Ballistocardiographic sensor system with a sensor arrangement and method of ballistocardiographic detection of body movements

1. A sensor arrangement, comprising:

at least one ballistocardiographic sensor configured to detect body movements of a subject;

a structure configured to support a body of the subject;

at least one noise sensor configured to detect vibration; and

a mechanical mounting affixed to the structure, the mounting being configured to:

vibrationally isolate the noise sensor from the body,

protrude the noise sensor from the structure to a working position, and

retract the noise sensor to a stowed position.

2. The sensor arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the ballistocardiographic sensor is arranged at the structure.

3. The sensor arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the noise sensor is a seismic sensor which is arranged in close proximity to the ballistocardiographic sensor and/or to the structure.

4. The sensor arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the noise sensor and the ballistocardiographic sensor are arranged such that vibrations which do not result from the body movements of the subject are detected by both the noise sensor and the ballistocardiographic sensor.

5. A ballistocardiographic sensor system comprising:

the sensor arrangement according to claim 1 ; and

a data processor configured to process signals from the noise sensor and the ballistocardiographic sensor.

6. The sensor arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said sensor arrangement is configured for monitoring one or more of heart rate, respiration rate and activity of a subject.

7. The sensor arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said sensor arrangement is configured for surveillance of a person in a care environment.

8. The sensor arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said sensor arrangement is configured for monitoring arrhythmia.

9. The sensor arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said sensor arrangement is configured for assessing sleep quality.

10. The sensor arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said sensor arrangement is configured for surveillance of congestive heart failure patients.

11. A sensor arrangement comprising:

at least one ballistocardiographic sensor for detecting body movements of a subject;

a structure supporting a body of the subject, the structure including an undercarriage and a fixing brake;

a mechanical mounting affixed to the structure; and

at least one noise sensor movably attached to the structure via the mechanical mounting for detecting vibration;

wherein the noise sensor is vibrationally isolated from the body, and wherein the mechanical mounting is operationally connected to the brake such that the noise sensor is protruded from the structure upon the fixing brake being applied.

12. A method of ballistocardiographic detection of body movements of a subject, comprising:

detecting a ballistocardiographic signal from the body of the subject with a ballistocardiographic sensor,

with a mounting, mechanically protruding a noise sensor from a structure that supports the body of the subject to a working position and retracting the noise sensor to a deployed position, and

detecting a noise signal by the noise sensor,

wherein the noise sensor is vibrationally isolated from the body of the subject.

13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the noise signal is used for dejamming the ballistocardiographic signal and/or for an evaluation of the ballistocardiographic signal.

14. The method according to claim 12 , further comprising:

noise cancellation filtering the ballistocardiographic signal.

15. The method according to claim 12 , further comprising:

protruding the noise sensor to the working position in response to applying a brake to fix a position of an undercarriage of the support.

16. The method according to claim 12 , further including:

subtracting a spectrum of the noise signal from a spectrum of the ballistocardiographic signal; and

restoring a dejammed signal.