Peak-to-peak detector for the arterial pulsations in the plethysmogram I: Technical description and simulation

A peak-to-peak detector for plethysmographic signals is described. This new detector measures the peak-to-peak value of the arterial pulsations in the plethysmogram, while the influence of volume variations in the peripheral vascular bed due to changing intrathoracic pressure is eliminated. Incorporated into the detector is a hold mode, which is entered if disturbances are detected. Simulation tests are presented.