All Publications


  • A Comparison of Normalization Techniques for Individual Baseline-Free Estimation of Absolute Hypovolemic Status Using a Porcine Model. Biosensors Lambert, T. P., Chan, M., Sanchez-Perez, J. A., Nikbakht, M., Lin, D. J., Nawar, A., Bashar, S. K., Kimball, J. P., Zia, J. S., Gazi, A. H., Cestero, G. I., Corporan, D., Padala, M., Hahn, J., Inan, O. T. 2024; 14 (2)

    Abstract

    Hypovolemic shock is one of the leading causes of death in the military. The current methods of assessing hypovolemia in field settings rely on a clinician assessment of vital signs, which is an unreliable assessment of hypovolemia severity. These methods often detect hypovolemia when interventional methods are ineffective. Therefore, there is a need to develop real-time sensing methods for the early detection of hypovolemia. Previously, our group developed a random-forest model that successfully estimated absolute blood-volume status (ABVS) from noninvasive wearable sensor data for a porcine model (n = 6). However, this model required normalizing ABVS data using individual baseline data, which may not be present in crisis situations where a wearable sensor might be placed on a patient by the attending clinician. We address this barrier by examining seven individual baseline-free normalization techniques. Using a feature-specific global mean from the ABVS and an external dataset for normalization demonstrated similar performance metrics compared to no normalization (normalization: R2 = 0.82 ± 0.025|0.80 ± 0.032, AUC = 0.86 ± 5.5 * 10-3|0.86 ± 0.013, RMSE = 28.30 ± 0.63%|27.68 ± 0.80%; no normalization: R2 = 0.81 ± 0.045, AUC = 0.86 ± 8.9 * 10-3, RMSE = 28.89 ± 0.84%). This demonstrates that normalization may not be required and develops a foundation for individual baseline-free ABVS prediction.

    View details for DOI 10.3390/bios14020061

    View details for PubMedID 38391980

  • Synthetic seismocardiogram generation using a transformer-based neural network JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL INFORMATICS ASSOCIATION Nikbakht, M., Gazi, A. H., Zia, J., An, S., Lin, D. J., Inan, O. T., Kamaleswaran, R. 2023; 30 (7): 1266-1273

    Abstract

    To design and validate a novel deep generative model for seismocardiogram (SCG) dataset augmentation. SCG is a noninvasively acquired cardiomechanical signal used in a wide range of cardivascular monitoring tasks; however, these approaches are limited due to the scarcity of SCG data.A deep generative model based on transformer neural networks is proposed to enable SCG dataset augmentation with control over features such as aortic opening (AO), aortic closing (AC), and participant-specific morphology. We compared the generated SCG beats to real human beats using various distribution distance metrics, notably Sliced-Wasserstein Distance (SWD). The benefits of dataset augmentation using the proposed model for other machine learning tasks were also explored.Experimental results showed smaller distribution distances for all metrics between the synthetically generated set of SCG and a test set of human SCG, compared to distances from an animal dataset (1.14× SWD), Gaussian noise (2.5× SWD), or other comparison sets of data. The input and output features also showed minimal error (95% limits of agreement for pre-ejection period [PEP] and left ventricular ejection time [LVET] timings are 0.03 ± 3.81 ms and -0.28 ± 6.08 ms, respectively). Experimental results for data augmentation for a PEP estimation task showed 3.3% accuracy improvement on an average for every 10% augmentation (ratio of synthetic data to real data).The model is thus able to generate physiologically diverse, realistic SCG signals with precise control over AO and AC features. This will uniquely enable dataset augmentation for SCG processing and machine learning to overcome data scarcity.

    View details for DOI 10.1093/jamia/ocad067

    View details for Web of Science ID 000970935900001

    View details for PubMedID 37053380

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10280352

  • Classification of Blood Volume Decompensation State via Machine Learning Analysis of Multi-Modal Wearable-Compatible Physiological Signals. Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Chalumuri, Y. R., Kimball, J. P., Mousavi, A., Zia, J. S., Rolfes, C., Parreira, J. D., Inan, O. T., Hahn, J. O. 2022; 22 (4)

    Abstract

    This paper presents a novel computational algorithm to estimate blood volume decompensation state based on machine learning (ML) analysis of multi-modal wearable-compatible physiological signals. To the best of our knowledge, our algorithm may be the first of its kind which can not only discriminate normovolemia from hypovolemia but also classify hypovolemia into absolute hypovolemia and relative hypovolemia. We realized our blood volume classification algorithm by (i) extracting a multitude of features from multi-modal physiological signals including the electrocardiogram (ECG), the seismocardiogram (SCG), the ballistocardiogram (BCG), and the photoplethysmogram (PPG), (ii) constructing two ML classifiers using the features, one to classify normovolemia vs. hypovolemia and the other to classify hypovolemia into absolute hypovolemia and relative hypovolemia, and (iii) sequentially integrating the two to enable multi-class classification (normovolemia, absolute hypovolemia, and relative hypovolemia). We developed the blood volume decompensation state classification algorithm using the experimental data collected from six animals undergoing normovolemia, relative hypovolemia, and absolute hypovolemia challenges. Leave-one-subject-out analysis showed that our classification algorithm achieved an F1 score and accuracy of (i) 0.93 and 0.89 in classifying normovolemia vs. hypovolemia, (ii) 0.88 and 0.89 in classifying hypovolemia into absolute hypovolemia and relative hypovolemia, and (iii) 0.77 and 0.81 in classifying the overall blood volume decompensation state. The analysis of the features embedded in the ML classifiers indicated that many features are physiologically plausible, and that multi-modal SCG-BCG fusion may play an important role in achieving good blood volume classification efficacy. Our work may complement existing computational algorithms to estimate blood volume compensatory reserve as a potential decision-support tool to provide guidance on context-sensitive hypovolemia therapeutic strategy.

    View details for DOI 10.3390/s22041336

    View details for PubMedID 35214238

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8963055

  • Unifying the Estimation of Blood Volume Decompensation Status in a Porcine Mode of Relative and Absolute Hypovolemia Via Wearable Sensing IEEE JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH INFORMATICS Kimball, J. P., Zia, J. S., An, S., Rolfes, C., Hahn, J., Sawka, M. N., Inan, O. T. 2021; 25 (9): 3351-3360

    Abstract

    Hypovolemia remains the leading cause of preventable death in trauma cases. Recent research has demonstrated that using noninvasive continuous waveforms rather than traditional vital signs improves accuracy in early detection of hypovolemia to assist in triage and resuscitation. This work evaluates random forest models trained on different subsets of data from a pig model (n = 6) of absolute (bleeding) and relative (nitroglycerin-induced vasodilation) progressive hypovolemia (to 20% decrease in mean arterial pressure) and resuscitation. Features for the models were derived from a multi-modal set of wearable sensors, comprised of the electrocardiogram (ECG), seismocardiogram (SCG) and reflective photoplethysmogram (RPPG) and were normalized to each subject.s baseline. The median RMSE between predicted and actual percent progression towards cardiovascular decompensation for the best model was 30.5% during the relative period, 16.8% during absolute and 22.1% during resuscitation. The least squares best fit line over the mean aggregated predictions had a slope of 0.65 and intercept of 12.3, with an R2 value of 0.93. When transitioned to a binary classification problem to identify decompensation, this model achieved an AUROC of 0.80. This study: a) developed a global model incorporating ECG, SCG and RPPG features for estimating individual-specific decompensation from progressive relative and absolute hypovolemia and resuscitation; b) demonstrated SCG as the most important modality to predict decompensation; c) demonstrated efficacy of random forest models trained on different data subsets; and d) demonstrated adding training data from two discrete forms of hypovolemia increases prediction accuracy for the other form of hypovolemia and resuscitation.

    View details for DOI 10.1109/JBHI.2021.3068619

    View details for Web of Science ID 000692596400016

    View details for PubMedID 33760744

  • Machine learning to extract muscle fascicle length changes from dynamic ultrasound images in real-time PLOS ONE Rosa, L. G., Zia, J. S., Inan, O. T., Sawicki, G. S. 2021; 16 (5): e0246611

    Abstract

    Dynamic muscle fascicle length measurements through B-mode ultrasound have become popular for the non-invasive physiological insights they provide regarding musculoskeletal structure-function. However, current practices typically require time consuming post-processing to track muscle length changes from B-mode images. A real-time measurement tool would not only save processing time but would also help pave the way toward closed-loop applications based on feedback signals driven by in vivo muscle length change patterns. In this paper, we benchmark an approach that combines traditional machine learning (ML) models with B-mode ultrasound recordings to obtain muscle fascicle length changes in real-time. To gauge the utility of this framework for 'in-the-loop' applications, we evaluate accuracy of the extracted muscle length change signals against time-series' derived from a standard, post-hoc automated tracking algorithm.We collected B-mode ultrasound data from the soleus muscle of six participants performing five defined ankle motion tasks: (a) seated, constrained ankle plantarflexion, (b) seated, free ankle dorsi/plantarflexion, (c) weight-bearing, calf raises (d) walking, and then a (e) mix. We trained machine learning (ML) models by pairing muscle fascicle lengths obtained from standardized automated tracking software (UltraTrack) with the respective B-mode ultrasound image input to the tracker, frame-by-frame. Then we conducted hyperparameter optimizations for five different ML models using a grid search to find the best performing parameters for a combination of high correlation and low RMSE between ML and UltraTrack processed muscle fascicle length trajectories. Finally, using the global best model/hyperparameter settings, we comprehensively evaluated training-testing outcomes within subject (i.e., train and test on same subject), cross subject (i.e., train on one subject, test on another) and within/direct cross task (i.e., train and test on same subject, but different task).Support vector machine (SVM) was the best performing model with an average r = 0.70 ±0.34 and average RMSE = 2.86 ±2.55 mm across all direct training conditions and average r = 0.65 ±0.35 and average RMSE = 3.28 ±2.64 mm when optimized for all cross-participant conditions. Comparisons between ML vs. UltraTrack (i.e., ground truth) tracked muscle fascicle length versus time data indicated that ML tracked images reliably capture the salient qualitative features in ground truth length change data, even when correlation values are on the lower end. Furthermore, in the direct training, calf raises condition, which is most comparable to previous studies validating automated tracking performance during isolated contractions on a dynamometer, our ML approach yielded 0.90 average correlation, in line with other accepted tracking methods in the field.By combining B-mode ultrasound and classical ML models, we demonstrate it is possible to achieve real-time tracking of human soleus muscle fascicles across a number of functionally relevant contractile conditions. This novel sensing modality paves the way for muscle physiology in-the-loop applications that could be used to modify gait via biofeedback or unlock novel wearable device control techniques that could enable restored or augmented locomotion performance.

    View details for DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0246611

    View details for Web of Science ID 000664633500004

    View details for PubMedID 34038426

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8153491

  • Knee Acoustic Emissions as a Digital Biomarker of Disease Status in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis FRONTIERS IN DIGITAL HEALTH Whittingslow, D. C., Zia, J., Gharehbaghi, S., Gergely, T., Ponder, L. A., Prahalad, S., Inan, O. T. 2020; 2: 571839

    Abstract

    In this paper, we quantify the joint acoustic emissions (JAEs) from the knees of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and support their use as a novel biomarker of the disease. JIA is the most common rheumatic disease of childhood; it has a highly variable presentation, and few reliable biomarkers which makes diagnosis and personalization of care difficult. The knee is the most commonly affected joint with hallmark synovitis and inflammation that can extend to damage the underlying cartilage and bone. During movement of the knee, internal friction creates JAEs that can be non-invasively measured. We hypothesize that these JAEs contain clinically relevant information that could be used for the diagnosis and personalization of treatment of JIA. In this study, we record and compare the JAEs from 25 patients with JIA-10 of whom were recorded a second time 3-6 months later-and 18 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. We compute signal features from each of those record cycles of flexion/extension and train a logistic regression classification model. The model classified each cycle as having JIA or being healthy with 84.4% accuracy using leave-one-subject-out cross validation (LOSO-CV). When assessing the full JAE recording of a subject (which contained at least 8 cycles of flexion/extension), a majority vote of the cycle labels accurately classified the subjects as having JIA or being healthy 100% of the time. Using the output probabilities of a JIA class as a basis for a joint health score and test it on the follow-up patient recordings. In all 10 of our 6-week follow-up recordings, the score accurately tracked with successful treatment of the condition. Our proposed JAE-based classification model of JIA presents a compelling case for incorporating this novel joint health assessment technique into the clinical work-up and monitoring of JIA.

    View details for DOI 10.3389/fdgth.2020.571839

    View details for Web of Science ID 001046030700001

    View details for PubMedID 34713044

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8521909

  • Enabling the assessment of trauma-induced hemorrhage via smart wearable systems SCIENCE ADVANCES Zia, J., Kimball, J., Rolfes, C., Hahn, J., Inan, O. T. 2020; 6 (30): eabb1708

    Abstract

    As the leading cause of trauma-related mortality, blood loss due to hemorrhage is notoriously difficult to triage and manage. To enable timely and appropriate care for patients with trauma, this work elucidates the externally measurable physiological features of exsanguination, which were used to develop a globalized model for assessing blood volume status (BVS) or the relative severity of blood loss. These features were captured via both a multimodal wearable system and a catheter-based reference and used to accurately infer BVS in a porcine model of hemorrhage (n = 6). Ultimately, high-level features of cardiomechanical function were shown to strongly predict progression toward cardiovascular collapse and used to estimate BVS with a median error of 15.17 and 18.17% for the catheter-based and wearable systems, respectively. Exploring the nexus of biomedical theory and practice, these findings lay the groundwork for digital biomarkers of hemorrhage severity and warrant further study in human subjects.

    View details for DOI 10.1126/sciadv.abb1708

    View details for Web of Science ID 000552228100033

    View details for PubMedID 32766449

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC7375804

  • Utilizing Neural Networks to Predict Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's Patients Zia, J., Tadayon, A., McDaniel, T., Panchanathan, S., ACM ASSOC COMPUTING MACHINERY. 2016: 333-334