BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a non-invasive oximeter capable of measuring arterial oxygen saturation, and more particularly, to an optical oximeter which analyzes light wave signals transmitted through a living body to detect the oxygen saturation in the arterial blood contained therein.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In general, methods for measuring oxygen saturation in arterial blood without penetrating body tissue utilize the relative difference between the light absorption coefficient of hemoglobin (Hb) and that of the hemoglobin oxide (HbO₂). The light absorption coefficient for Hb and HbO₂ is characteristically tied to the wavelength of the light traveling through them. Both Hb and HbO₂ transmit light having a wavelength in the infrared region to approximately the same degree. However, in the visible region, the light absorption coefficient for Hb is quite different from the light absorption coefficient of HbO₂.

One example of a non-invasive oximeter is described in an article titled "Photoelectric Determination of Arterial Oxygen Saturation in Man" by Wood and Geraci, in the Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine, Volume 34, 1949. The oximeter described therein utilizes a light source that generates light in the infrared region and in the red region. Both light wave signals are transmitted through body tissue. The respective light wave signals leaving the body tissue are photoelectrically converted into a first and second output signal. Ultimately, these signals are analyzed to get an indication of the oxygen saturation in the arterial blood. Before these first and second signals are generated, the body tissue is compressed to occlusive pressure (200 mm. of mercury), squeezing blood from the tissue under test. This is done to obtain reference output signals which have information regarding light absorption by the tissue itself, i.e., muscles, bone or skin, without the blood. These reference signals are required in order to separate the information regarding light absorption by blood alone from the above mentioned first and second output signals, which includes information regarding light absorption by the blood and tissue together.

As a result of this tissue compression set up, it is impossible to continuously detect the oxygen saturation in the blood, because a measurement under compression interrupts the normal flow of blood. As a result of the necessity of providing a compression pressure of 200 mm. of mercury, this prior art oximeter is quite bulky and cumbersome, and may even introduce a certain amount of discomfort to the subject.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide means in an oximeter for obtaining information regarding light absorption by blood alone without compressing the tissue under test.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an oximeter which does not compress the tissue under test.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an oximeter circuit in which the fluctuations of the reference level of the pulsating output signal is removed to increase the reliability of the measurement.

The above objects as well as the general purpose of the present invention, is accomplished by utilizing a pair of computing circuits, each computing circuit receiving signals from its respective photoelectric device. Each computing circuit includes a circuit for separating the direct current component from the received photoelectrically converted signal. A circuit combination in the computing circuit takes the received photoelectrically converted signal and the separated out direct current component and provides an output signal representative of the logarithm of the quotient of the received photoelectric signal divided by the direct current component. The respective signals from the computing circuits are differentiated and then divided, one by the other, to provide an indication of oxygen saturation in the blood.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designated like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a portion of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of an oximeter according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a graph representing variation in the light absorption coefficient of hemoglobin and hemoglobin oxide versus the wavelength of light.

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the final output signal from the circuit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a graph representing the output signals from each of the differentiation circuits of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6A is a graph showing the variation in the quantity of blood in an artery, in terms of time.

FIG. 6B is a graph showing the variation in the ratio between light absorption coefficients of the blood at first and second wavelengths in terms of time.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a photoelectric device that may be used with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of the various circuits used in the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of the rectification and integration circuits of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of the division circuit of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a light source 1, such as a light emitting diode or the like, emits a quantity of light I_o. A great majority of the quantity of light I_o being emitted is passed to a living body 2, such as a finger tip, where a portion thereof is absorbed. The portion not absorbed becomes a final quantity of light I_{AC +DC} which contains an AC component relating to absorption by the pulsating blood in the arteries, and a DC component relating to absorption by the tissue in the body 2, I_{AC +DC} can be represented by the following equation:

IAC +DC = Io FT e-.sup.β(d+l) 1.

wherein:

β is the absorption coefficient of blood

F_t is a light-quantity attenuation index for the absorption of light by the body tissue;

d is a quantity of blood that remains in the tissue on a steady-state basis; and

l is the quantity of blood which varies in terms of time due to pulsation.

A photoelectric device 3, including a CDS, CDSe, or silicon photodiode, produces an output signal:

E = A I.sup.γ

for a quantity I of light incident thereupon. The output (E_{AC +DC}) quantity of light I_{AC +DC} is represented by the expression:

EAC +DC = A I.sub. AC+DC 

substituting for I_{AC +DC} from equation 1:

EAC +DC = A [Io FT e-.sup.β(d+1)].sup.γ  = A I.sub. o F.sub. T e-.sup.β.sup.γe-.sup.β.sup.γl 2

wherein A and γ are constants.

A separation circuit 5 receives the E_{AC +DC} from the input circuit 4 and provides the DC component E_DC to one output terminal and the received signal E_{AC +DC} to the other output terminal. From equation (2), it can be seen that only the variable l is changed in terms of time, and E_DC can be expressed as follows:

EDC = A Io  FT  e-.sup.β.sup.γd 3.

Amplifiers 6 and 7 amplify the signals e_{AC +DC} and E_DC respectively received from the separation circuit 5. The outputs of both amplifiers are connected to a division circuit 8, in which a division E_{AC +DC} /E_DC is effected. From equations 2 and 3, the output signal from the dividing circuit 8 can be represented by the following expression:

EAC +DC /EDC = e-.sup.β.sup.γl 4.

A logarithmic conversion circuit 9 receives this signal from the division circuit 8. From equation (4 ), the output signal Y from the logarithmic conversion circuit 9 can be expressed as follows:

Y = log (EAC +DC /EDC) = -βγl log e 5.

From equation (5), since γ log e is a constant having a predetermined value, the output signal Y supplies information about βl, the absorption coefficient of blood times a certain quantity of blood. As a result, the embodiment of FIG. 1 will supply a signal that indicates the degree of absorption of the light generated by the light source 1, by the blood in the arteries. As can be seen from FIG. 1, this is accomplished without compression of the body tissue 2, and without impeding the flow of blood in any way.

Since log (E_{AC +DC} /E_DC) is desired, a more convenient equivalent for the embodiment of FIG. 1 may comprise a circuit, which is arranged so that E_{AC +DC} and E_DC is converted into logarithmic form first and the division circuit substituted by a subtraction circuit for subtracting log E_DC from log E_{AC +DC}. The end result is the same.

FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of an oximeter which utilizes a pair of signal generating circuits 0,0' of the type shown in FIG. 1. A first photoelectric device 3, connected to a first computing section 0 is arranged to receive light having first wavelength (R) that may be in the red region. A second photoelectric device 3', which may be identical to the first photoelectric device 3, except for its light filter, is connected to a second computing section 0'. This photoelectric device is arranged to receive light having a second wavelength (IR) that may be in the infrared region.

Referring to FIG. 3, the characteristic change in the light absorption coefficient of hemoglobin (Hb) and that of hemoglobin oxide (HbO₂), in relation to the wavelength of light is plotted. As can be seen from the graph, the absorption coefficient 18 of hemoglobin is equal to the absorption coefficient 19 of hemoglobin oxide for light having a wavelength B, in the infrared region. When light having a wavelength A, in the red region, or C, above infrared, is used, the absorption coefficients for Hb and HbO₂ differ considerably.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the photoelectric devices in the Y signal generating circuits 0 and 0' are structured to receive light at different wavelengths, for example, by the selection of appropriate filters for the photoelectric devices 3 and 3'. As a result, the output signal from signal generating circuit 0 will be different from the output signal from signal generating circuit 0'. Equation (5) expresses the output Y for each of the signal generating circuits as follows:

YR = -βR γ llog e                     6.

YIR = -βIR γ llog e                   7.

where:

Y_R and Y_IR are representative of the outputs from the respective circuits 0 and 0' β_R and β_IR are the light absorption coefficient of the blood in terms of light having a first wavelength (R) and light having a second wavelength (IR), respectively

The absorption coefficients β_R and β_IR can be expressed as follows:

βR = AR (HbO2 )C(HbO.sub. 2) + AR (Hb)C(Hb) 8.

βIR = AIR (HbO2 )C(HbO2) + AIR (Hb)C(Hb) 9.

wherein:

A_R (HbO₂) represents the light absorption coefficient of HbO₂ in terms of light having a first wavelength,

A_R (Hb) represents the light absorption coefficient of Hb in terms of light having a first wavelength,

A_IR HbO₂) represents the light absorption coefficient of HbO₂ in terms of light having a second wavelength,

A_IR (Hb) represents the light absorption coefficient of Hb in terms of light having a second wavelength C(HbO₂) is representative of the density of HbO₂ in the blood,

C(Hb) is representative of the density of Hb in the blood.

The quantity to be measured is oxygen saturation (S) of the blood. S is defined according to the variables of equations (8) and (9), as follows:

S = C(HbO.sub. 2)/(C(HbO.sub. 2) + C(Hb))                  10.

From equations (8) and (9), equation (10) may be transformed in terms of absorption coefficient as follows: ##EQU1##

All the terms of equation (11), other than β_R /β_IR are constants which can be determined beforehand. As a result S (oxygen saturation) can be calculated when the ratio β_R /β_IR is known. If a lightwave having a length B in the infrared region is selected as the IR signal, then

A_IR (Hb) = A_IR (HbO₂), see FIG. 3, and therefore, the equation (11) is represented in the form: ##EQU2##

By connecting a dividing circuit, such as division circuit 15, to the output terminals P and P' of the Y signal generating circuits 0 and 0', respectively, Y.sub. R Y.sub. IR is obtained. According to equations (6) and (7), the following relationship exists:

 YR /YIR = βR /βIR           13.

either equation (11) or (12) will supply a measure of oxygen saturation (S), β_R /β_IR being the only variable therein.

The signal Y_R /Y_IR obtained from the divider circuit connected to the output of the two Y signal generating circuits 0 and 0' is not in an optimized condition. Due to instability, which is largely dependent on respiration of the patient, the output signal fluctuates widely. Due to the time constant of a smoothing circuit included in the separation circuit 5 (FIG. 1), a reference level of the Y output signal from the Y signal generating circuits fluctuates as represented by curve 20 in FIG. 4. The reference level is shown as fluctuating between a level L and L'. This fluctuation affects the computation of the output signal Y, possibly leading to error in the final indication.

To eliminate this possibility, the output signals Y_R and Y_IR, from their respective circuits are fed as inputs to differentiation circuits 10 and 10', respectively, shown in FIG. 2. The representative output signal 21 from the differentiation circuits 10 and 10' has a reference level L", as shown in FIG. 5. This reference level is constant, and not under the influence of the fluctuation in the reference level of the output signals Y_R and Y_IR , respectively. From equations (6) and (7) the output signals from the differentiation circuits 10 and 10' can be represented as follows: ##EQU3##

FIG. 6A plots the experimentally obtained variations of blood vs. time in a human. FIG. 6B plots the corresponding variation of β_R /β_IR vs. time. The variation of β_R /β_IR vs. time (FIG. 6B) is extremely slow relative to the variation in the quantity of blood (l) vs. time (FIG. 6A) for one pulse variation in the quantity of blood. Therefore dβ_R /dt and dβ_IR /dt can be regarded as zero for one pulse cycle, providing the following equalities:

dβR /dt = 0, dβIR /dt = 0              16.

If the output signals from the differentiation circuits 10 and 10' are fed as inputs to a divising circuit for computation than from equations (15) and (16), the following relationship is true: ##EQU4##

It will be remembered that the oxygen saturation factor S can be calculated when β_R /β_IR is known. By differentiating the Y_R signals from the Y_IR signal generating circuits 0 and 0', the fluctuation is the reference level of the Y signals is circumvented, thereby avoiding error in the final indication of oxygen saturation.

The system described to this point is effectively illustrated in FIG. 2 if the division circuit 15 had its respective inputs connected to points q, q', the output of the respective differentiation circuits 10 and 10'. A calculation circuit 16 receives the output of division circuit 15 and uses it to execute either equation (11) or (12). The output of the calculation circuit is supplied to an indicator device 17 which provides an indication of the degree of oxygen saturation in the blood.

To improve the reliability of the indication by indicator 17, supplementary circuits such as amplifiers 11, 11', low-pass filters 12, 12', rectifier circuits 13, 13' and integration circuits 14, 14' are utilized. The filters 12, 12' reduce the noise content of the signals received from the amplifier, 11, 11'. The rectification circuits 13, 13' and integration circuits 14, 14' are used to improve the signal quality of the signals supplied to the division circuit 15.

As an example of specific circuitry that may be utilized to perform the functions of the labeled blocks of FIG. 2, reference may be had to FIGS. 7 - 10. These circuits are presented only as an example, other circuits equivalent in function and seen as well within the purview of a person or ordinary skill in the art. The specific function of the circuitry illustrated is seen as obvious from the figures when taken in combination with the general description of their function. The elements of these circuits, such as operational amplifiers, diodes, capacitors, and switching transistors are well known and understood.

FIG. 7 is a preferred circuit design of the photoelectric device 3 or 3'. As can be seen from the figure, a photoelectric diode 22 varies the bias on a transistor circuit 25 according to the intensity of light falling on the diode. Amplifiers 23 and 24 provide an output signal voltage E_{AC +DC} that contains both an alternating and steady-state voltage component.

FIG. 8 is an example of the Y signal generating circuit 0 or 0', the differentiating circuit 10 or 10', the amplifier 11 or 11', and the low-pass filter 12 or 12' of FIG. 2. As can be seen from the illustration straightforward signal processing is utilized.

FIG. 9 is an example of the rectification circuit 13 or 13', and the integration circuit 14 or 14' of FIG. 2. Here again standard signal processing using diodes, operational amplifiers, etc. is employed.

FIG. 10 is an example of a division circuit 15 that may be used as part of the embodiment of FIG. 2. The two input terminals 26, 27 receive signals from integrator circuits 14, 14', respectively.

The calculation circuit 16 of FIG. 2 as was noted, receives the output signals from division circuit 16 and calculates the oxygen saturation (S) in the blood, according to equation (11) or (12). The light absorption coefficient terms of either equation are constants. The operation performed by the calculation circuit amounts to multiplying, dividing, adding, and subtracting utilizing the received variable and the stored constants. The variable is β_R /β_IR. If the photoelectric devices 3 and 3' of FIG. 2 are responding to light of 2 different wavelengths when neither is in the infrared region, the calculation circuit must execute equation (11). This amounts to:

1. Multiplying the received variable β_R /β_IR times a constant A_IR (Hb) and a constant A_IR (Hb) - A_IR (HbO₂) to get a first product and second product, respectively.

2. Subtracting a constant A_R (Hb) from the first product to get a difference.

3. Adding a constant A_R (HbO₂) - A_R (Hb) to the second product to get a sum.

4. Dividing the sum into the difference.

If the photoelectric devices 3 and 3' of FIG. 2 are responding to light of 2 different wavelengths when one is in the infrared region, a calculation circuit that executes equation (12) may be utilized. This amounts to:

1. Multiplying the received variable β_R /β_IR by a constant ##EQU5## to get a product.

2. subtracting a constant ##EQU6## from that product. Since ##EQU7## the calculation circuit 16 takes the variable signal from the division circuit 15 and operates on it, as above noted to obtain oxygen saturation. The exact circuitry for accomplishing the execution of either equation (11) or (12) is seen as well within the purview of a person of ordinary skill in the art. The indicator 17 receives a signal from the calculation circuit 16 that is representative of the amount of oxygen saturation in the arterial blood of a patient being tested. The indicator can either generate a visual or audible indicator of the quantity of oxygen in the arterial blood in any well known manner.

What has been described is a means in an oximeter for obtaining information regarding light absorption by blood in living tissue without compressing the tissue under test and a means for obtaining more reliable and stable readings.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.