Method and system for monitoring breathing activity of a subject

• US 7,403,638 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2006
• Issued: 07/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Jeung, Andrew, Mostafavi, Hassan, Zdasiuk, George, Sutherland, Robert M., Riaziat, Majid L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johns; Andrew W
• Application Number:
  US11/580,696
• Publication Number:
  US 20070076935A1
• Time in Patent Office: 647 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/103, 382/107, 382/128, 382/154, 382/287, 382/291, 600/476, 600/529, 600/534, 600/535, 600/536, 128/922, 348/77, 348/94, 348/95
• US Class Current: 382/103
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/371 with simultaneous use of two cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1127 using markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7275 Determining trends in physiological measurement data; Predicting development of a medical condition based on physiological measurements, e.g. determining a risk factor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7289 Retrospective gating, i.e. associating measured signals or images with a physiological event after the actual measurement or image acquisition, e.g. by simultaneously recording an additional physiological signal during the measurement or image acquisition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/541 involving acquisition triggered by a physiological signal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1059 using cameras imaging the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1048 Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1049 for verifying the position of the patient with respect to the radiation beam
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1064 for adjusting radiation treatment in response to monitoring

Abstract

A method and system for monitoring breathing movement of a subject is disclosed. A method and system for detecting and predictably estimating regular cycles of breathing movements is disclosed. Another disclosed aspect of the invention is directed to detect and report irregularity of breathing activity of an infant, such as cessation and non-periodicity, which suggests a likelihood of SIDS.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring a subject, comprising:

using an optical device to obtain an image of the subject;

analyzing the image to determine a number of marker(s);

comparing the number of marker(s) with a prescribed value; and

generating a signal when the number of marker(s) is less than the prescribed value, wherein the signal is generated when the number of marker(s) is less than the prescribed value, and when a lost marker cannot be reacquired in two or more consecutive image frames.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating comprises generating an alarm signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating comprises generating an audible signal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating comprises generating a visible signal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the number of marker(s) is at least four.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the prescribed value is equal to three.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

analyzing an additional image to determine a number of marker(s) in the additional image; and

comparing the number of marker(s) in the additional image with the prescribed value;

wherein the signal is also generated based upon a result of the comparing the number of marker(s) in the additional image with the prescribed value.

8. A system for monitoring a subject, comprising:

an optical device for obtaining an image of the subject;

a processor configured for;

analyzing the image to determine a number of marker(s),

comparing the number of marker(s) with a prescribed value, and

generating a signal when the number of marker(s) is less than the prescribed value; and

a block, wherein the marker(s) are coupled to the block.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the number of marker(s) is at least four.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the prescribed value is equal to three.

11. A system for monitoring a subject, comprising:

an optical device for obtaining an image of the subject;

a processor configured for;

analyzing the image to determine a number of marker(s),

comparing the number of marker(s) with a prescribed value, and

generating a signal when the number of marker(s) is less than the prescribed value;

wherein the processor is configured to generate the signal when the number of marker(s) is less than the prescribed value, and when a lost marker cannot be reacquired in two or more consecutive image frames.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the signal comprises an alarm signal.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the signal comprises an audible signal.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the signal comprises a visible signal.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured for:

analyzing an additional image to determine a number of marker(s) in the additional image, comparing the number of marker(s) in the additional image with the prescribed value, and generating the signal based upon a result of the comparing the number of marker(s) in the additional image with the prescribed value.

16. A computer program product that includes a medium usable by a processor, the medium having a set of instructions, an execution of which by a processor will cause a process to be performed, the process comprising:

using an optical device to obtain an image of a subject;

analyzing the image to determine a number of marker(s);

comparing the number of marker(s) with a prescribed value; and

generating a signal when the number of marker(s) is less than the prescribed value, wherein the marker(s) are coupled to a block.

17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the number of marker(s) is at least four.

18. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the prescribed value is equal to three.

19. A computer program product that includes a medium usable by a processor, the medium having a set of instructions, an execution of which by a processor will cause a process to be performed, the process comprising:

using an optical device to obtain an image of a subject;

analyzing the image to determine a number of marker(s);

comparing the number of marker(s) with a prescribed value; and

generating a signal when the number of marker(s) is less than the prescribed value, wherein the signal is generated when the number of marker(s) is less than the prescribed value, and when a lost marker cannot be reacquired in two or more consecutive image frames.

20. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the process further comprises:

analyzing an additional image to determine a number of marker(s) in the additional image; and

comparing the number of marker(s) in the additional image with the prescribed value;

wherein the signal is also generated based upon a result of the comparing the number of marker(s) in the additional image with the prescribed value.

21. A method for monitoring subject(s), comprising:

acquiring image data; and

generating a signal when one or more markers cannot be detected from the image data, wherein the image data comprises an image of a block, the block having a plurality of markers.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the one or more markers are associated with a subject.

23. A method for monitoring subject(s), comprising:

acquiring image data; and

generating a signal when one or more markers cannot be detected from the image data, wherein the signal is generated when the one or more markers cannot be reacquired in two or more consecutive image frames, wherein the image data corresponds to one of the image frames.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the one or more markers comprises a plurality of markers, a first subset of the plurality of markers being associated with a first subject, and a second subject of the plurality of markers being associated with a second subject.

25. A computer program product that includes a medium usable by a processor, the medium having a set of instructions, an execution of which by a processor will cause a process to be performed, the process comprising:

acquiring image data; and

generating a signal when one or more markers cannot be detected from the image data, wherein the image data comprises an image of a block, the block having a plurality of markers.

26. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein the one or more markers are associated with a subject.

27. A computer program product that includes a medium usable by a processor, the medium having a set of instructions, an execution of which by a processor will cause a process to be performed, the process comprising:

acquiring image data; and

generating a signal when one or more markers cannot be detected from the image data, wherein the signal is generated when the one or more markers cannot be reacquired in two or more consecutive image frames, wherein the image data corresponds to one of the image frames.

28. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein the one or more markers comprises a plurality of markers, a first subset of the plurality of markers being associated with a first subject, and a second subject of the plurality of markers being associated with a second subject.

29. A system for monitoring subject(s), comprising:

an optical device for obtaining an image of the subject;

a processor configured for acquiring image data, and generating a signal when one or more markers cannot be detected from the image data; and

a block having a plurality of markers, wherein the image data comprises an image of the block.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the one or more markers are associated with a subject.

31. A system for monitoring subject(s), comprising:

an optical device for obtaining an image of the subject; and

a processor configured for acquiring image data, and generating a signal when one or more markers cannot be detected from the image data,

wherein the processor is configured to generate the signal when the one or more markers cannot be reacquired in two or more consecutive image frames, wherein the image data corresponds to one of the image frames.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the one or more markers comprises a plurality of markers, a first subset of the plurality of markers being associated with a first subject, and a second subject of the plurality of markers being associated with a second subject.

33. A method of monitoring a subject, comprising:

using an optical device to obtain an image of the subject;

analyzing the image to determine a number of marker(s);

comparing the number of marker(s) with a prescribed value; and

generating a signal when the number of marker(s) is less than the prescribed value, wherein the marker(s) are coupled to a block.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the number of marker(s) is at least four.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the prescribed value is equal to three.