Increasing the sensor channels: a solution for the pressing offsets that cause the physiological parameter inaccuracy in radial artery pulse signal acquisition

Introduction: In studies of pulse wave analysis, single-channel sensors only adopt single temporal pulse signals without spatial information to show pulse-feeling patterns. Multi-channel arterial pulse signals, also named as three-dimensional pulse images (3DPIs), provide the spatial and temporal characteristics of radial pulse signals. When involving single or few-channel sensors, pressing offsets have substantial impacts on obtaining inaccurate physiological parameters like tidal peak (P). Methods: This study discovers the pressing offsets in multi-channel pulse signals and analyzes the relationship between the pressing offsets and time of P2 (T) by qualifying the pressing offsets. First, we employ a data acquisition system to capture 3DPIs. Subsequently, the errorT is developed to qualify the pressing offsets. Results: The outcomes display a central low and peripheral high pattern. Additionally, the errorT increase as the distances from the artery increase, particularly at the radial ends of the blood flow direction. For every 1 mm increase in distances between sensing elements and center sensing elements, the errorT in the radial direction escalates by 4.87%. When the distance is greater than 3.42 mm, the errorT experiences a sudden increase. Discussion: The results show that increasing the sensor channels can overcome the pressing offsets in radial pulse signal acquisition.