Monitor based on Impedance Pneumography measures changes in the electrical impedance of the person’s thorax caused by respiration or breathing[2]. Respiratory Monitoring System Based on the Thoracic Expansion Measurement uses respiratory sensor belt that made up of plastic tube container, Axis, spring, Bumper edge, reflective objective sensor[3]. Temperature sensor based Breath Rate Monitor [4] is a real-time system that computes the respiratory rate of the patient. The system will activate an alarm on crossing the lower or upper respiratory rate limit and simultaneously it will send a SMS to the concerned doctor’s cell phone. This system uses a temperature sensor to keep track of the temperature of the respired air[4]. Facial Tracking Method for Noncontact Respiration Rate Monitor involves tracking a facial region of interest (ROI) associated with respiration in thermal images [5]. A new Scheme of Respiration Rate Monitor uses a MEMS based capacitive nasal sensor system for measuring Respiration Rate (RR). Ultrasonic breathing monitor uses ultrasonic source and transducer for the measurement of frequency shift between the exhaled air flow and the ambient environment[10].