1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of signal processing. More specifically, the present invention relates to the processing of measured signals, containing a primary signal portion and a secondary signal portion, for the removal or derivation of either the primary or secondary signal portion when little is known about either of these components. More particularly, the present invention relates to modeling the measured signals in a novel way which facilitates minimizing the correlation between the primary signal portion and the secondary signal portion in order to produce a primary and/or secondary signal. The present invention is especially useful for physiological monitoring systems including blood oxygen saturation systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Signal processors are typically employed to remove or derive either the primary or secondary signal portion from a composite measured signal including a primary signal portion and a secondary signal portion. For example, a composite signal may contain noise and desirable portions. If the secondary signal portion occupies a different frequency spectrum than the primary signal portion, then conventional filtering techniques such as low pass, band pass, and high pass filtering are available to remove or derive either the primary or the secondary signal portion from the total signal. Fixed single or multiple notch filters could also be employed if the primary and/or secondary signal portion(s) exist at a fixed frequency(s).
It is often the case that an overlap in frequency spectrum between the primary and secondary signal portions exists. Complicating matters further, the statistical properties of one or both of the primary and secondary signal portions change with time. In such cases, conventional filtering techniques are ineffective in extracting either the primary or secondary signal. If, however, a description of either the primary or secondary signal portion can be derived, correlation canceling, such as adaptive noise canceling, can be employed to remove either the primary or secondary signal portion of the signal isolating the other portion. In other words, given sufficient information about one of the signal portions, that signal portion can be extracted.
Conventional correlation cancelers, such as adaptive noise cancelers, dynamically change their transfer function to adapt to and remove portions of a composite signal. However, correlation cancelers require either a secondary reference or a primary reference which correlates to either the secondary signal portion only or the primary signal portion only. For instance, for a measured signal containing noise and desirable signal, the noise can be removed with a correlation canceler if a noise reference is available. This is often the case. Although the amplitude of the reference signals are not necessarily the same as the amplitude of the corresponding primary or secondary signal portions, they have a frequency spectrum which is similar to that of the primary or secondary signal portions.
In many cases, nothing or very little is known about the secondary and/or primary signal portions. One area where measured signals comprising a primary signal portion and a secondary signal portion about which no information can easily be determined is physiological monitoring. Physiological monitoring generally involves measured signals derived from a physiological system, such as the human body. Measurements which are typically taken with physiological monitoring systems include electrocardiographs, blood pressure, blood gas saturation (such as oxygen saturation), capnographs, other blood constituent monitoring, heart rate, respiration rate, electro-encephalograph (EEG) and depth of anesthesia, for example. Other types of measurements include those which measure the pressure and quantity of a substance within the body such as cardiac output, venous oxygen saturation, arterial oxygen saturation, bilirubin, total hemoglobin, breathalyzer testing, drug testing, cholesterol testing, glucose testing, extra vasation, and carbon dioxide testing, protein testing, carbon monoxide testing, and other in-vivo measurements, for example. Complications arising in these measurements are often due to motion of the patient, both external and internal (muscle movement, vessel movement, and probe movement, for example), during the measurement process.
Many types of physiological measurements can be made by using the known properties of energy attenuation as a selected form of energy passes through a medium.
A blood gas monitor is one example of a physiological monitoring system which is based upon the measurement of energy attenuated by biological tissues or substances. Blood gas monitors transmit light into the test medium and measure the attenuation of the light as a function of time. The output signal of a blood gas monitor which is sensitive to the arterial blood flow contains a component which is a waveform representative of the patient's arterial pulse. This type of signal, which contains a component related to the patient's pulse, is called a plethysmographic wave, and is shown in
Typically, a digit such as a finger, an ear lobe, or other portion of the body where blood flows close to the skin, is employed as the medium through which light energy is transmitted for blood gas attenuation measurements. The finger comprises skin, fat, bone, muscle, etc., shown schematically in
An example of a more realistic measured waveform S is shown in
A pulse oximeter is a type of blood gas monitor which non-invasively measures the arterial saturation of oxygen in the blood. The pumping of the heart forces freshly oxygenated blood into the arteries causing greater energy attenuation. As well understood in the art, the arterial saturation of oxygenated blood may be determined from the depth of the valleys relative to the peaks of two plethysmographic waveforms measured at separate wavelengths. Patient movement introduces motion artifacts to the composite signal as illustrated in the plethysmographic waveform illustrated in
This invention provides improvements upon the methods and apparatus disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/132,812, filed Oct. 6, 1993, entitled Signal Processing Apparatus, which earlier application has been assigned to the assignee of the instant application. The present invention involves several different embodiments using the novel signal model in accordance with the present invention to isolate either a primary signal portion or a secondary signal portion of a composite measured signal. In one embodiment, a signal processor acquires a first measured signal and a second measured signal that is correlated to the first measured signal. The first signal comprises a first primary signal portion and a first secondary signal portion. The second signal comprises a second primary signal portion and a second secondary signal portion. The signals may be acquired by propagating energy through a medium and measuring an attenuated signal after transmission or reflection. Alternatively, the signals may be acquired by measuring energy generated by the medium.
In one embodiment, the first and second measured signals are processed to generate a secondary reference which does not contain the primary signal portions from either of the first or second measured signals. This secondary reference is correlated to the secondary signal portion of each of the first and second measured signals. The secondary reference is used to remove the secondary portion of each of the first and second measured signals via a correlation canceler, such as an adaptive noise canceler. The correlation canceler is a device which takes a first and second input and removes from the first input all signal components which are correlated to the second input. Any unit which performs or nearly performs this function is herein considered to be a correlation canceler.
An adaptive correlation canceler can be described by analogy to a dynamic multiple notch filter which dynamically changes its transfer function in response to a reference signal and the measured signals to remove frequencies from the measured signals that are also present in the reference signal. Thus, a typical adaptive correlation canceler receives the signal from which it is desired to remove a component and receives a reference signal of the undesired portion. The output of the correlation canceler is a good approximation to the desired signal with the undesired component removed.
Alternatively, the first and second measured signals may be processed to generate a primary reference which does not contain the secondary signal portions from either of the first or second measured signals. The primary reference may then be used to remove the primary portion of each of the first and second measured signals via a correlation canceler. The output of the correlation canceler is a good approximation to the secondary signal with the primary signal removed and may be used for subsequent processing in the same instrument or an auxiliary instrument. In this capacity, the approximation to the secondary signal may be used as a reference signal for input to a second correlation canceler together with either the first or second measured signals for computation of, respectively, either the first or second primary signal portions.
Physiological monitors can benefit from signal processors of the present invention. Often in physiological measurements a first signal comprising a first primary portion and a first secondary portion and a second signal comprising a second primary portion and a second secondary portion are acquired. The signals may be acquired by propagating energy through a patient's body (or a material which is derived from the body, such as breath, blood, or tissue, for example) or inside a vessel and measuring an attenuated signal after transmission or reflection. Alternatively, the signal may be acquired by measuring energy generated by a patient's body, such as in electrocardiography. The signals are processed via the signal processor of the present invention to acquire either a secondary reference or a primary reference which is input to a correlation canceler, such as an adaptive noise canceler.
One physiological monitoring apparatus which benefits from the present invention is a monitoring system which determines a signal which is representative of the arterial pulse, called a plethysmographic wave. This signal can be used in blood pressure calculations, blood constituent measurements, etc. A specific example of such a use is in pulse oximetry. Pulse oximetry involves determining the saturation of oxygen in the blood. In this configuration, the primary portion of the signal is the arterial blood contribution to attenuation of energy as it passes through a portion of the body where blood flows close to the skin. The pumping of the heart causes blood flow to increase and decrease in the arteries in a periodic fashion, causing periodic attenuation wherein the periodic waveform is the plethysmographic waveform representative of the arterial pulse. The secondary portion is noise. In accordance with the present invention, the measured signals are modeled such that this secondary portion of the signal is related to the venous blood contribution to attenuation of energy as it passes through the body. The secondary portion also includes artifacts due to patient movement which causes the venous blood to flow in an unpredictable manner, causing unpredictable attenuation and corrupting the otherwise periodic plethysmographic waveform. Respiration also causes the secondary or noise portion to vary, although typically at a lower frequency than the patients pulse rate. Accordingly, the measured signal which forms a plethysmographic waveform is modeled in accordance with the present invention such that the primary portion of the signal is representative of arterial blood contribution to attenuation and the secondary portion is due to several other parameters.
A physiological monitor particularly adapted to pulse oximetry oxygen saturation measurement comprises two light emitting diodes (LED's) which emit light at different wavelengths to produce first and second signals. A detector registers the attenuation of the two different energy signals after each passes through an absorptive media, for example a digit such as a finger, or an earlobe. The attenuated signals generally comprise both primary (arterial attenuator) and secondary (noise) signal portions. A static filtering system, such as a bandpass filter, removes a portion of the secondary signal which is outside of a known bandwidth of interest, leaving an erratic or random secondary signal portion, often caused by motion and often difficult to remove, along with the primary signal portion.
A processor in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention removes the primary signal portions from the measured signals yielding a secondary reference which is a combination of the remaining secondary signal portions. The secondary reference is correlated to both of the secondary signal portions. The secondary reference and at least one of the measured signals are input to a correlation canceler, such as an adaptive noise canceler, which removes the random or erratic portion of the secondary signal. This yields a good approximation to a primary plethysmographic signal as measured at one of the measured signal wavelengths. As is known in the art, quantitative measurements of the amount of oxygenated arterial blood in the body can be determined from the plethysmographic signal in a variety of ways.
The processor of the present invention may also remove the secondary signal portions from the measured signals yielding a primary reference which is a combination of the remaining primary signal portions. The primary reference is correlated to both of the primary signal portions. The primary reference and at least one of the measured signals are input to a correlation canceler which removes the primary portions of the measured signals. This yields a good approximation to the secondary signal at one of the measured signal wavelengths. This signal may be useful for removing secondary signals from an auxiliary instrument as well as determining venous blood oxygen saturation.
In accordance with the signal model of the present invention, the two measured signals each having primary and secondary signal portions can be related by coefficients. By relating the two equations with respect to coefficients defined in accordance with the present invention, the coefficients provide information about the arterial oxygen saturation and about the noise (the venous oxygen saturation and other parameters). In accordance with this aspect of the present invention, the coefficients can be determined by minimizing the correlation between the primary and secondary signal portions as defined in the model. Accordingly, the signal model of the present invention can be utilized in many ways in order to obtain information about the measured signals as will be further apparent in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments.
One aspect of the present invention is a method for use in a signal processor in a signal processor for processing at least two measured signals S1 and S2 each containing a primary signal portion s and a secondary signal portion n, the signals S1 and S2 being in accordance with the following relationship:
S1=s1+n1
S2=s2+n2
where s1 and s2, and n1 and n2 are related by:
s1=ras2 and n1=rvn2
and where ra and rv are coefficients.
The method comprises a number of steps. A value of coefficient ra is determined which minimize correlation between s1 and n1. Then, at least one of the first and second signals is processed using the determined value for ra to significantly reduce n from at least one of the first or second measured signal to form a clean signal.
In one embodiment, the clean signal is displayed on a display. In another embodiment, wherein the first and second signals are physiological signals, the method further comprises the step of processing the clean signal to determine a physiological parameter from the first or second measured signals. In one embodiment, the parameter is arterial oxygen saturation. In another embodiment, the parameter is an ECG signal. In yet another embodiment, wherein the first portion of the measured signals is indicative of a heart plethysmograph, the method further comprises the step of calculating the pulse rate.
Another aspect of the present invention involves a physiological monitor. The monitor has a first input configured to receive a first measured signal S1 having a primary portion, s1, and a secondary portion n1. The monitor also has a second input configured to received a second measured signal S2 having a primary portion s2 and a secondary portion n2. Advantageously, the first and the second measured signals S1 and S2 are in accordance with the following relationship:
S1=s1+n1
S2=s2+n2
where s1 and s2, and n1 and n2 are related by:
s1=ras2 and n1=rvn2
and where ra and rv are coefficients.
The monitor further has a scan reference processor, the scan reference processor responds to a plurality of possible values for ra to multiply the second measured signal by each of the possible values for ra and for each of the resulting values, to subtract the resulting values from the first measured signal to provide a plurality of output signals. A correlation canceler having a first input configured to receive the first measured signal, and having a second input configured to receive the plurality of output signals from the saturation scan reference processor, provides a plurality of output vectors corresponding to the correlation cancellation between the plurality of output signals and the first measured signal. An integrator having an input configured to receive the plurality of output vectors from the correlation canceler is responsive to the plurality of output vectors to determine a corresponding power for each output vector. An extremum detector is coupled at its input to the output of the integrator. The extremum detector is responsive to the corresponding power for each output vector to detect a selected power.
In one embodiment, the plurality of possible values correspond to a plurality of possible values for a selected blood constituent. In one embodiment the, the selected blood constituent is arterial blood oxygen saturation. In another embodiment, the selected blood constituent is venous blood oxygen saturation. In yet another embodiment, the selected blood constituent is carbon monoxide.
Another aspect of the present invention involves a physiological monitor. The monitor has a first input configured to receive a first measured signal S1 having a primary portion, s1, and a secondary portion, n1. The monitor also has a second input configured to received a second measured signal S2 having a primary portion s2 and a secondary portion n2. The first and the second measured signals S1 and S2 are in accordance with the following relationship:
S1=s1+n1
S2=s2+n2
where s1 and s2, and n1 and n2 are related by:
s1=ras2 and n1=rvn2
and where ra and rv are coefficients.
A transform module is responsive to the first and the second measured signals and responsive to a plurality of possible values for ra to provide at least one power curve as an output. An extremum calculation module is response to the at least one power curve to select a value for ra which minimizes the correlation between s and n, and to calculate from the value for ra a corresponding saturation value as an output. A display module is responsive to the output of saturation calculation to display the saturation value.
a illustrates a schematic diagram of a physiological monitor to compute primary physiological signals.
b illustrates a schematic diagram of a physiological monitor to compute secondary signals.
a illustrates an example of an adaptive noise canceler which could be employed in a physiological monitor, to computer primary physiological signals.
b illustrates an example of an adaptive noise canceler which could be employed in a physiological monitor, to compute secondary motion artifact signals.
c illustrates the transfer function of a multiple notch filter.
a illustrates a schematic of absorbing material comprising N constituents within the absorbing material.
b illustrates another schematic of absorbing material comprising N constituents, including one mixed layer, within the absorbing material.
c illustrates another schematic of absorbing material comprising N constituents, including two mixed layers, within the absorbing material.
a illustrates a schematic diagram of a monitor, to compute primary and secondary signals in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
b illustrates the ideal correlation canceler energy or power output as a function of the signal coefficients r1, r2, . . . rn. In this particular example, r3=ra and r7=rv.
c illustrates the non-ideal correlation canceler energy or power output as a function of the signal coefficients r1, r2, . . . rn. In this particular example, r3=ra and r7=rv.
a is a schematic model of a joint process estimator comprising a QRD least-squares lattice (LSL) predictor and a regression filter.
a is a flowchart representing a subroutine for implementing in software a joint process estimator as modeled in
a is a schematic model of a joint process estimator with a QRD least-squares lattice predictor and two regression filters.
a illustrates an example of a low noise emitter current driver with accompanying digital to analog converter.
a illustrates an alternative block diagram for the operations of the motion artifact suppression module of
The present invention involves a system which utilizes first and second measured signals that each contain a primary signal portion and a secondary signal portion. In other words, given a first and second composite signals S1(t)=s1(t)+n1(t) and S2(t)=s2(t)+n2(t), the system of the present invention can be used to isolate either the primary signal portion s(t) or the secondary signal portion n(t). Following processing, the output of the system provides a good approximation n″(t) to the secondary signal portion n(t) or a good approximation s″(t) to the primary signal portion s(t).
The system of the present invention is particularly useful where the primary and/or secondary signal portion n(t) may contain one or more of a constant portion, a predictable portion, an erratic portion, a random portion, etc. The primary signal approximation s″(t) or secondary signal approximation n″(t) is derived by removing as many of the secondary signal portions n(t) or primary signal portions s(t) from the composite signal S(t) as possible. The remaining signal forms either the primary signal approximation s″(t) or secondary signal approximation n″(t), respectively. The constant portion and predictable portion of the secondary signal n(t) are easily removed with traditional filtering techniques, such as simple subtraction, low pass, band pass, and high pass filtering. The erratic portion is more difficult to remove due to its unpredictable nature. If something is known about the erratic signal, even statistically, it could be removed, at least partially, from the measured signal via traditional filtering techniques. However, often no information is known about the erratic portion of the secondary signal n(t). In this case, traditional filtering techniques are usually insufficient.
In order to remove the secondary signal n(t), a signal model in accordance with the present invention is defined as follows for the first and second measured signals S1 and S2:
S1=s1+n1
S2=s2+n2
with s1=ras2 and n1=rvn2
or
where s1 and n1 are at least somewhat (preferably substantially) uncorrelated and s2 and n2 are at least somewhat (preferably substantially) uncorrelated. The first and second measured signals S1 and S2 are related by correlation coefficients ra and rv as defined above. The use and selection of these coefficients is described in further detail below.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, this signal model is used in combination with a correlation canceler, such as an adaptive noise canceler, to remove or derive the erratic portion of the measured signals.
Generally, a correlation canceler has two signal inputs and one output. One of the inputs is either the secondary reference n′(t) or the primary reference s′(t) which are correlated, respectively, to the secondary signal portions n(t) and the primary signal portions s(t) present in the composite signal S(t). The other input is for the composite signal S(t). Ideally, the output of the correlation canceler s″(t) or n″(t) corresponds, respectively, to the primary signal s(t) or the secondary signal n(t) portions only. Often, the most difficult task in the application of correlation cancelers is determining the reference signals n′(t) and s′(t) which are correlated to the secondary n(t) and primary s(t) portions, respectively, of the measured signal S(t) since, as discussed above, these portions are quite difficult to isolate from the measured signal S(t). In the signal processor of the present invention, either a secondary reference n′(t) or a primary reference s′(t) is determined from two composite signals measured simultaneously, or nearly simultaneously, at two different wavelengths, λa and λb.
A block diagram of a generic monitor incorporating a signal processor according to the present invention, and a correlation canceler is shown in
The signals Sλa(t) and Sλb(t) are input to a reference processor 26. The reference processor 26 multiplies the second measured signal Sλb(t) by either a factor ra=sλa(t)/sλb(t) or a factor rv=nλa(t)/nλb(t) and then subtracts the second measured signal Sλb(t) from the first measured signal Sλa(t). The signal coefficient factors ra and rv are determined to cause either the primary signal portions sλa(t) and sλb(t) or the secondary signal portions nλa(t) and nλb(t) to cancel, respectively, when the two signals Sλa(t) and Sλb(t) are subtracted. Thus, the output of the reference processor 26 is either a secondary reference signal n′(t)=nλa(t)−ranλb(t), in
In one embodiment, an adaptive noise canceler 30, an example of which is shown in block diagram form in
The adaptive noise canceler 30, in
The adaptive noise canceler 30 functions to remove frequencies common to both the reference n′(t) or s′(t) and the measured signal Sλa(t) or Sλb(t). Since the reference signals are correlated to either the secondary signal portions nλa(t) and nλb(t) or the primary signal portions sλa(t) and sλb(t), the reference signals will be correspondingly erratic or well behaved. The adaptive noise canceler 30 acts in a manner which may be analogized to a dynamic multiple notch filter based on the spectral distribution of the reference signal n′(t) or s′(t).
c illustrates an exemplary transfer function of a multiple notch filter. The notches, or dips in the amplitude of the transfer function, indicate frequencies which are attenuated or removed when a signal passes through the notch filter. The output of the notch filter is the composite signal having frequencies at which a notch is present removed. In the analogy to an adaptive noise canceler 30, the frequencies at which notches are present change continuously based upon the inputs to the adaptive noise canceler 30.
The adaptive noise canceler 30 (
One algorithm which may be used for the adjustment of the transfer function of the internal processor 32 is a least-squares algorithm, as described in Chapter 6 and Chapter 12 of the book Adaptive Signal Processing by Bernard Widrow and Samuel Stearns, published by Prentice Hall, copyright 1985. This entire book, including Chapters 6 and 12, is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Adaptive processors 30 in
An explanation which describes how the reference signals n′(t) and s′(t) may be determined follows. A first signal is measured at, for example, a wavelength λa, by a detector yielding a signal Sλa(t):
Sλa(t)=sλa(t)+nλa(t) (1)
where sλa(t) is the primary signal portion and nλa(t) is the secondary signal portion.
A similar measurement is taken simultaneously, or nearly simultaneously, at a different wavelength, λb, yielding:
Sλb(t)=sλb(t)+nλb(t). (2)
Note that as long as the measurements, Sλa(t) and Sλb(t), are taken substantially simultaneously, the secondary signal components, nλa(t) and nλb(t), are correlated because any random or erratic functions affect each measurement in nearly the same fashion. The substantially predictable primary signal components, sλa(t) and sλb(t), are also correlated to one another.
To obtain the reference signals n′(t) and s′(t), the measured signals Sλa(t) and Sλb(t) are transformed to eliminate, respectively, the primary or secondary signal components. In accordance with the present invention one way of doing this is to find proportionality constants, ra and rv, between the primary signal portions sλa(t) and sλb(t) and the secondary signal portions nλa(t) and nλb(t) such that the signals can be modeled as follows:
sλa(t)=rasλb(t)
nλa(t)=rvnλb(t). (3)
In accordance with the inventive signal model of the present invention, these proportionality relationships can be satisfied in many measurements, including but not limited to absorption measurements and physiological measurements. Additionally, in accordance with the signal model of the present invention, in most measurements, the proportionality constants ra and rv can be determined such that:
nλa(t)≠ranλb(t)
sλa(t)≠rvsλb(t). (4)
Multiplying equation (2) by ra and then subtracting equation (2) from equation (1) results in a single equation wherein the primary signal terms sλa(t) and sλb(t) cancel:
n′(t)=Sλa(t)−raSλb(t)=nλa(t)−ranλb(t); (5a)
a non-zero signal which is correlated to each secondary signal portion nλa(t) and nλb(t) and can be used as the secondary reference n′(t) in a correlation canceler such as an adaptive noise canceler.
Multiplying equation (2) by rv and then subtracting equation (2) from equation (1) results in a single equation wherein the secondary signal terms nλa(t) and nλb(t) cancel, leaving:
s′(t)=Sλa(t)−rvSλb(t)=sλa(t)−rvsλb(t); (5b)
a non-zero signal which is correlated to each of the primary signal portions sλa(t) and sλb(t) and can be used as the signal reference s′(t) in a correlation canceler such as an adaptive noise canceler.
Correlation canceling is particularly useful in a large number of measurements generally described as absorption measurements. An example of an absorption type monitor which can advantageously employ correlation canceling, such as adaptive noise canceling, based upon a reference n′(t) or s′(t) determined by a processor of the present invention is one which determines the concentration of an energy absorbing constituent within an absorbing material when the material is subject to change. Such changes can be caused by forces about which information is desired or primary, or alternatively, by random or erratic secondary forces such as a mechanical force on the material. Random or erratic interference, such as motion, generates secondary components in the measured signal. These secondary components can be removed or derived by the correlation canceler if a suitable secondary reference n′(t) or primary reference s′(t) is known.
A schematic N constituent absorbing material comprising a container 42 having N different absorbing constituents, labeled A1, A2, A3, . . . AN, is shown in
Initially transforming the signal by taking the natural logarithm of both sides and manipulating terms, the signal is transformed such that the signal components are combined by addition rather than multiplication, i.e.:
where I0 is the incident light energy intensity; I is the transmitted light energy intensity; εi,λa is the absorption coefficient of the ith constituent at the wavelength λa; xi(t) is the optical path length of ith layer, i.e., the thickness of material of the ith layer through which optical energy passes; and ci(t) is the concentration of the ith constituent in the volume associated with the thickness xi(t). The absorption coefficients ε1 through εN are known values which are constant at each wavelength. Most concentrations ci(t) through cN(t) are typically unknown, as are most of the optical path lengths xi(t) of each layer. The total optical path length is the sum of each of the individual optical path lengths xi(t) of each layer.
When the material is not subject to any forces which cause change in the thicknesses of the layers, the optical path length of each layer, xi(t), is generally constant. This results in generally constant attenuation of the optical energy and thus, a generally constant offset in the measured signal. Typically, this offset portion of the signal is of little interest since knowledge about a force which perturbs the material is usually desired. Any signal portion outside of a known bandwidth of interest, including the constant undesired signal portion resulting from the generally constant absorption of the constituents when not subject to change, is removed. This is easily accomplished by traditional band pass filtering techniques. However, when the material is subject to forces, each layer of constituents may be affected by the perturbation differently than other layers. Some perturbations of the optical path lengths of each layer xi(t) may result in excursions in the measured signal which represent desired or primary information. Other perturbations of the optical path length of each layer xi(t) cause undesired or secondary excursions which mask primary information in the measured signal. Secondary signal components associated with secondary excursions must also be removed to obtain primary information from the measured signal. Similarly, the ability to compute secondary signal components caused by secondary excursions directly allows one to obtain primary signal components from the measured signal via simple subtraction, or correlation cancellation techniques.
The correlation canceler may selectively remove from the composite signal, measured after being transmitted through or reflected from the absorbing material, either the secondary or the primary signal components caused by forces which perturb or change the material differently from the forces which perturbed or changed the material to cause respectively, either the primary or secondary signal component. For the purposes of illustration, it will be assumed that the portion of the measured signal which is deemed to be the primary signal sλa(t) is the attenuation term ε5c5x5(t) associated with a constituent of interest, namely A5, and that the layer of constituent A5 is affected by perturbations different than each of the layers of other constituents A1 through A4 and A6 through AN. An example of such a situation is when layer A5 is subject to forces about which information is deemed to be primary and, additionally, the entire material is subject to forces which affect each of the layers. In this case, since the total force affecting the layer of constituent A5 is different than the total forces affecting each of the other layers and information is deemed to be primary about the forces and resultant perturbation of the layer of constituent A5, attenuation terms due to constituents A1 through A4 and A6 through AN make up the secondary signal portion nλa(t). Even if the additional forces which affect the entire material cause the same perturbation in each layer, including the layer of A5, the total forces on the layer of constituent A5 cause it to have different total perturbation than each of the other layers of constituents A1 through A4 and A6 through AN.
It is often the case that the total perturbation affecting the layers associated with the secondary signal components is caused by random or erratic forces. This causes the thickness of layers to change erratically and the optical path length of each layer, xi(t), to change erratically, thereby producing a random or erratic secondary signal component nλa(t). However, regardless of whether or not the secondary signal portion nλa(t) is erratic, the secondary signal component nλa(t) can be either removed or derived via a correlation canceler, such as an adaptive noise canceler, having as one input, respectively, a secondary reference n′(t) or a primary reference s′(t) determined by a processor of the present invention as long as the perturbation on layers other than the layer of constituent A5 is different than the perturbation on the layer of constituent A5. The correlation canceler yields a good approximation to either the primary signal sλa(t) or the secondary signal nλa(t). In the event that an approximation to the primary signal is obtained, the concentration of the constituent of interest, c5(t), can often be determined since in some physiological measurements, the thickness of the primary signal component, x5(t) in this example, is known or can be determined.
The correlation canceler utilizes either the secondary reference n′(t) or the primary reference s′(t) determined from two substantially simultaneously measured signals Sλa(t) and Sλb(t). Sλa(t) is determined as above in equation (7). Sλb(t) is determined similarly at a different wavelength λb. To find either the secondary reference n′(t) or the primary reference s′(t), attenuated transmitted energy is measured at the two different wavelengths λa and λb and transformed via logarithmic conversion. The signals Sλa(t) and Sλb(t) can then be written (logarithm converted) as:
S
λa(t)=ε5,λac5x5(t)+nλa(t) (9)
S
λb(t)=ε5,λbc5x5(t)+nλb(t) (11)
Further transformations of the signals are the proportionality relationships in accordance with the signal model of the present invention defining ra and rv, similar to equation (3), which allows determination of a noise reference n′(t) and a primary reference s′(t). These are:
ε5,λa=raε5,λb (12a)
nλa=rvnλb (12b)
where
nλa≠ranλb (13a)
ε5,λa≠rvε5,λb. (13b)
It is often the case that both equations (12) and (13) can be simultaneously satisfied. Multiplying equation (11) by ra and subtracting the result from equation (9) yields a non-zero secondary reference which is a linear sum of secondary signal components:
Multiplying equation (11) by rv and subtracting the result from equation (9) yields a primary reference which is a linear sum of primary signal components:
A sample of either the secondary reference n′(t) or the primary reference s′(t), and a sample of either measured signal Sλa(t) or Sλb(t), are input to a correlation canceler 27, such as an adaptive noise canceler 30, an example of which is shown in
c5(t)≈s″λa(t)/ε5,λax5(t) (17a)
or
c5(t)≈s″λb(t)/ε5,λbx5(t) (17b)
As discussed previously, the absorption coefficients are constant at each wavelength λa and λb and the thickness of the primary signal component, x5(t) in this example, is often known or can be determined as a function of time, thereby allowing calculation of the concentration c5(t) of constituent A5.
Referring to
Often it is desirable to find the concentration or the saturation, i.e., a percent concentration, of one constituent within a given thickness which contains more than one constituent and is subject to unique forces. A determination of the concentration or the saturation of a constituent within a given volume may be made with any number of constituents in the volume subject to the same total forces and therefore under the same perturbation or change. To determine the saturation of one constituent in a volume comprising many constituents, as many measured signals as there are constituents which absorb incident light energy are necessary. It will be understood that constituents which do not absorb light energy are not consequential in the determination of saturation. To determine the concentration, as many signals as there are constituents which absorb incident light energy are necessary as well as information about the sum of concentrations.
It is often the case that a thickness under unique motion contains only two constituents. For example, it may be desirable to know the concentration or saturation of A5 within a given volume which contains A5 and A6. In this case, the primary signals sλa(t) and sλb(t) comprise terms related to both A5 and A6 so that a determination of the concentration or saturation of A5 or A6 in the volume may be made. A determination of saturation is discussed herein. It will be understood that the concentration of A5 in a volume containing both A5 and A6 could also be determined if it is known that A5+A6=1, i.e., that there are no constituents in the volume which do not absorb incident light energy at the particular measurement wavelengths chosen. The measured signals Sλa(t) and Sλb(t) can be written (logarithm converted) as:
It is also often the case that there may be two or more thicknesses within a medium each containing the same two constituents but each experiencing a separate motion as in
n
λb(t)=[ε5,λbc3+ε6,λbc4]x3,4(t)+nλb(t) (21c)
where signals nλa(t) and nλb(t) are similar to the secondary signals nλa(t) and nλb(t) except for the omission of the 3, 4 layer.
Any signal portions whether primary or secondary, outside of a known bandwidth of interest, including the constant undesired secondary signal portion resulting from the generally constant absorption of the constituents when not under perturbation, should be removed to determine an approximation to either the primary signal or the secondary signal within the bandwidth of interest. This is easily accomplished by traditional band pass filtering techniques. As in the previous example, it is often the case that the total perturbation or change affecting the layers associated with the secondary signal components is caused by random or erratic forces, causing the thickness of each layer, or the optical path length of each layer, xi(t), to change erratically, producing a random or erratic secondary signal component nλa(t). Regardless of whether or not the secondary signal portion nλa(t) is erratic, the secondary signal component nλa(t) can be removed or derived via a correlation canceler, such as an adaptive noise canceler, having as one input a secondary reference n′(t) or a primary reference s′(t) determined by a processor of the present invention as long as the perturbation in layers other than the layer or constituents A5 and A6 is different than the perturbation in the layer of constituents A5 and A6. Either the erratic secondary signal components nλa(t) and nλb(t) or the primary components sλa(t) and sλb(t) may advantageously be removed from equations (18) and (19), or alternatively equations (20) and (21), by a correlation canceler. The correlation canceler, again, requires a sample of either the primary reference s′(t) or the secondary reference n′(t) and a sample of either of the composite signals Sλa(t) or Sλb(t) of equations (18) and (19).
One method for determining reference signals s′(t) or n′(t) from the measured signals Sλa(t) and Sλb(t) in accordance with one aspect of the invention is what will be referred to as the constant saturation approach. In this approach, it is assumed that the saturation of A5 in the volume containing A5 and A6 and the saturation of A3 in the volume containing A3 and A4 remains relatively constant over some period of time, i.e.:
Saturation(A5(t))=c5(t)/[c5(t)+c6(t)] (22a)
Saturation(A3(t))=c3(t)/[c3(t)+c4(t)] (22b)
Saturation(A5(t))={1+[c6(t)/c5(t)]}−1 (23a)
Saturation(A3(t))={1+[c4(t)/c3(t)]}−1 (23b)
are substantially constant over many samples of the measured signals Sλa and Sλb. This assumption is accurate over many samples since saturation generally changes relatively slowly in physiological systems.
The constant saturation assumption is equivalent to assuming that:
c5(t)/c6(t)=constant1 (24a)
c3(t)/c4(t)=constant2 (24b)
since the only other term in equations (23a) and (23b) is a constant, namely the numeral 1.
Using this assumption, the proportionality constants ra and rv which allow determination of the secondary reference signal n′(t) and the primary reference signal s′(t) in the constant saturation method are:
In accordance with the present invention, it is often the case that both equations (26) and (30) can be simultaneously satisfied to determine the proportionality constants ra and rv. Additionally, the absorption coefficients at each wavelength ε5,λa, ε6,λa, ε5,λb, and ε6,λb are constant and the central assumption of the constant saturation method is that c5(t)/c6(t) and c3(t)/c4(t) are constant over many sample periods. Thus, new proportionality constants ra and rv may be determined every few samples from new approximations to either the primary or secondary signal as output from the correlation canceler. Thus, the approximations to either the primary signals sλa(t) and sλb(t) or the secondary signals nλa(t) and nλb(t), found by the correlation canceler for a substantially immediately preceding set of samples of the measured signals Sλa(t) and Sλb(t) are used in a processor of the present invention for calculating the proportionality constants, ra and rv, for the next set of samples of the measured signals Sλa(t) and Sλb(t).
Multiplying equation (19) by ra and subtracting the resulting equation from equation (18) yields a non-zero secondary reference signal:
n′(t)=Sλa(t)−raSλb(t)=nλa(t)−ranλb(t). (31a)
Multiplying equation (19) by rv and subtracting the resulting equation from equation (18) yields a non-zero primary reference signal:
s′(t)=Sλa(t)−rvSλb(t)=sλa(t)−rvsλb(t). (31b)
When using the constant saturation method in patient monitoring, initial proportionality coefficients can be determined as further explained below. It is not necessary for the patient to remain motionless even for an initialization period. With values for the proportionality coefficients ra and rv determined, a correlation canceler may be utilized with a secondary reference n′(t) or a primary reference s′(t).
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the reference processor 26 of
R′(r, t)=sλa(t)−rsλb(t)+nλa(t)−rnλb(t) (32)
for r=r1, r2, . . . rn as shown in
In order to determine either the primary reference s′(t) or the secondary reference n′(t) from the above plurality of reference signals of equation (32), signal coefficients ra and rv are determined from the plurality of assumed signal coefficients r1, r2, . . . rn. The coefficients ra and rv are selected such that they cause either the primary signal portions sλa(t) and sλb(t) or the secondary signal portions nλa(t) and nλb(t) to cancel or nearly cancel when they are substituted into the reference function R′(r, t), e.g.
sλa(t)=rasλb(t) (33a)
nλa(t)=rvnλb(t) (33b)
n′(t)=R′(ra, t)=nλa(t)−ranλb(t) (33c)
s′(t)=R′(rv, t)=sλa(t)−rvsλb(t). (33d)
In other words, coefficients ra and rv are selected at values which reflect the minimum of correlation between the primary signal portions and the secondary signal portions. In practice, one does not usually have significant prior information about either the primary signal portions sλa(t) and sλb(t) or the secondary signal portions nλa(t) and nλb(t) of the measured signals Sλa(t) and Sλb(t). The lack of this information makes it difficult to determine which of the plurality of coefficients r1, r2, . . . rn correspond to the signal coefficients ra=sλa(t)/sλb(t) and rv=nλa(t)/nλb(t).
One approach to determine the signal coefficients ra and rv from the plurality of coefficients r1, r2, . . . rn employs the use of a correlation canceler 27, such as an adaptive noise canceler, which takes a first input which corresponds to one of the measured signals Sλa(t) or Sλb(t) and takes a second input which corresponds to successively each one of the plurality of reference signals R′(r1, t), R′(r2, t), . . . , R′(rn, t) as shown in
Use of a plurality of coefficients in the processor of the present invention in conjunction with a correlation canceler 27 to determine the signal coefficients ra and rv may be demonstrated by using the properties of correlation cancellation. If x, y and z are taken to be any collection of three time varying signals, then the properties of some correlation cancelers C(x, y) may be defined as follows:
Property (1) C(x, y)=0 for x, y correlated (34a)
Property (2) C(x, y)=x for x, y uncorrelated (34b)
Property (3) C(x+y, z)=C(x, z)+C(y, z) (34c)
With properties (1), (2) and (3) it is easy to demonstrate that the energy or power output of a correlation canceler with a first input which corresponds to one of the measured signals Sλa(t) or Sλb(t) and a second input which corresponds to successively each one of a plurality of reference signals R′(r1, t), R′(r2, t), . . . , R′(rn, t) can determine the signal coefficients ra and rv needed to produce the primary reference s′(t) and secondary reference n′(t). If we take as a first input to the correlation canceler the measured signal Sλa(t) and as a second input the plurality of reference signals R′(r1, t), R′(r2, t), . . . , R′(rn, t) then the outputs of the correlation canceler C(Sλa(t), R′(rj,t)) for j=1, 2, . . . , n may be written as
C(sλa(t)+nλa(t),sλa(t)−rjsλb(t)+nλa(t)−rjnλb(t)) (35)
where j=1, 2, . . . , n and we have used the expressions
R′(r, t)=Sλa(t)−rSλb(t) (36)
Sλa(t)=sλa(t)+nλa(t) (37a)
Sλb(t)=sλb(t)+nλb(t). (37b)
The use of property (3) allows one to expand equation (35) into two terms
C(Sλa(t),R′(r,t))=C(sλa(t),sλa(t)−rsλb(t)+nλa(t)−rnλb(t))+C(nλa(t),sλa(t)−rsλb(t)+nλa(t)−rnλb(t)) (38)
so that upon use of properties (1) and (2) the correlation canceler output is given by
C(Sλa(t), R′(rj,t))=sλa(t)δ(rj−ra)+nλa(t)δ(rj−rv) (39)
where δ(x) is the unit impulse function
δ(x)=0 if x≠0
δ(x)=1 if x=0. (40)
The time variable, t, of the correlation canceler output C(Sλa(t), R′(rj, t)) may be eliminated by computing its energy or power. The energy of the correlation canceler output is given by
Eλa(rj)=∫C2(Sλa(t),R′(rj,t)dt=δ(rj−ra)∫s2λa(t)dt+δ(rj−rv)∫n2λa(t)dt. (41a)
It should be understood that one could, equally well, have chosen the measured signal Sλb(t) as the first input to the correlation canceler and the plurality of reference signals R′(r1, t), R′(r2, t), . . . , R′(rn, t) as the second input. In this event, the correlation canceler energy output is
Eλb(rj)=∫C2(Sλb(t),R′(r,t)dt=δ(rj−ra)∫s2λb(t)dt+δ(rj−rv)∫n2λb(t)dt. (41b)
It should also be understood that in practical situations the use of discrete time measurement signals may be employed as well as continuous time measurement signals. A system which performs a discrete transform (e.g., a saturation transform in the present example) in accordance with the present invention is described with reference to
where ti is the ith discrete time, t0 is the initial time, tn is the final time and Δt is the time between discrete time measurement samples.
The energy functions given above, and shown in
It should be understood that there may be instances in time when either the primary signal portions sλa(t) and sλb(t) or the secondary signal portions nλa(t) and nλb(t) are identically zero or nearly zero. In these cases, only one signal coefficient value will provide maximum energy or power output of the correlation canceler.
Since there may be more than one signal coefficient value which provides maximum correlation canceler energy or power output, an ambiguity may arise. It may not be immediately obvious which signal coefficient together with the reference function R′(r, t) provides either the primary or secondary reference. In such cases, it is necessary to consider the constraints of the physical system at hand. For example, in pulse oximetry, it is known that arterial blood, whose signature is the primary plethysmographic wave, has greater oxygen saturation than venous blood, whose signature is the secondary erratic or random signal. Consequently, in pulse oximetry, the ratio of the primary signals due to arterial pulsation ra=sλa(t)/sλb(t) is the smaller of the two signal coefficient values while the ratio of the secondary signals due to mainly venous blood dynamics rv=nλa(t)/nλb(t) is the larger of the two signal coefficient values, assuming λa=660 nm and λb=910 nm.
It should also be understood that in practical implementations of the plurality of reference signals and cross correlator technique, the ideal features listed as properties (1), (2) and (3) above will not be precisely satisfied but will be approximations thereof. Therefore, in practical implementations of this embodiment of the present invention, the correlation canceler energy curves depicted in
It should also be understood that it is possible to have more than two signal coefficient values which produce maximum energy or power output from a correlation canceler. This situation arises when the measured signals each contain more than two components each of which are related by a ratio as follows:
where
fλa,i(t)=rifλb,i(t)
i=1, . . . n
ri≠rj.
Thus, reference signal techniques together with a correlation cancellation, such as an adaptive noise canceler, can be employed to decompose a signal into two or more signal components each of which is related by a ratio.
Once either the secondary reference n′(t) or the primary reference s′(t) is determined by the processor of the present invention, the correlation canceler can be implemented in either hardware or software. The preferred implementation of a correlation canceler is that of an adaptive noise canceler using a joint process estimator.
The least mean squares (LMS) implementation of the internal processor 32 described above in conjunction with the adaptive noise canceler of
The function of the joint process estimator is to remove either the secondary signal portions nλa(t) or nλb(t) or the primary signal portions sλa(t) or sλb(t) from the measured signals Sλa(t) or Sλb(t), yielding either a primary signal approximation s″λa(t) or s″λb(t) or a secondary signal approximation n″λa(t) or n″λb(t). Thus, the joint process estimator estimates either the value of the primary signals sλa(t) or sλb(t) or the secondary signals nλa(t) or nλb(t). The inputs to the joint process estimator 60 are either the secondary reference n′(t) or the primary reference s′(t) and the composite measured signal Sλa(t) or Sλb(t). The output is a good approximation to the signal Sλa(t) or Sλb(t) with either the secondary signal or the primary signal removed, i.e. a good approximation to either sλa(t), sλb(t), nλa(t) or nλb(t).
The joint process estimator 60 of
The joint process estimator 60 removes all frequencies that are present in both the reference n′(t) or s′(t), and the measured signal Sλa(t). The secondary signal portion nλa(t) usually comprises frequencies unrelated to those of the primary signal portion sλa(t). It is improbable that the secondary signal portion nλa(t) would be of exactly the same spectral content as the primary signal portion sλa(t). However, in the unlikely event that the spectral content of sλa(t) and nλa(t) are similar, this approach will not yield accurate results. Functionally, the joint process estimator 60 compares the reference input signal n′(t) or s′(t), which is correlated to either the secondary signal portion nλa(t) or the primary signal portion sλa(t), and input signal Sλa(t) and removes all frequencies which are identical. Thus, the joint process estimator 60 acts as a dynamic multiple notch filter to remove those frequencies in the secondary signal component nλa(t) as they change erratically with the motion of the patient or those frequencies in the primary signal component sλa(t) as they change with the arterial pulsation of the patient. This yields a signal having substantially the same spectral content and amplitude as either the primary signal sλa(t) or the secondary signal nλa(t). Thus, the output s″λa(t) or n″λa(t) of the joint process estimator 60 is a very good approximation to either the primary signal sλa(t) or the secondary signal nλa(t).
The joint process estimator 60 can be divided into stages, beginning with a zero-stage and terminating in an mth-stage, as shown in
The least-squares lattice predictor 70 comprises registers 90 and 92, summing elements 100 and 102, and delay elements 110. The registers 90 and 92 contain multiplicative values of a forward reflection coefficient Γf,m(t) and a backward reflection coefficient Γb,m(t) which multiply the reference signal n′(t) or s′(t) and signals derived from the reference signal n′(t) or s′(t). Each stage of the least-squares lattice predictor outputs a forward prediction error fm(t) and a backward prediction error bm(t). The subscript m is indicative of the stage.
For each set of samples, i.e. one sample of the reference signal n′(t) or s′(t) derived substantially simultaneously with one sample of the measured signal Sλa(t), the sample of the reference signal n′(t) or s′(t) is input to the least-squares lattice predictor 70. The zero-stage forward prediction error f0(t) and the zero-stage backward prediction error b0(t) are set equal to the reference signal n′(t) or s′(t). The backward prediction error b0(t) is delayed by one sample period by the delay element 110 in the first stage of the least-squares lattice predictor 70. Thus, the immediately previous value of the reference n′(t) or s′(t) is used in calculations involving the first-stage delay element 110. The zero-stage forward prediction error is added to the negative of the delayed zero-stage backward prediction error b0(t−1) multiplied by the forward reflection coefficient value Γf,1(t) register 90 value, to produce a first-stage forward prediction error f1(t). Additionally, the zero-stage forward prediction error f0(t) is multiplied by the backward reflection coefficient Γb,1(t) register 92 value and added to the delayed zero-stage backward prediction error b0(t−1) to produce a first-stage backward prediction error b1(t). In each subsequent stage, m, of the least square lattice predictor 70, the previous forward and backward prediction error values, fm−1(t) and bm−1(t−1), the backward prediction error being delayed by one sample period, are used to produce values of the forward and backward prediction errors for the present stage, fm(t) and bm(t).
The backward prediction error bm(t) is fed to the concurrent stage, m, of the regression filter 80. There it is input to a register 96, which contains a multiplicative regression coefficient value κm,λa(t). For example, in the zero-stage of the regression filter 80, the zero-stage backward prediction error b0(t) is multiplied by the zero-stage regression coefficient κ0,λa(t) register 96 value and subtracted from the measured value of the signal Sλa(t) at a summing element 106 to produce a first stage estimation error signal e1,λa(t). The first-stage estimation error signal e1,λa(t) is a first approximation to either the primary signal or the secondary signal. This first-stage estimation error signal e1,λa(t) is input to the first-stage of the regression filter 80. The first-stage backward prediction error b1(t), multiplied by the first-stage regression coefficient κ1,λa(t) register 96 value is subtracted from the first-stage estimation error signal e1,λa(t) to produce the second-stage estimation error e2,λa(t). The second-stage estimation error signal e2,λa(t) is a second, somewhat better approximation to either the primary signal sλa(t) or the secondary signal nλa(t).
The same processes are repeated in the least-squares lattice predictor 70 and the regression filter 80 for each stage until a good approximation em,λa(t), to either the primary signal sλa(t) or the secondary signal nλa(t) is determined. Each of the signals discussed above, including the forward prediction error fm(t), the backward prediction error bm(t), the estimation error signal em,λa(t), is necessary to calculate the forward reflection coefficient Γf,m(t), the backward reflection coefficient Γb,m(t), and the regression coefficient κm,λa(t) register 90, 92, and 96 values in each stage, m. In addition to the forward prediction error fm(t), the backward prediction error bm(t), and the estimation error em,λa(t) signals, a number of intermediate variables, not shown in
Intermediate variables include a weighted sum of the forward prediction error squares ℑm(t), a weighted sum of the backward prediction error squares βm(t), a scalar parameter Δm(t), a conversion factor γm(t), and another scalar parameter ρm,λa(t). The weighted sum of the forward prediction errors ℑm(t) is defined as:
where λ without a wavelength identifier, a or b, is a constant multiplicative value unrelated to wavelength and is typically less than or equal to one, i.e., λ≦1. The weighted sum of the backward prediction errors βm(t) is defined as:
where, again, λ without a wavelength identifier, a or b, is a constant multiplicative value unrelated to wavelength and is typically less than or equal to one, i.e., λ≦1. These weighted sum intermediate error signals can be manipulated such that they are more easily solved for, as described in Chapter 9, § 9.3 of the Haykin book referenced above and defined hereinafter in equations (59) and (60).
The operation of the joint process estimator 60 is as follows. When the joint process estimator 60 is turned on, the initial values of intermediate variables and signals including the parameter Δm−1(t), the weighted sum of the forward prediction error signals ℑm−1(t), the weighted sum of the backward prediction error signals βm−1(t), the parameter ρm,λa(t), and the zero-stage estimation error e0,λa(t) are initialized, some to zero and some to a small positive number δ:
Δm−1(0)=0; (46)
ℑm−1(0)=δ; (47)
βm−1(0)=δ; (48)
ρm,λa(0)=0; (49)
e0,λa(t)=Sλa(t) for t≧0. (50)
After initialization, a simultaneous sample of the measured signal Sλa(t) or Sλb(t) and either the secondary reference n′(t) or the primary reference s′(t) are input to the joint process estimator 60, as shown in
f0(t)=b0(t)=n′(t) (51a)
ℑ0(t)=β0(t)=λℑ0(t−1)+|n′(t)|2 (52a)
γ0(t−1)=1 (53a)
if a secondary reference n′(t) is used or according to:
f0(t)=b0(t)=s′(t) (51b)
ℑ0(t)=β0(t)=λℑ0(t−1)+|s′(t)|2 (52b)
γ0(t−1)=1 (53b)
if a primary reference s′(t) is used where, again, λ without a wavelength identifier, a or b, is a constant multiplicative value unrelated to wavelength.
Forward reflection coefficient Γf,m(t), backward reflection coefficient Γb,m(t), and regression coefficient κm,λa(t) register 90, 92 and 96 values in each stage thereafter are set according to the output of the previous stage. The forward reflection coefficient Γf,1(t), backward reflection coefficient Γb,1(t), and regression coefficient κ1,λa(t) register 90, 92 and 96 values in the first stage are thus set according to the algorithm using values in the zero-stage of the joint process estimator 60. In each stage, m≧1, intermediate values and register values including the parameter Δm−1(t); the forward reflection coefficient Γf,m(t) register 90 value; the backward reflection coefficient Γb,m(t) register 92 value; the forward and backward error signals fm(t) and bm(t); the weighted sum of squared forward prediction errors ℑf,m(t), as manipulated in § 9.3 of the Haykin book; the weighted sum of squared backward prediction errors βb,m(t), as manipulated in § 9.3 of the Haykin book; the conversion factor γm(t); the parameter ρm,λa(t); the regression coefficient κm,λa(t) register 96 value; and the estimation error em+1λa(t) value are set according to:
Δm−1(t)=λΔm−1(t−1)+{bm−1(t−1)f*m−1(t)/γm−1(t−1)} (54)
Γf,m(t)=−{Δm−1(t)/βm−1(t−1)} (55)
Γb,m(t)=−{Δ*m−1(t)/ℑm−1(t)} (56)
fm(t)=fm−1(t)+Γ*f,m(t)bm−1(t−1) (57)
bm(t)=bm−1(t−1)+Γ*b,m(t)fm−1(t) (58)
ℑm(t)=ℑm−1(t)−{|Δm−1(t)|2/βm−1(t−1)} (59)
βm(t)=βm−1(t−1)−{|Δm−1(t)|2/ℑm−1(t)} (60)
γm(t−1)=γm−1(t−1)−{|bm−1(t−1)|2/βm−1(t−1)} (61)
ρm,λa(t)=λρm,λa(t−1)+{bm(t)ε*m,λa(t)/γm(t)} (62)
κm,λa(t)={ρm,λa(t)/βm(t)} (63)
εm+1,λa(t)=εm,λa(t)−κ*m(t)bm(t) (64)
where a (*) denotes a complex conjugate.
These equations cause the error signals fm(t), bm(t), em,λa(t) to be squared or to be multiplied by one another, in effect squaring the errors, and creating new intermediate error values, such as Δm−1(t). The error signals and the intermediate error values are recursively tied together, as shown in the above equations (54) through (64). They interact to minimize the error signals in the next stage.
After a good approximation to either the primary signal sλa(t) or the secondary signal nλa(t) has been determined by the joint process estimator 60, a next set of samples, including a sample of the measured signal Sλa(t) and a sample of either the secondary reference n′(t) or the primary reference s′(t), are input to the joint process estimator 60. The re-initialization process does not re-occur, such that the forward and backward reflection coefficient Γf,m(t) and Γb,m(t) register 90, 92 values and the regression coefficient κm,λa(t) register 96 value reflect the multiplicative values required to estimate either the primary signal portion sλa(t) or the secondary signal portion nλa(t) of the sample of Sλa(t) input previously. Thus, information from previous samples is used to estimate either the primary or secondary signal portion of a present set of samples in each stage.
In a more numerically stable and preferred embodiment of the above described joint process estimator, a normalized joint process estimator is used. This version of the joint process estimator normalizes several variables of the above-described joint process estimator such that the normalized variables fall between −1 and 1. The derivation of the normalized joint process estimator is motivated in the Haykin text as problem 12 on page 640 by redefining the variables defined according to the following conditions:
This transformation allows the conversion of Equations (54)-(64) to the following normalized equations:
Initialization of Normalized Joint Process Estimator
Let N(t) be defined as the reference noise input at time index n and U(t) be defined as combined signal plus noise input at time index t the following equations apply (see Haykin, p. 619):
1. To initialize the algorithm, at time t=0 set
βm−1(0)=δ=10−6
γ0(0)=1
2. At each instant t≧1, generate the various zeroth-order variables as follows:
γ0(t−1)=1
β0(t)=λβ0(t−1)+N2(t)
3. For regression filtering, initialize the algorithm by setting at time index t=0
ρm(0)=0
4. At each instant t≧1, generate the zeroth-order variable
ε0(t)=U(t).
Accordingly, a normalized joint process estimator can be used for a more stable system.
In yet another embodiment, the correlation cancellation is performed with a QRD algorithm as shown diagrammatically in
The following equations adapted from the Haykin book correspond to the QRD-LSL diagram of
Computations
a. Predictions: For time t=1, 2, . . . , and prediction order m=1, 2, . . . , M, where M is the final prediction order, compute:
βm−1(t−1)=λβm−1(t−2)+|εb,m−1(t−1)|2
εf,m(t)=cb,m−1(t−1)εf,m−1(t)−s*b,m−1(t−1)λ1/2π*f,m−1(t−1)
π*f,m−1(t)=cb,m−1(t−1)λ1/2π*f,m−1(t−1)+sb,m−1(t−1)εf,m−1(t)
γm1/2(t−1)=cb,m−1(t−1)γm−11/2(t−1)
ℑm−1(t)=λℑm−1(t−1)+|εf,m−1(t)|2
εb,m(t)=cf,m−1(t)εb,m−1(t−1)−s*f,m−1(t)λ1/2π*b,m−1(t−1)
π*b,m−1(t)=cf,m−1(t)λ1/2π*b,m−1(t−1)+sf,m−1(t)εb,m−1(t−1)
b. Filtering: For order m=0, 1, . . . , M−1; and time t=1, 2, . . . , compute
βm(t)=λβm(t−1)+|εb,m(t)|2
εm+1(t)=cb,m(t)εm(t)−s*b,m(t)λ1/2ρ*m(t−1)
ρ*m(t)=cb,m(t)λ1/2ρ*m(t−1)+sb,m(t)εm(t)
γm+11/2(t)=cb,m(t)γm1/2(t)
εm+1(t)=λm+11/2(t)εm+1(t)
5. Initialization
a. Auxiliary parameter initialization: for order m=1, 2, . . . , M, set
πf,m−1(0)=πb,m−1(0)=0
pm(0)=0
b. Soft constraint initialization: For order m=0, 1, . . . , M, set
βm(−1)=δ
ℑm(0)=δ
where δ is a small positive constant.
c. Data initialization: For t=1, 2, . . . , compute
εf,0(t)=εb,0(t)=μ(t)
ε0(t)=d(t)
γ0(t)=1
where μ(t) is the input and d(t) is the desired response at time t.
In a signal processor, such as a physiological monitor incorporating a reference processor of the present invention to determine a reference n′(t) or s′(t) for input to a correlation canceler, a joint process estimator 60 type adaptive noise canceler is generally implemented via a software program having an iterative loop. One iteration of the loop is analogous to a single stage of the joint process estimator as shown in
A flow chart of a subroutine to estimate the primary signal portion sλa(t) or the secondary signal portion nλa(t) of a measured composite signal, sλa(t) is shown in
A one-time initialization is performed when the physiological monitor is powered-on, as indicated by an “INITIALIZE NOISE CANCELER” action block 120. The initialization sets all registers 90, 92, and 96 and delay element variables 110 to the values described above in equations (46) through (50).
Next, a set of simultaneous samples of the composite measured signals Sλa(t) and Sλb(t) is input to the subroutine represented by the flowchart in
Then, using the set of measured signal samples Sλa(t) and Sλb(t), the reference signal is obtained using the ratiometric or the constant saturation methods described above. This is indicated by a “CALCULATE REFERENCE [n′(t) or s′(t)] FOR TWO MEASURED SIGNAL SAMPLES” action block 140.
A zero-stage order update is performed next as indicated in a “ZERO-STAGE UPDATE” action block 150. The zero-stage backward prediction error b0(t), and the zero-stage forward prediction error f0(t) are set equal to the value of the reference signal n′(t) or s′(t). Additionally, the weighted sum of the forward prediction errors ℑm(t) and the weighted sum of backward prediction errors βm(t) are set equal to the value defined in equations (47) and (48).
Next, a loop counter, m, is initialized as indicated in a “m=0” action block 160. A maximum value of m, defining the total number of stages to be used by the subroutine corresponding to the flowchart in
Within the loop, the forward and backward reflection coefficient Γf,m(t) and Γb,m(t) register 90 and 92 values in the least-squares lattice filter are calculated first, as indicated by the “ORDER UPDATE MTH CELL OF LSL-LATTICE” action block 170 in
The calculation of regression filter register 96 value κm,λa(t) is performed next, indicated by the “ORDER UPDATE MTH STAGE OF REGRESSION FILTER(S)” action block 180. The two order update action blocks 170 and 180 are performed in sequence m times, until m has reached its predetermined maximum (in the preferred embodiment, m=6 to m=10) or a solution has been converged upon, as indicated by a YES path from a “DONE” decision block 190. In a computer subroutine, convergence is determined by checking if the weighted sums of the forward and backward prediction errors ℑm(t) and βm(t) are less than a small positive number. An output is calculated next, as indicated by a “CALCULATE OUTPUT” action block 200. The output is a good approximation to either the primary signal or secondary signal, as determined by the reference processor 26 and joint process estimator 60 subroutine corresponding to the flow chart of
A new set of samples of the two measured signals Sλa(t) and Sλb(t) is input to the processor and joint process estimator 60 adaptive noise canceler subroutine corresponding to the flowchart of
A corresponding flowchart for the QRD algorithm of
Physiological monitors may use the approximation of the primary signals s″λa(t) or s″λb(t) or the secondary signals n″λa(t) or n″λb(t) to calculate another quantity, such as the saturation of one constituent in a volume containing that constituent plus one or more other constituents. Generally, such calculations require information about either a primary or secondary signal at two wavelengths. For example, the constant saturation method requires a good approximation of the primary signal portions sλa(t) and sλb(t) of both measured signals Sλa(t) and Sλb(t). The arterial saturation is determined from the approximations to both signals, i.e. s″λa(t) and s″λb(t). The constant saturation method also requires a good approximation of the secondary signal portions nλa(t) or nλb(t). An estimate of the venous saturation may be determined from the approximations to these signals i.e. n″λa(t) and n″λb(t).
A joint process estimator 60 having two regression filters 80a and 80b is shown in
The second regression filter 80b comprises registers 98, and summing elements 108 arranged similarly to those in the first regression filter 80a. The second regression filter 80b operates via an additional intermediate variable in conjunction with those defined by equations (54) through (64), i.e.:
ρm,λb(t)=λρm,λb(t−1)+{bm(t)e*m,λb(t)/γm(t)}; and (65)
ρ0,λb(0)=0. (66)
The second regression filter 80b has an error signal value defined similar to the first regression filter error signal values, em+1,λa(t), i.e.:
em+1,λb(t)=em,λb(t)−κm,λb(t)bm(t); and (67)
e0,λb(t)=Sλb(t) for t≧0. (68)
The second regression filter has a regression coefficient κm,λb(t) register 98 value defined similarly to the first regression filter error signal values, i.e.:
κm,λb(t)={ρm,λb(t)/βm(t)}; or (69)
These values are used in conjunction with those intermediate variable values, signal values, register and register values defined in equations (46) through (64). These signals are calculated in an order defined by placing the additional signals immediately adjacent a similar signal for the wavelength λa.
For the constant saturation method, Sλb(t) is input to the second regression filter 80b. The output is then a good approximation to the primary signal s″λb(t) or secondary signal s″λb(t).
The addition of the second regression filter 80b does not substantially change the computer program subroutine represented by the flowchart of
An alternative diagram for the joint process estimator of
Once good approximations to the primary signal portions s″λa(t) and s″λb(t) or the secondary signal portion, n″λa(t) and n″λb(t), have been determined by the joint process estimator 60, the saturation of A5 in a volume containing A5 and A6, for example, may be calculated according to various known methods. Mathematically, the approximations to the primary signals can be written in terms of λa and λb, as:
s″λa(t)≈ε5,λac5x5,6(t)+ε6,λac6x5,6(t); and (70)
s″λb(t)≈ε5,λbc5x5,6(t)+ε6,λbc6x5,6(t). (71)
Equations (70) and (71) are equivalent to two equations having three unknowns, namely c5(t), c6(t) and x5,6(t). The saturation can be determined by acquiring approximations to the primary or secondary signal portions at two different, yet proximate times t1 and t2 over which the saturation of A5 in the volume containing A5 and A6 and the saturation of A3 in the volume containing A3 and A4 does not change substantially. For example, for the primary signals estimated at times t1 and t2:
s″λa(t1)≈ε5,λac5x5,6(t1)+ε6,λac6x5,6(t1) (72)
s″λb(t1)≈ε5,λbc5x5,6(t1)+ε6,λbc6x5,6(t1) (73)
s″λa(t2)≈ε5,λac5x5,6(t2)+ε6,λac6x5,6(t2) (74)
s″λb(t2)≈ε5,λbc5x5,6(t2)+ε6,λbc6x5,6(t2) (75)
Then, difference signals may be determined which relate the signals of equations (72) through (75), i.e.:
Δsλa=s″λa(t1)−s″λa(t2)≈ε5,λac5Δx+ε6,λac6Δx; and (76)
Δsλb=s″λb(t1)−s″λb(t2)≈ε5,λbc5Δx+ε6,λbc6Δx; (77)
where Δx=x5,6(t1)−x5,6(t2). The average saturation at time t=(t1+t2)/2 is:
It will be understood that the Δx term drops out from the saturation calculation because of the division. Thus, knowledge of the thickness of the primary constituents is not required to calculate saturation.
A specific example of a physiological monitor utilizing a processor of the present invention to determine a secondary reference n′(t) for input to a correlation canceler that removes erratic motion-induced secondary signal portions is a pulse oximeter. Pulse oximetry may also be performed utilizing a processor of the present invention to determine a primary signal reference s′(t) which may be used for display purposes or for input to a correlation canceler to derive information about patient movement and venous blood oxygen saturation.
A pulse oximeter typically causes energy to propagate through a medium where blood flows close to the surface for example, an ear lobe, or a digit such as a finger, a forehead or a fetus' scalp. An attenuated signal is measured after propagation through or reflected from the medium. The pulse oximeter estimates the saturation of oxygenated blood.
Freshly oxygenated blood is pumped at high pressure from the heart into the arteries for use by the body. The volume of blood in the arteries varies with the heartbeat, giving rise to a variation in absorption of energy at the rate of the heartbeat, or the pulse.
Oxygen depleted, or deoxygenated, blood is returned to the heart by the veins along with unused oxygenated blood. The volume of blood in the veins varies with the rate of breathing, which is typically much slower than the heartbeat. Thus, when there is no motion induced variation in the thickness of the veins, venous blood causes a low frequency variation in absorption of energy. When there is motion induced variation in the thickness of the veins, the low frequency variation in absorption is coupled with the erratic variation in absorption due to motion artifact.
In absorption measurements using the transmission of energy through a medium, two light emitting diodes (LED's) are positioned on one side of a portion of the body where blood flows close to the surface, such as a finger, and a photodetector is positioned on the opposite side of the finger. Typically, in pulse oximetry measurements, one LED emits a visible wavelength, preferably red, and the other LED emits an infrared wavelength. However, one skilled in the art will realize that other wavelength combinations could be used. The finger comprises skin, tissue, muscle, both arterial blood and venous blood, fat, etc., each of which absorbs light energy differently due to different absorption coefficients, different concentrations, different thicknesses, and changing optical pathlengths. When the patient is not moving, absorption is substantially constant except for the flow of blood. The constant attenuation can be determined and subtracted from the signal via traditional filtering techniques. When the patient moves, this causes perturbation such as changing optical pathlength due to movement of background fluids (e.g., venous blood having a different saturation than the arterial blood). Therefore, the measured signal becomes erratic. Erratic motion induced noise typically cannot be predetermined and/or subtracted from the measured signal via traditional filtering techniques, Thus, determining the oxygen saturation of arterial blood and venous blood becomes more difficult.
A schematic of a physiological monitor for pulse oximetry is shown in
The front end analog signal conditioning circuitry 330 has outputs coupled to analog to digital conversion circuit 332. The analog to digital conversion circuitry 332 has outputs coupled to a digital signal processing system 334. The digital signal processing system 334 provides the desired parameters as outputs for a display 336. Outputs for display are, for example, blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, and a clean plethysmographic waveform.
The signal processing system also provides an emitter current control output 337 to a digital-to-analog converter circuit 338 which provides control information for light emitter drivers 340. The light emitter drivers 340 couple to the light emitters 301, 302. The digital signal processing system 334 also provides a gain control output 342 for the front end analog signal conditioning circuitry 330.
a illustrates a preferred embodiment for the combination of the emitter drivers 340 and the digital to analog conversion circuit 338. As depicted in
The preferred driver depicted in
The voltage reference is also chosen as a low noise DC voltage reference for the digital to analog conversion circuit 325. In addition, in the present embodiment, the voltage reference has an lowpass output filter with a very low corner frequency (e.g., 1 Hz in the present embodiment). The digital to analog converter 325 also has a lowpass filter at its output with a very low corner frequency (e.g., 1 Hz). The digital to analog converter provides signals for each of the emitters 301, 302.
In the present embodiment, the output of the voltage to current converters 328, 329 are switched such that with the emitters 301, 302 connected in back-to-back configuration, only one emitter is active an any given time. In addition, the voltage to current converter for the inactive emitter is switched off at its input as well, such that it is completely deactivated. This reduces noise from the switching and voltage to current conversion circuitry. In the present embodiment, low noise voltage to current converters are selected (e.g., Op 27 Op Amps), and the feedback loop is configured to have a low pass filter to reduce noise. In the present embodiment, the low pass filtering function of the voltage to current converter 328, 329 has a corner frequency of just above 625 Hz, which is the switching speed for the emitters, as further discussed below. Accordingly, the preferred driver circuit of
In general, the red and infrared light emitters 301, 302 each emits energy which is absorbed by the finger 310 and received by the photodetector 320. The photodetector 320 produces an electrical signal which corresponds to the intensity of the light energy striking the photodetector 320. The front end analog signal conditioning circuitry 330 receives the intensity signals and filters and conditions these signals as further described below for further processing. The resultant signals are provided to the analog-to-digital conversion circuitry 332 which converts the analog signals to digital signals for further processing by the digital signal processing system 334. The digital signal processing system 334 utilizes the two signals in order to provide a what will be called herein a “saturation transform.” It should be understood, that for parameters other than blood saturation monitoring, the saturation transform could be better termed as a concentration transform, in-vivo transform, or the like, depending on the desired parameter. The term saturation transform is used to describe an operation which converts the sample data from time domain to saturation domain values as will be apparent from the discussion below. In the present embodiment, the output of the digital signal processing system 334 provides clean plethysmographic waveforms of the detected signals and provides values for oxygen saturation and pulse rate to the display 336.
It should be understood that in different embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the outputs may be provided. The digital signal processing system 334 also provides control for driving the light emitters 301, 302 with an emitter current control signal on the emitter current control output 337. This value is a digital value which is converted by the digital-to-analog conversion circuit 338 which provides a control signal to the emitter current drivers 340. The emitter current drivers 340 provide the appropriate current drive for the red emitter 301 and the infrared emitter 302. Further detail of the operation of the physiological monitor for pulse oximetry is explained below.
In the present embodiment, the light emitters are driven via the emitter current driver 340 to provide light transmission with digital modulation at 625 Hz. In the present embodiment, the light emitters 301, 302 are driven at a power level which provides an acceptable intensity for detection by the detector and for conditioning by the front end analog signal conditioning circuitry 330. Once this energy level is determined for a given patient by the digital signal processing system 334, the current level for the red and infrared emitters is maintained constant. It should be understood, however, that the current could be adjusted for changes in the ambient room light and other changes which would effect the voltage input to the front end analog signal conditioning circuitry 330. In the present invention, the red and infrared light emitters are modulated as follows: for one complete 625 Hz red cycle, the red emitter 301 is activated for the first quarter cycle, and off for the remaining three-quarters cycle; for one complete 625 Hz infrared cycle, the infrared light emitter 302 is activated for one quarter cycle and is off for the remaining three-quarters cycle. In order to only receive one signal at a time, the emitters are cycled on and off alternatively, in sequence, with each only active for a quarter cycle per 625 Hz cycle and a quarter cycle separating the active times.
The light signal is attenuated (amplitude modulated) by the pumping of blood through the finger 310 (or other sample medium). The attenuated (amplitude modulated) signal is detected by the photodetector 320 at the 625 Hz carrier frequency for the red and infrared light. Because only a single photodetector is used, the photodetector 320 receives both the red and infrared signals to form a composite time division signal.
The composite time division signal is provided to the front analog signal conditioning circuitry 330. Additional detail regarding the front end analog signal conditioning circuitry 330 and the analog to digital converter circuit 332 is illustrated in
In the present embodiment, the preamplifier 342 comprises an Analog Devices AD743JR OpAmp. This transimpedance amplifier is particularly advantageous in that it exhibits several desired features for the system described, such as: low equivalent input voltage noise, low equivalent input current noise, low input bias current, high gain bandwidth product, low total harmonic distortion, high common mode rejection, high open loop gain, and a high power supply rejection ratio.
The output of the preamplifier 342 couples as an input to the high pass filter 344. The output of the preamplifier also provides a first input 346 to the analog to digital conversion circuit 332. In the present embodiment, the high pass filter is a single-pole filter with a corner frequency of about ½-1 Hz. However, the corner frequency is readily raised to about 90 Hz in one embodiment. As will be understood, the 625 Hz carrier frequency of the red and infrared signals is well above a 90 Hz corner frequency. The high-pass filter 344 has an output coupled as an input to an amplifier 346. In the present embodiment, the amplifier 346 comprises a unity gain amplifier. However, the gain of the amplifier 346 is adjustable by the variation of a single resistor. The gain of the amplifier 346 would be increased if the gain of the preamplifier 342 is decreased to compensate for the effects of ambient light.
The output of the amplifier 346 provides an input to a programmable gain amplifier 348. The programmable gain amplifier 348 also accepts a programming input from the digital signal processing system 334 on a gain control signal line 343. The gain of the programmable gain amplifier 348 is digitally programmable. The gain is adjusted dynamically at initialization or sensor placement for changes in the medium under test from patient to patient. For example, the signal from different fingers differs somewhat. Therefore, a dynamically adjustable amplifier is provided by the programmable gain amplifier 348 in order to obtain a signal suitable for processing.
The programmable gain amplifier is also advantageous in an alternative embodiment in which the emitter drive current is held constant. In the present embodiment, the emitter drive current is adjusted for each patient in order to obtain the proper dynamic range at the input of the analog to digital conversion circuit 332. However, changing the emitter drive current can alter the emitter wavelength, which in turn affects the end result in oximetry calculations. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to fix the emitter drive current for all patients. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the programmable gain amplifier can be adjusted by the DSP in order to obtain a signal at the input to the analog to digital conversion circuit which is properly within the dynamic range (+3v to −3v in the present embodiment) of the analog to digital conversion circuit 332. In this manner, the emitter drive current could be fixed for all patients, eliminating the wavelength shift due to emitter current drive changes.
The output of the programmable gain amplifier 348 couples as an input to a low-pass filter 350. Advantageously, the low pass filter 350 is a single-pole filter with a corner frequency of approximately 10 Khz in the present embodiment. This low pass filter provides anti-aliasing in the present embodiment.
The output of the low-pass filter 350 provides a second input 352 to the analog-to-digital conversion circuit 332.
In one advantageous embodiment, the first analog-to-digital converter 354 is a diagnostic analog-to-digital converter. The diagnostic task (performed by the digital signal processing system) is to read the output of the detector as amplified by the preamplifier 342 in order to determine if the signal is saturating the input to the high-pass filter 344. In the present embodiment, if the input to the high pass filter 344 becomes saturated, the front end analog signal conditioning circuits 330 provides a ‘0’ output. Alternatively, the first analog-to-digital converter 354 remains unused.
The second analog-to-digital converter 352 accepts the conditioned composite analog signal from the front end signal conditioning circuitry 330 and converts the signal to digital form. In the present embodiment, the second analog to digital converter 356 comprises a single-channel, delta-sigma converter. In the present embodiment, a Crystal Semiconductor CS5317-KS delta-sigma analog to digital converter is used. Such a converter is advantageous in that it is low cost, and exhibits low noise characteristics. More specifically, a delta-sigma converter consists of two major portions, a noise modulator and a decimation filter. The selected converter uses a second order analog delta-sigma modulator to provide noise shaping. Noise shaping refers to changing the noise spectrum from a flat response to a response where noise at the lower frequencies has been reduced by increasing noise at higher frequencies. The decimation filter then cuts out the reshaped, higher frequency noise to provide 16-bit performance at a lower frequency. The present converter samples the data 128 times for every 16 bit data word that it produces. In this manner, the converter provides excellent noise rejection, dynamic range and low harmonic distortion, that help in critical measurement situations like low perfusion and electrocautery.
In addition, by using a single-channel converter, there is no need to tune two or more channels to each other. The delta-sigma converter is also advantageous in that it exhibits noise shaping, for improved noise control. An exemplary analog to digital converter is a Crystal Semiconductor CS5317. In the present embodiment, the second analog to digital converter 356 samples the signal at a 20 Khz sample rate. The output of the second analog to digital converter 356 provides data samples at 20 Khz to the digital signal processing system 334 (
The digital signal processing system 334 is illustrated in additional detail in
The microcontroller 360 is connected to the DSP 362 via a conventional JTAG Tap line. The microcontroller 360 transmits the boot loader for the DSP 362 to the program memory 364 via the Tap line, and then allows the DSP 362 to boot from the program memory 364. The boot loader in program memory 364 then causes the transfer of the operating instructions for the DSP 362 from the read only memory 370 to the program memory 364. Advantageously, the program memory 364 is a very high speed memory for the DSP 362.
The microcontroller 360 provides the emitter current control and gain control signals via the communications register 372.
In general, the demodulation operation separates the red and infrared signals from the composite signal and removes the 625 Hz carrier frequency, leaving raw data points. The raw data points are provided at 625 Hz intervals to the decimation operation which reduces the samples by an order of 10 to samples at 62.5 Hz. The decimation operation also provides some filtering on the samples. The resulting data is subjected to statistics and to the saturation transform operations in order to calculate a saturation value which is very tolerant to motion artifacts and other noise in the signal. The saturation value is ascertained in the saturation calculation module 408, and a pulse rate and a clean plethysmographic waveform is obtained through the pulse rate module 410. Additional detail regarding the various operations is provided in connection with
Because the signal processing system 334 controls the activation of the light emitters 300, 302, the entire system is synchronous. The data is synchronously divided (and thereby demodulated) into four 8-sample packets, with a time division demultiplexing operation as represented in a demultiplexing module 421. One eight-sample packet 422 represents the red plus ambient light signal; a second eight-sample packet 424 represents an ambient light signal; a third eight-sample packet 426 represents the attenuated infrared light plus ambient light signal; and a fourth eight-sample packet 428 represents the ambient light signal. A select signal synchronously controls the demultiplexing operation so as to divide the time-division multiplexed composite signal at the input of the demultiplexer 421 into its four subparts.
A sum of the last four samples from each packet is then calculated, as represented in the summing operations 430, 432, 434, 436 of
It should be understood that the 625 Hz carrier frequency has been removed by the demodulation operation 400. The 625 Hz sample data at the output of the demodulation operation 400 is sample data without the carrier frequency. In order to satisfy Nyquist sampling requirements, less than 20 Hz is needed (understanding that the human pulse is about 25 to 250 beats per minute, or about 0.4 Hz-4 Hz). Accordingly, the 625 Hz resolution is reduced to 62.5 Hz in the decimation operation.
As represented in
Once the DC signal is removed, the signals are subjected to bandpass filtering, as represented in red and infrared Bandpass Filter modules 488, 490. In the present embodiment, with 570 samples in each packet, the bandpass filters are configured with 301 taps to provide a FIR filter with a linear phase response and little or no distortion. In the present embodiment, the bandpass filter has a pass band from 34 beats/minute to 250 beats/minute. The 301 taps slide over the 570 samples in order to obtain 270 filtered samples representing the filtered red signal and 270 filtered samples representing the filtered infrared signal. In an ideal case, the bandpass filters 488, 490 remove the DC in the signal. However, the DC removal operations 484, 486 assist in DC removal in the present embodiment.
After filtering, the last 120 samples from each packet (of now 270 samples in the present embodiment) are selected for further processing as represented in Select Last 120 Samples modules 492, 494. The last 120 samples are selected because, in the present embodiment, the first 150 samples fall within the settling time for the Saturation Transfer module 406, which processes the same data packets, as further discussed below.
Conventional saturation equation calculations are performed on the red and infrared 120-sample packets. In the present embodiment, the conventional saturation calculations are performed in two different ways. For one calculation, the 120-sample packets are processed to obtain their overall RMS value, as represented in the first red and infrared RMS modules 496, 498. The resultant RMS values for red and infrared signals provide input values to a first RED_RMS/IR_RMS ratio operation 500, which provides the RMS red value to RMS infrared value ratio as an input to a saturation equation module 502. As well understood in the art, the ratio of the intensity of red to infrared attenuated light as detected for known red and infrared wavelengths (typically λred=650 nm and λIR=910 nm) relates to the oxygen saturation of the patient. Accordingly, the saturation equation module 502 represents a conventional look-up table or the like which, for predetermined ratios, provides known saturation values at its output 504. The red and infrared RMS values are also provided as outputs of the statistics operations module 404.
In addition to the conventional saturation operation 502, the 120-sample packets are subjected to a cross-correlation operation as represented in a first cross-correlation module 506. The first cross-correlation module 506 determines if good correlation exists between the infrared and red signals. This cross correlation is advantageous for detecting defective or otherwise malfunctioning detectors. The cross correlation is also advantageous in detecting when the signal model (i.e., the model of Equations (1)-(3)) is satisfied. If correlation becomes too low between the two channels, the signal model is not met. In order to determine this, the normalized cross correlation can be computed by the cross-correlation module 506 for each snapshot of data. One such correlation function is as follows:
If the cross correlation is too low, the oximeter 299 provides a warning (e.g., audible, visual, etc.) to the operator. In the present embodiment, if a selected snapshot yields a normalized correlation of less than 0.75, the snapshot does not qualify. Signals which satisfy the signal model will have a correlation greater than the threshold.
The red and infrared 120-sample packets are also subjected to a second saturation operation and cross correlation in the same manner as described above, except the 120 samples are divided into 5 equal bins of samples (i.e., 5 bins of 24 samples each). The RMS, ratio, saturation, and cross correlation operations are performed in a bin-by-bin basis. These operations are represented in the Divide Into Five Equal Bins modules 510, 512, the second red and infrared RMS modules 514, 516, the second RED-RMS/IR-RMS ratio module 518, the second saturation equation module 520 and the second cross correlation module 522 in
As depicted in
It should be understood that the scan values could be chosen to provide higher or lower resolution than 117 scan values. The scan values could also be non-uniformly spaced.
As illustrated in
The ratio “rn” is provided as an input to the reference generator 534, as are the red and infrared sample packets. The reference generator 534 multiplies either the red or infrared samples by the ratio “rn” and subtracts the value from the infrared or red samples, respectively. For instance, in the present embodiment, the reference generator 534 multiplies the red samples by the ratio “rn” and subtracts this value from the infrared samples. The resulting values become the output of the reference generator 534. This operation is completed for each of the saturation scan values (e.g., 117 possible values in the present embodiment). Accordingly, the resultant data can be described as 117 reference signal vectors of 570 data points each, hereinafter referred to as the reference signal vectors. This data can be stored in an array or the like.
In other words, assuming that the red and infrared sample packets represent the red Sred(t) and infrared SIR(t) measured signals which have primary s(t) and secondary n(t) signal portions, the output of the reference generator becomes the secondary reference signal n′(t), which complies with the signal model defined above, as follows:
n′(t)=Sir(t)−rnSred(t)
In the present embodiment, the reference signal vectors and the infrared signal are provided as input to the DC removal module 536 of the reference processor 530. The DC removal module 536, like the DC removal modules 484, 486 in the statistics module 404, ascertains the DC value of the first of the samples for the respective inputs (or mean of the first several or all samples in a packet) and subtracts the respective DC baseline from the sample values. The resulting sample values are subjected to a bandpass filter 538.
The bandpass filter 538 of the reference processor 530 performs the same type of filtering as the bandpass filters 488, 490 of the statistics module 404. Accordingly, each set of 570 samples subjected to bandpass filtering results in 270 remaining samples. The resulting data at a first output 542 of the bandpass filter 538 is one vector of 270 samples (representing the filtered infrared signal in the present embodiment). The resulting data at a second output 540 of the bandpass filter 538, therefore, is 117 reference signal vectors of 270 data points each, corresponding to each of the saturation axis scan values provided to the saturation reference processor 530.
It should be understood that the red and infrared sample packets may be switched in their use in the reference processor 530. In addition, it should be understood that the DC removal module 536 and the bandpass filter module 538 can be executed prior to input of the data to the reference processor 530 because the calculations performed in the reference processor are linear. This results in a significant processing economy.
The outputs of the reference processor 530 provide first and second inputs to a joint process estimator 550 of the type described above with reference to
The joint process estimator also receives a lambda input 543, a minimum error input 544 and a number of cells configuration input 545. These parameters are well understood in the art. The lambda parameter is often called the “forgetting parameter” for a joint process estimator. The lambda input 543 provides control for the rate of cancellation for the joint process estimator. In the present embodiment, lambda is set to a low value such as 0.8. Because statistics of the signal are non-stationary, a low value improves tracking. The minimum error input 544 provides an initialization parameter (conventionally known as the “initialization value”) for the joint process estimator 550. In the present embodiment, the minimum error value is 10−6. This initialization parameter prevents the joint process estimator 500 from dividing by zero upon initial calculations. The number of cells input 545 to the joint process estimator 550 configures the number of cells for the joint process estimator. In the present embodiment, the number of cells for the saturation transform operation 406 is six. As well understood in the art, for each sine wave, the joint process estimator requires two cells. If there are two sine waves in the 35-250 beats/minute range, six cells allows for the two heart beat sine waves and one noise sine wave.
The joint process estimator 550 subjects the first input vector on the first input 542 to a correlation cancellation based upon each of the plurality of reference signal vectors provided in the second input 540 to the correlation canceler 531 (all 117 reference vectors in sequence in the present embodiment). The correlation cancellation results in a single output vector for each of the 117 reference vectors. Each output vector represents the information that the first input vector and the corresponding reference signal vector do not have in common. The resulting output vectors are provided as an output to the joint process estimator, and subjected to the low pass filter module 552. In the present embodiment, the low pass filter 552 comprises a FIR filter with 25 taps and with a corner frequency of 10 Hz with the sampling frequency of 62.5 Hz (i.e., at the decimation frequency).
The joint process estimator 550 of the present embodiment has a settling time of 150 data points. Therefore, the last 120 data points from each 270 point output vector are used for further processing. In the present embodiment, the output vectors are further processed together as a whole, and are divided into a plurality of bins of equal number of data points. As depicted in
The Master Power Curve module 554 performs a saturation transform as follows: for each output vector, the sum of the squares of the data points is ascertained. This provides a sum of squares value corresponding to each output vector (each output vector corresponding to one of the saturation scan values). These values provide the basis for a master power curve 555, as further represented in
A corresponding transform is completed by the Bin Power Curves module 558, except a saturation transform power curve is generated for each bin. The resulting power curves are provided as the outputs of the saturation transform module 406.
In general, in accordance with the signal model of the present invention, there will be two peaks in the power curves, as depicted in
In order to obtain arterial oxygen saturation, the peak in the power curves corresponding to the highest saturation value could be selected. However, to improve confidence in the value, further processing is completed.
The saturation calculation module 408 first determines a plurality of bin attributes as represented by the Compute Bin Attributes module 560. The Compute Bin Attributes module 560 collects a data bin from the information from the bin power curves and the information from the bin statistics. In the present embodiment, this operation involves placing the saturation value of the peak from each power curve corresponding to the highest saturation value in the data bin. In the present embodiment, the selection of the highest peak is performed by first computing the first derivative of the power curve in question by convolving the power curve with a smoothing differentiator filter function. In the present embodiment, the smoothing differentiator filter function (using a FIR filter) has the following coefficients:
The peak width for these selected peaks is also calculated. The peak width of a power curve in question is computed by summing all the points in the power curve and subtracting the product of the minimum value in the power curve and the number of points in the power curve. In the present embodiment, the peak width calculation is applied to each of the bin power curves. The maximum value is selected as the peak width.
In addition, the infrared RMS value from the entire snapshot, the red RMS value, the seed saturation value for each bin, and the cross correlation between the red and infrared signals from the statistics module 404 are also placed in the data bin. The attributes are then used to determine whether the data bin consists of acceptable data, as represented in a Bin Qualifying Logic module 562.
If the correlation between the red and infrared signals is too low, the bin is discarded. If the saturation value of the selected peak for a given bin is lower than the seed saturation for the same bin, the peak is replaced with the seed saturation value. If either red or infrared RMS value is below a very small threshold, the bins are all discarded, and no saturation value is provided, because the measured signals are considered to be too small to obtain meaningful data. If no bins contain acceptable data, the exception handling module 563 provides a message to the display 336 that the data is erroneous.
If some bins qualify, those bins that qualify as having acceptable data are selected, and those that do not qualify are replaced with the average of the bins that are accepted. Each bin is given a time stamp in order to maintain the time sequence. A voter operation 565 examines each of the bins and selects the three highest saturation values. These values are forwarded to a clip and smooth operation 566.
The clip and smooth operation 566 basically performs averaging with a low pass filter. The low pass filter provides adjustable smoothing as selected by a Select Smoothing Filter module 568. The Select Smoothing Filter module 568 performs its operation based upon a confidence determination performed by a High Confidence Test module 570. The high confidence test is an examination of the peak width for the bin power curves. The width of the peaks provides some indication of motion by the patient—wider peaks indicating motion. Therefore, if the peaks are wide, the smoothing filter is slowed down. If peaks are narrow, the smoothing filter speed is increased. Accordingly, the smoothing filter 566 is adjusted based on the confidence level. The output of the clip and smooth module 566 provides the oxygen saturation values in accordance with the present invention.
In the presently preferred embodiment, the clip and smooth filter 566 takes each new saturation value and compares it to the current saturation value. If the magnitude of the difference is less than 16 (percent oxygen saturation) then the value is pass. Otherwise, if the new saturation value is less than the filtered saturation value, the new saturation value is changed to 16 less than the filtered saturation value. If the new saturation value is greater than the filtered saturation value, then the new saturation value is changed to 16 more than the filtered saturation value.
During high confidence (no motion), the smoothing filter is a simple one-pole or exponential smoothing filter which is computed as follows:
y(n)=0.6*x(n)+0.4*y(n−1)
where x(n) is the clipped new saturation value, and y(n) is the filtered saturation value.
During motion condition, a three-pole IIR (infinite impulse response) filter is used. Its characteristics are controlled by three time constants ta, tb, and tc with values of 0.985, 0.900, and 0.94 respectively. The coefficients for a direct form I, IIR filter are computed from these time constants using the following relationships:
a0=0
a1=tb+(tc)(ta+tb)
a2=(−tb)(tc)(ta+tb+(tc)(ta))
a3=(tb)2(tc)2(ta)
b0=1−bb−(tc)(ta+(tc)(tb))
b1=2(tb)(tc)(ta−1)
b2=(tb)(tc)(tb+(tc)(ta)−(tb)(tc)(ta)−ta)
As further depicted in
The average peak width value provides an input to a motion status module 584. In the present embodiment, if the peaks are wide, this is taken as an indication of motion. If motion is not detected, spectral estimation on the signals is carried out directly without motion artifact suppression.
In the case of motion, motion artifacts are suppressed using the motion artifact suppression module 580. The motion artifact suppression module 580 is nearly identical to the saturation transform module 406. The motion artifact suppression module 580 provides an output which connects as an input to the second spectral estimation module 588. The first and second spectral estimation modules 586, 588 have outputs which provide inputs to the spectrum analysis module 590. The spectrum analysis module 590 also receives an input which is the output of the motion status module 584. The output of the spectrum analysis module 590 is the initial heart rate determination of the heart rate module 410 and is provided as input to the slew rate limiting module 592. The slew rate limiting module 592 connects to the output filter 594. The output filter 594 also receives an input from the output filter coefficient module 596. The output filter 594 provides the filtered heart rate for the display 336 (
In the case of no motion, one of the signals (the infrared signal in the present embodiment) is subjected to DC removal and bandpass filtering as represented in the DC removal and bandpass filter module 578. The DC removal and bandpass filter module 578 provide the same filtering as the DC removal and bandpass filter modules 536, 538. During no motion conditions, the filtered infrared signal is provided to the first spectral estimation module 586.
In the present embodiment, the spectral estimation comprises a Chirp Z transform that provides a frequency spectrum of heart rate information. The Chirp Z transform is used rather than a conventional Fourier Transform because a frequency range for the desired output can be designated in a Chirp Z transform. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, a frequency spectrum of the heart rate is provided between 30 and 250 beats/minute. In the present embodiment, the frequency spectrum is provided to a spectrum analysis module 590 which selects the first harmonic from the spectrum as the pulse rate. Usually, the first harmonic is the peak in the frequency spectrum that has the greatest magnitude and represents the pulse rate. However, in certain conditions, the second or third harmonic can exhibit the greater magnitude. With this understanding, in order to select the first harmonic, the first peak that has an amplitude of at least 1/20th of the largest peak in the spectrum is selected). This minimizes the possibility of selecting as the heart rate a peak in the Chirp Z transform caused by noise.
In the case of motion, a motion artifact suppression is completed on the snapshot with the motion artifact suppression module 580. The motion artifact suppression module 580 is depicted in greater detail in
The motion artifact reference processor 570 is the same as the reference processor 530 of the saturation transform module 406. However, the reference processor 570 utilizes the saturation value from the saturation module 408, rather than completing an entire saturation transform with the 117 saturation scan values. The reference processor 570, therefore, has a saturation equation module 581, a reference generator 582, a DC removal module 583, and a bandpass filter module 585. These modules are the same as corresponding modules in the saturation transform reference processor 530. In the present embodiment, the saturation equation module 581 receives the arterial saturation value from the saturation calculation module 408 rather than doing a saturation axis scan as in the saturation transform module 406. This is because the arterial saturation has been selected, and there is no need to perform an axis scan. Accordingly, the output of the saturation equation module 581 corresponds to the proportionality constant ra (i.e., the expected red to infrared ratio for the arterial saturation value). Otherwise, the reference processor 570 performs the same function as the reference processor 530 of the saturation transform module 406.
The motion artifact correlation canceler 571 is also similar to the saturation transform correlation canceler 531 (
Because only one saturation value is provided to the reference processor, only one output vector of 270 samples results at the output of the motion artifact suppression correlation canceler 571 for each input packet of 570 samples. In the present embodiment, where the infrared wavelength is provided as a first input to the correlation canceler, the output of the correlation canceler 571 provides a clean infrared waveform. It should be understood that, as described above, the infrared and red wavelength signals could be switched such that a clean red waveform is provided at the output of the motion artifact suppression correlation canceler 571. The output of the correlation canceler 571 is a clean waveform because the actual saturation value of the patient is known which allows the reference processor 570 to generate a noise reference for inputting to the correlation canceler 571 as the reference signal. The clean waveform at the output of the motion artifact suppression module 580 is a clean plethysmograph waveform which can be forwarded to the display 336.
As described above, an alternative joint process estimator uses the QRD least squares lattice approach (
a depicts an alternative embodiment of the motion artifact suppression module with a joint process estimator 572a replacing the joint process estimator 572. The joint process estimator 572a comprises a QRD least squares lattice system as in
The initialization parameters are referenced in
The clean waveform output from the motion artifact suppression module 580 also provides an input to the second spectral estimation module 588. The second spectral estimation module 588 performs the same Chirp Z transform as the first spectral estimation module 586. In the case of no motion, the output from the first spectral estimation module 586 is provided to the spectrum analysis module 586; in the case of motion, the output from the second spectral estimation module 588 is provided to a spectrum analysis module 590. The spectrum analysis module 590 examines the frequency spectrum from the appropriate spectral estimation module to determine the pulse rate. In the case of motion, the spectrum analysis module 590 selects the peak in the spectrum with the highest amplitude, because the motion artifact suppression module 580 attenuates all other frequencies to a value below the actual heart rate peak. In the case of no motion, the spectrum analysis module selects the first harmonic in the spectrum as the heart rate as described above.
The output of the spectrum analysis module 590 provides the raw heart rate as an input to the slew rate limiting module 592, which provides an input to an output filter 594. In the present embodiment, the slew rate limiting module 592 prevents changes greater than 20 beats/minute per 2 second interval.
The output filter 594 comprises an exponential smoothing filter similar to the exponential smoothing filter described above with respect to the clip and smooth filter 566. The output filter is controlled via an output filter coefficient module 596. If motion is large, this filter is slowed down, if there is little or no motion, this filter can sample much faster and still maintain a clean value. The output from the output filter 594 is the pulse of the patient, which is advantageously provided to the display 336.
Alternative to Saturation Transform Module—Bank of Filters
An alternative to the saturation transform of the saturation transform module 406 can be implemented with a bank of filters as depicted in
There are N filter elements in each filter bank. Each of the filter elements in the first filter bank 600 have a matching (i.e., same center frequency and bandwidth) filter element in the second filter bank 602. The center frequencies and the corner frequencies of N elements are each designed to occupy N frequency ranges, 0 to F1, F1-F2, F2-F3, F3-F4 . . . FN−1-FN as shown in
It should be understood that the number of filter elements can range from 1 to infinity. However, in the present embodiment, there are approximately 120 separate filter elements with center frequencies spread evenly across a frequency range of 25 beats/minute-250 beats/minute.
The outputs of the filters contain information about the primary and secondary signals for the first and second measured signals (red and infrared in the present example) at the specified frequencies. The outputs for each pair of matching filters (one in the first filter bank 600 and one in the second filter bank 602) are provided to saturation determination modules 610.
The ratio module 616 forms a ratio of the second output to the first output. For instance, in the present example, a ratio of each red RMS value to each corresponding infrared RMS value (Red/IR) is completed in the ratio module 616. The output of the ratio module 616 provides an input to the saturation equation module 618 which references a corresponding saturation value for the input ratio.
The output of the saturation equation modules 618 are collected (as represented in the histogram module 620) for each of the matched filter pairs. However, the data collected is initially a function of frequency and saturation. In order to form a saturation transform curve similar to the curve depicted in
The results of the histogram provide a power curve similar to the power curve of
It should be understood that as an alternative to the histogram, the output saturation (not necessarily a peak in the histogram) corresponding to the highest saturation value could be selected as the arterial saturation with the corresponding ratio representing ra. Similarly, the output saturation corresponding to the lowest saturation value could be selected as the venous or background saturation with the corresponding ratio representing rv. For example, in this embodiment, the entry ‘a’ in the histogram of
As explained above, in accordance with the present invention, primary and secondary signal portions, particularly for pulse oximetry, can be modeled as follows:
Sred=s1+n1 (red) (89)
SIR=s2+n2 (infrared) (90)
s1=ras2 and n1=rvn2 (91)
Substituting Equation (91) into Equation (89) provides the following:
Sred=ras2+rvn2 (red) (92)
Note that Sred and SIR are used in the model of equations (89)-(92). This is because the discussion below is particularly directed to blood oximetry. Sred and SIR correspond to S1 and S2 in the preceding text, and the discussion that follows could be generalized for any measure signal S1 and S2.
As explained above, determining ra and rv (which correspond to arterial and venous blood oxygen saturation via a saturation equation) can be accomplished using the saturation transform described above doing a scan of many possible coefficients. Another method to obtain ra and rv based on red and infrared data is to look for ra and rv which minimize the correlation between sk and nk, assuming sk is at least somewhat (and preferably substantially) uncorrelated with nk (where k=1 or 2). These values can be found by minimizing the following statistical calculation function for k=2:
where i represents time.
It should be understood that other correlation functions such as a normalized correlation could also be used.
Minimizing this quantity often provides a unique pair of ra and rv if the noise component is uncorrelated to the desired signal component. Minimizing this quantity can be accomplished by solving Equations (90) and (92) for s2 and n2, and finding the minimum of the correlation for possible values of ra and rv. Solving for s2 and n2 provides the following:
inverting the two-by-two matrix provides:
Thus,
Preferably, the correlation of equation (93) is enhanced with a user specified window function as follows:
The Blackman Window is the presently preferred embodiment. It should be understood that there are many additional functions which minimize the correlation between signal and noise. The function above is simply one. Thus,
In order to implement the minimization on a plurality of discrete data points, the sum of the squares of the red sample points, the sum of the squares of the infrared sample points, and the sum of the product of the red times the infrared sample points are first calculated (including the window function, wi):
These values are used in the correlation equation (93b). Thus, the correlation equation becomes an equation in terms of two variables, ra and rv. To obtain ra and rv, an exhaustive scan is executed for a good cross-section of possible values for ra and rv (e.g., 20-50 values each corresponding to saturation values ranging from 30-105). The minimum of the correlation function is then selected and the values of ra and rv which resulted in the minimum are chosen as ra and rv.
Once ra and rv have been obtained, arterial oxygen saturation and venous oxygen saturation can be determined by provided ra and rv to a saturation equation, such as the saturation equation 502 of the statistics module 404 which provides an oxygen saturation value corresponding to the ratios ra and rv.
In a further implementation to obtain ra and rv, the same signal model set forth above is again used. In order to determine ra and rv in accordance with this implementation, the energy in the signal s2 is maximized under the constraint that s2 is uncorrelated with n2. Again, this implementation is based upon minimizing the correlation between s and n and on the signal model of the present invention where the signal s relates to the arterial pulse and the signal n is the noise (containing information on the venous blood, as well as motion artifacts and other noise); ra is the ratio (RED/IR) related to arterial saturation and rv is the ratio (RED/IR) related to venous saturation. Accordingly, in this implementation of the present invention, ra and rv are determined such that the energy of the signal s2 is maximized where s2 and n2 are uncorrelated. The energy of the signal s2 is given by the following equation:
where R1 is the energy of the red signal, R2 is the energy of the infrared signal and R1,2 is the correlation between the red and infrared signals.
The correlation between s2 and n2 is given by
As explained above, the constraint is that sk and nk (k=2 for the present example) are uncorrelated. This “decorrelation constraint” is obtained by setting the correlation of Equation (97) to zero as follows:
−R1+(ra+rv) R12−rarvR2=0 (98)
In other words, the goal is to maximize equation (94) under the constraint of equation (98).
In order to obtain the goal, a cost function is defined (e.g., a Lagrangian optimization in the present embodiment) as follows:
where μ is the Lagrange multiplier. Finding the value of ra, rv and μ that solve the cost function can be accomplished using a constrained optimization method such as described in Luenberger, Linear & Nonlinear Programming, Addison-Wesley, 2d Ed., 1984.
Along the same lines, if we assume that the red and infrared signals Sred and SIR are non-static, the functions R1, R2 and R12 defined above are time dependent. Accordingly, with two equations, two unknowns can be obtained by expressing the decorrelation constraint set forth in equation (98) at two different times. The decorrelation constraint can be expressed at two different times, t1 and t2, as follows:
−R1(t1)+(ra+rv)R12(t1)−rarvR2(t1)=0 (100)
−R1(t2)+(ra+rv)R12(t2)−rarvR2(t2)=0 (101)
Because equations (100) and (101) are non-linear in ra and rv, a change of variables allows the use of linear techniques to solve these two equations. Accordingly, with x=ra+rv; y=rarv equations (100) and (101) become
R12(t1)x−R2(t1)y=R1(t1) (102)
R12(t2)x−R2(t2)y=R1(t2) (103)
These equation (102) and (103) can be solved for x and y. Then, solving for ra and rv from the changes of variables equations provides the following:
Solving equation (104) results in two values for rv. In the present embodiment, the rv value that results in x2−rvy>0 is selected. If both values of rv result in x2−rvy>0, the rv that maximizes the energy of s2 (Energy(s2)) at t2 is selected. rv is then substituted into the equations above to obtain ra. Alternatively ra can be found directly in the same manner rv was determined.
Alternative to Saturation Transform—Complex FFT
The blood oxygen saturation, pulse rate and a clean plethysmographic waveform of a patient can also be obtained using the signal model of the present invention using a complex FFT, as explained further with reference to
In this alternative embodiment, the snapshot for red and infrared signals is 562 samples from the decimation module 402. The infrared DC removal module 644 and the red DC removal module 646 are slightly different from the infrared and red DC removal modules 484, 486 of
The high-pass filter modules 645, 647 comprise FIR filters with 51 taps for coefficients. Preferably, the high-pass filters comprise Chebychev filters with a side-lobe level parameter of 30 and a corner frequency of 0.5 Hz (i.e., 30 beats/minute). It will be understood that this filter could be varied for performance. With 562 sample points entering the high-pass filters, and with 51 taps for coefficients, there are 512 samples provided from these respective infrared and red snapshots at the output of the high-pass filter modules. The output of the high-pass filter modules provides an input to the window function modules 648, 650 for each respective channel.
The window function modules 648, 650 perform a conventional windowing function. A Kaiser windowing function is used in the present embodiment. The functions throughout
The complex FFT modules 652, 654 perform complex FFTs on respective infrared and red channels on the data snapshots. The data from the complex FFTs is then analyzed in two paths, once which examines the magnitude and one which examines the phase from the complex FFT data points. However, prior to further processing, the data is provided to respective infrared and red select modules 653, 655 because the output of the FFT operation will provide repetitive information from 0-½ the sampling rate and from ½ the sampling rate to the sampling rate. The select modules select only samples from 0-½ the sampling rate (e.g., 0-31.25 Hz in the present embodiment) and then select from those samples to cover a frequency range of the heart rate and one or more harmonics of the heart rate. In the present embodiment, samples which fall in the frequency range of 20 beats per minute to 500 beats per minute are selected. This value can be varied in order to obtain harmonics of the heart rate as desired. Accordingly, the output of the select modules results in less than 256 samples. In the present embodiment, the sample points 2-68 of the outputs of the FFTs are utilized for further processing.
In the first path of processing, the output from the select modules 653, 655 are provided to respective infrared and red magnitude modules 656, 658. The magnitude modules 656, 658 perform a magnitude function wherein the magnitude on a point-by-point basis of the complex FFT points is selected for each of the respective channels. The outputs of the magnitude modules 656, 658 provide an input to infrared and red threshold modules 660, 662.
The threshold modules 660, 662 examine the sample points, on a point-by-point basis, to select those points where the magnitude of an individual point is above a particular threshold which is set at a percentage of the maximum magnitude detected among all the remaining points in the snapshots. In the present embodiment, the percentage for the threshold operation is selected as 1% of the maximum magnitude.
After thresholding, the data points are forwarded to a point-by-point ratio module 670. The point-by-point ratio module takes the red over infrared ratio of the values on a point-by-point basis. However, a further test is performed to qualify the points for which a ratio is taken. As seen in
The phase difference module 694 calculates the difference in phase between the corresponding data points from the phase modules 690, 692. If the magnitude of the phase difference between any two corresponding points is less than a particular threshold (e.g., 0.1 radians) in the present embodiment), then the sample points qualify. If the phase of two corresponding sample points is too far apart, then the sample points are not used. The output of the phase threshold module 696 provides an enable input to the RED/IR rate module 670. Accordingly, in order for the ratio of a particular pair of sample points to be taken, the three tests are executed:
6. the red sample must pass the red threshold 660;
7. the infrared sample must pass the infrared threshold 662; and
8. the phase between the two points must be less than the predefined threshold as determined in the phase threshold 696.
For those sample points which qualify, a ratio is taken in the ratio module 670. For those points which do not qualify, the saturation is set to zero at the output of the saturation equation 672.
The resulting ratios are provided to a saturation equation module which is the same as the saturation equation modules 502, 520 in the statistics module 504. In other words, the saturation equation module 672 accepts the ratio on a point-by-point basis and provides as an output a corresponding saturation value corresponding to the discrete ratio points. The saturation points output from the saturation equation module 672 provide a series of saturation points which could be plotted as saturation with respect to frequency. The frequency reference was entered into the points at the complex FFT stage.
The arterial (and the venous) saturation can then be selected, as represented in the select arterial saturation module 680, in one of the two methods according to the present invention. According to one method, the arterial saturation value can be selected simply as the point corresponding to the largest saturation value for all points output from the saturation equation module 672 for a packet. Alternatively, a histogram similar to the histogram of
The fast saturation transform information can also be used to provide the pulse rate and the clean plethysmographic wave form as further illustrated in
As depicted in
The window function module performs a windowing function selected to pass those frequencies that significantly correlate to the frequencies which exhibited saturation values very close to the arterial saturation value. In the present embodiment, the following windowing function is selected:
where SATn equals the saturation value corresponding to each particular frequency for the sample points and SATart represents the arterial saturation as chosen at the output of the select arterial saturation module 680. This window function is applied to the window function input representing the complex FFT of either the red or the infrared signal. The output of the window function module 700 is a red or infrared signal represented with a frequency spectrum as determined by the FFT, with motion artifacts removed by the windowing function. It should be understood that many possible window functions can be provided. In addition, with the window function described above, it should be understood that using a higher power will provide more noise suppression.
In order to obtain pulse rate, the output points from the window function module 700 are provided to a spectrum analysis module 702. The spectrum analysis module 702 is the same as the spectrum analysis module 590 of
In order to obtain a clean plethysmographic waveform, the output of the windowing function 700 is applied to an inverse window function module 704. The inverse window function module 704 completes an inverse of the Kaiser window function of the window function module 648 or 650 of
Accordingly, by using a complex FFT and windowing functions, the noise can be suppressed from the plethysmographic waveform in order to obtain the arterial saturation, the pulse rate, and a clean plethysmographic waveform. It should be understood that although the above description relates to operations primarily in the frequency domain, operations that obtain similar results could also be accomplished in the time domain.
Relation to Generalized Equations
The measurements described for pulse oximetry above are now related back to the more generalized discussion above. The signals (logarithm converted) transmitted through the finger 310 at each wavelength λa and λb are:
Sλa(t)=Sλred1(t)=εHbO2,λacAHbO2xA(t)+εHb,λacAHbxA(t)+εHbO2,λacvHbO2xv(t)+εHb,λacvHbxv(t)+nλa(t); (105a)
Sλa(t)=εHbO2,λacAHbO2xA(t)+εHb,λacAHbxA(t)+nλa(t); (105b)
Sλa(t)=sλa(t)+nλa(t); (105c)
Sλb(t)=Sλred2(t)=εHbO2,λbcAHbO2xA(t)+εHb,λbcAHbxA(t)+εHbO2,λbcvHbO2xv(t)+εHb,λbcvHbxv(t)+nλb(t); (106a)
Sλb(t)=εHbO2,λbcAHbO2xA(t)+εHb,λbcAHbxA(t)+nλb(t) (106b)
Sλb(t)=sλb(t)+nλb(t) (106c)
The variables above are best understood as correlated to
The wavelengths chosen are typically one in the visible red range, i.e., λa, and one in the infrared range, i.e., λb. Typical wavelength values chosen are λa=660 nm and λb=910 nm. In accordance with the constant saturation method, it is assumed that cAHbO2(t)/cAHb(t)=constant1 and cvHbO2(t)/cvHb(t)=constant2. The oxygen saturation of arterial and venous blood changes slowly, if at all, with respect to the sample rate, making this a valid assumption. The proportionality coefficients for equations (105) and (106) can then be written as:
s
λa(t)=ra(t)sλb(t) (108a)
nλa(t)≠ra(t)nλb(t) (109a)
nλa(t)=rv(t)nλb(t) (108b)
sλa(t)≠rv(t)sλb(t) (109b)
In pulse oximetry, it is typically the case that both equations (108) and (109) can be satisfied simultaneously.
Multiplying equation (106) by ra(t) and then subtracting equation (106) from equation (105), a non-zero secondary reference signal n′(t) is determined by:
n′(t)=Sλa(t)−ra(t)Sλb(t) (110a)
=εHbO2,λacvHbO2xv(t)+εHb,λacvHbxv(t)+nλa(t)−ra(t)[εHbO2,λbcvHbO2xv(t)+εHb,λbcvHbxv(t)+nλb(t)]. (111a)
Multiplying equation (106) by rv(t) and then subtracting equation (106) from equation (105), a non-zero primary reference signal s′(t) is determined by:
The constant saturation assumption does not cause the venous contribution to the absorption to be canceled along with the primary signal portions sλa(t) and sλb(t). Thus, frequencies associated with both the low frequency modulated absorption due to venous absorption when the patient is still and the modulated absorption due to venous absorption when the patient is moving are represented in the secondary reference signal n′(t). Thus, the correlation canceler or other methods described above remove or derive both erratically modulated absorption due to venous blood in the finger under motion and the constant low frequency cyclic absorption of venous blood.
To illustrate the operation of the oximeter of
It should also be understood that a reference processor could be utilized in order to obtain the primary reference signal s′(t)=sλa−rvsλb(t). The primary reference signal s′(t) would be generally indicative of the plethysmograph waveform.
It should be understood that approximation n″λa(t) and n″λb(t) to the secondary signals nλa(t) and nλb(t) as estimated by a correlation canceler using a primary reference signal s′(t) can also be determined in accordance with the present invention.
Implementing the various embodiments of the correlation canceler described above in software is relatively straightforward given the equations set forth above, and the detailed description above. However, a copy of a computer program subroutine, written in the C programming language, which calculates a primary reference s′(t) using the constant saturation method and, using a joint process estimator 572 which implements a joint process estimator using the equations (54)-(64) is set forth in Appendix B. This joint process estimator estimates a good approximation to the primary signal portions of two measured signals, each having a primary portion which is correlated to the primary reference signal s′(t) and a secondary portion which is correlated to the secondary reference signal n′(t). This subroutine is another way to implement the steps illustrated in the flowchart of
The correspondence of the program variables to the variables defined in equations (54)-(64) in the discussion of the joint process estimator is as follows:
Δm(t)=nc[m].Delta
Γf,m(t)=nc[m].fref
Γb,m(t)=nc[m].bref
fm(t)=nc[m].ferr
bm(t)=nc[m].berr
ℑm(t)=nc[m].Fswsqr
βm(t)=nc[m].Bswsqr
γm(t)=nc[m].Gamma
ρm,λa(t)=nc[m].Roh_a
ρm,λb(t)=nc[m].Roh_b
em,λa(t)=nc[m].err_a
em,λb(t)=nc[m].err_b
κm,λa(t)=nc[m].K_a
κm,λb(t)=nc[m].K_b
A first portion of the program performs the initialization of the registers 90, 92, 96, and 98 and intermediate variable values as in the “INITIALIZED CORRELATION CANCELER” action block 120. A second portion of the program performs the time updates of the delay element variables 110 with the value at the input of each delay element variable 110 is stored in the delay element variable 110 as in the “TIME UPDATE OF LEFT [Z−] ELEMENTS” action block 130. The calculation of saturation is performed in a separate module. Various methods for calculation of the oxygen saturation are known to those skilled in the art. One such calculation is described in the articles by G. A. Mook, et al, and Michael R. Neuman cited above. Once the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin are determined, the value of the saturation is determined similarly to equations (72) through (79) wherein measurements at times t1 and t2 are made at different, yet proximate times over which the saturation is relatively constant. For pulse oximetry, the average saturation at time t=(t1+t2)/2 is then determined by:
A third portion of the subroutine calculates the primary reference or secondary reference, as in the “CALCULATE PRIMARY OR SECONDARY REFERENCE (s′(t) or n′(t)) FOR TWO MEASURED SIGNAL SAMPLES” action block 140 for the signals Sλa(t) and Sλb(t) using the proportionality constants ra(t) and rv(t) determined by the constant saturation method as in equation (3). The saturation is calculated in a separate subroutine and a value of ra(t) or rv(t) is imported to the present subroutine for estimating either the primary portions sλa(t) and sλb(t) or the secondary portions nλa(t) and nλb(t) of the composite measured signals Sλa(t) and Sλb(t).
A fourth portion of the program performs Z-stage update as in the “ZERO STAGE UPDATE” action block 150 where the Z-stage forward prediction error F0(t) and Z-stage backward prediction error b0(t) are set equal to the value of the reference signal n′(t) or s′(t) just calculated. Additionally zero-stage values of intermediate variables ℑ0 and β0(t) (nc[m].Fswsqr and nc[m].Bswsqr in the program) are calculated for use in setting registers 90, 92, 96, and 98 values in the least-squares lattice predictor 70 in the regression filters 80a and 80b.
A fifth portion of the program is an iterative loop wherein the loop counter, M, is reset to zero with a maximum of m=NC_CELLS, as in the “m=0” action block 160 in
A sixth portion of the program calculates the forward and backward reflection coefficient Γm,f(t) and Γm,b(t) register 90 and 92 values (nc[m].fref and nc[m].bref in the program) as in the “ORDER UPDATE mth-STAGE OF LSL-PREDICTOR” action block 170. Then forward and backward prediction errors fm(t) and bm(t) (nc[m].ferr and nc[m].berr in the program) are calculated. Additionally, intermediate variables ℑm(t), βm(t), and γ(t) (nc[m].Fswsqr, nc[m].Bswsqr, nc[m].gamma in the program) are calculated. The first cycle of the loop uses the value for nc[0].Fswsqr and nc[0].Bswsqr calculated in the ZERO STAGE UPDATE portion of the program.
A seventh portion of the program, still within the loop begun in the fifth portion of the program, calculates the regression coefficient register 96 and 98 values κm,λa(t) and κm,λb(t) (nc[m].K_a and nc[m].K_b in the program) in both regression filters, as in the “ORDER UPDATE mth STAGE OF REGRESSION FILTER(S)” action block 180. Intermediate error signals and variables em,λa(t), em,λb(t), ρm,λa(t), and ρm,λb(t) (nc[m].err_a and nc[m].err_b, nc[m].roh_a, and nc[m].roh_b in the subroutine) are also calculated.
The loop iterates until the test for convergence is passed. The test for convergence of the joint process estimator is performed each time the loop iterates analogously to the “DONE” action block 190. If the sum of the weighted sums of the forward and backward prediction errors ℑm(t)+βm(t) is less than or equal to 0.00001, the loop terminates. Otherwise, sixth and seventh portions of the program repeat.
The output of the present subroutine is a good approximation to the primary signals s″λa(t) and s″λb(t) or the secondary signals n″λa(t) and n″λb(t) for the set of samples Sλa(t) and Sλb(t) input to the program. After approximations to the primary signal portions or the secondary signals portions of many sets of measured signal samples are estimated by the joint process estimator, a compilation of the outputs provides waves which are good approximations to the plethysmographic wave or motion artifact at each wavelength, λa and λb.
It should be understood that the subroutine of Appendix B is merely one embodiment which implements the equations (54)-(64). Although implementation of the normalized and QRD-LSL equations is also straightforward, a subroutine for the normalized equations is attached as Appendix C, and a subroutine for the QRD-LSL algorithm is attached as Appendix D.
While one embodiment of a physiological monitor incorporating a processor of the present invention for determining a reference signal for use in a correlation canceler, such as an adaptive noise canceler, to remove or derive primary and secondary components from a physiological measurement has been described in the form of a pulse oximeter, it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that other types of physiological monitors may also employ the above described techniques.
Furthermore, the signal processing techniques described in the present invention may be used to compute the arterial and venous blood oxygen saturations of a physiological system on a continuous or nearly continuous time basis. These calculations may be performed, regardless of whether or not the physiological system undergoes voluntary motion.
Furthermore, it will be understood that transformations of measured signals other than logarithmic conversion and determination of a proportionality factor which allows removal or derivation of the primary or secondary signal portions for determination of a reference signal are possible. Additionally, although the proportionality factor r has been described herein as a ratio of a portion of a first signal to a portion of a second signal, a similar proportionality constant determined as a ratio of a portion of a second signal to a portion of a first signal could equally well be utilized in the processor of the present invention. In the latter case, a secondary reference signal would generally resemble n′(t)=nλb(t)−rnλa(t).
Furthermore, it will be understood that correlation cancellation techniques other than joint process estimation may be used together with the reference signals of the present invention. These may include but are not limited to least mean square algorithms, wavelet transforms, spectral estimation techniques, neural networks, Weiner and Kalman filters among others.
One skilled in the art will realize that many different types of physiological monitors may employ the teachings of the present invention. Other types of physiological monitors include, but are in not limited to, electro cardiographs, blood pressure monitors, blood constituent monitors (other than oxygen saturation) monitors, capnographs, heart rate monitors, respiration monitors, or depth of anesthesia monitors. Additionally, monitors which measure the pressure and quantity of a substance within the body such as a breathalizer, a drug monitor, a cholesterol monitor, a glucose monitor, a carbon dioxide monitor, a glucose monitor, or a carbon monoxide monitor may also employ the above described techniques.
Furthermore, one skilled in the art will realize that the above described techniques of primary or secondary signal removal or derivation from a composite signal including both primary or secondary components can also be performed on electrocardiography (ECG) signals which are derived from positions on the body which are close and highly correlated to each other. It should be understood that a tripolar Laplacian electrode sensor such as that depicted in
Furthermore, one skilled in the art will realize that the above described techniques can also be performed on signals made up of reflected energy, rather than transmitted energy. One skilled in the art will also realize that a primary or secondary portion of a measured signal of any type of energy, including but not limited to sound energy, X-ray energy, gamma ray energy, or light energy can be estimated by the techniques described above. Thus, one skilled in the art will realize that the techniques of the present invention can be applied in such monitors as those using ultrasound where a signal is transmitted through a portion of the body and reflected back from within the body back through this portion of the body. Additionally, monitors such as echo cardiographs may also utilize the techniques of the present invention since they too rely on transmission and reflection.
While the present invention has been described in terms of a physiological monitor, one skilled in the art will realize that the signal processing techniques of the present invention can be applied in many areas, including but not limited to the processing of a physiological signal. The present invention may be applied in any situation where a signal processor comprising a detector receives a first signal which includes a first primary signal portion and a first secondary signal portion and a second signal which includes a second primary signal portion and a second secondary signal portion. Thus, the signal processor of the present invention is readily applicable to numerous signal processing areas.
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/859,837 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,157,850), filed May 16, 1997, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/320,154 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,272), filed Oct. 7, 1994, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/132,812 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,505), filed Oct. 6, 1993.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 08859837 | May 1997 | US |
Child | 09144897 | US | |
Parent | 08320154 | Oct 1994 | US |
Child | 08859837 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 08132812 | Oct 1993 | US |
Child | 08320154 | US |