Optimal Head-mounted IMU Placement for Heart Rate Detection Using Ballistography.

Continuous and accurate heart rate monitoring is pivotal for the early detection of cardiovascular conditions. Traditional heart rate sensing methods, such as the use of adhesive electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes, often fall short in terms of comfort and convenience for everyday wear and continuous monitoring. Ballistocardiography (BCG), a non-invasive alternative, offers a promising solution by measuring the body's mechanical reactions to the ejected blood by the heart during cardiac cycles. This paper introduces a novel heart detection method utilizing IMU-based BCG applied to the head, focusing on optimizing sensor placement on the head for improved accuracy. Noteworthy is that the detection algorithm needs to be robust against noise and movement artifacts; therefore, the choice of sensor location and signal processing techniques become key factors. This pilot study explores various IMU mounting locations on the head and signal processing techniques to improve the feasibility and accuracy of head-mounted wearable devices employing BCG.