Claims:1. A system (30) for measurement of oxygen saturation level in human blood, the system () comprising:
one or more processors (40);
an image receiving subsystem (50) operable by the one or more processors (40), wherein the image receiving subsystem (50) is configured to receive one or more infrared images of a human body captured by an image capturing device;
an intensity measurement subsystem (80) operable by the one or more processors (40), wherein the intensity measurement subsystem (80) is configured to measure an infrared intensity absorbed by the human body from the one or more infrared images received by the image receiving subsystem; and
an oxygen saturation determining subsystem (130) operable by the one or more processors (40), wherein the oxygen saturation determining subsystem (130) is configured to determine rate of oxygen saturation in the human body by mapping the infrared intensity measured by the intensity measurement subsystem, to one or more predefined oxygen saturation values.
2. The system (30) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image capturing device comprises a near infrared camera.
3. The system (30) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more predefined oxygen saturation values are stored in a database.
4. The system (30) as claimed in claim 1, comprising an image enhancement subsystem configured to enhance the one or more infrared images received by the image receiving subsystem using an image processing technique for extracting one or more vein images from the one or more infrared images.
5. The system (30) as claimed in claim 4, comprising a vein visualization subsystem configured to visualize vein by using an augmented reality in order to project the one or more vein images extracted by the image enhancement subsystem to a corresponding part of the human body.
6. A method (400) for measuring oxygen saturation level in human blood, the method (400) comprising:
receiving, by an image receiving subsystem, one or more infrared images of a human body captured by an image capturing device (410);
measuring, by an intensity measurement subsystem, measure an infrared intensity absorbed by the human body from the one or more infrared images received by the image receiving subsystem (420); and
determining, by an oxygen saturation determining subsystem, rate of oxygen saturation in the human body by mapping the infrared intensity measured by the intensity measurement subsystem, to one or more predefined oxygen saturation values (430).
7. The method (400) as claimed in claim 6, wherein capturing the one or more infrared images of the human body by using the image capturing device comprises capturing the one or more infrared images of the human body by using a near infrared camera.
8. The method (400) as claimed in claim 6, wherein mapping measured infrared intensity to the one or more predefined oxygen saturation values, wherein the one or more predefined oxygen saturation values are stored in a database.
9. The method (400) as claimed in claim 6, comprising enhancing, by an image enhancement subsystem, the one or more infrared images received by the image receiving subsystem using an image processing technique for extracting one or more vein images from the one or more infrared images.
10. The method (400) as claimed in claim 9, comprising visualizing, by a vein visualization subsystem, vein by using an augmented reality in order to project the one or more vein images extracted by the image enhancement subsystem to a corresponding part of the human body.

Dated this 06th day of March 2020.
Signature

Vidya Bhaskar Singh Nandiyal
Patent Agent (IN/PA-2912)
Agent for the Applicant
, Description:FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] Embodiments of a present disclosure relate to measurement of oxygen saturation level in human blood, and more particularly, to a system and method for measurement of oxygen saturation level in human blood using non-invasive technique.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Oxygen saturation is a very crucial physiological parameter which has been identified as a risk factor for various chronic diseases of circulatory system and respiratory system. Therefore, maintaining right amount of oxygen saturation in human blood is very important. Various systems are available which are involved in measuring oxygen saturation level in the human blood. Conventionally, a system measures oxygen saturation level based on invasive methods, such as puncturing of veins with a needle and the like; which in turn can lead to one or more problems such as swelling, bleeding or permanent damage to veins if puncturing of the veins is done improperly.
[0003] Further, in another approach, the system, which is available to determine the oxygen saturation level, determines the oxygen saturation level using data from different skin pixels and analyzing the data multiple times in small intervals, which becomes a tedious and a time-consuming process. Moreover, in order to determine the oxygen saturation level using a plurality of devices, such as cameras, lights, and the like, makes the system non-portable.
[0004] Hence, there is a need for an improved system and method for measurement of oxygen saturation in human blood in order to address the aforementioned issues.
BRIEF DISCRIPTION
[0005] In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, a system for measurement of oxygen saturation level in human blood is disclosed. The system includes one or more processors. The system also includes an image receiving subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The image receiving subsystem is configured to receive one or more infrared images of a human body captured by an image capturing device. The system also includes an intensity measurement subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The intensity measurement subsystem is configured to measure an infrared intensity absorbed by the human body from the one or more infrared images received by the image receiving subsystem. The system also includes an oxygen saturation determining subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The oxygen saturation determining subsystem is configured to determine rate of oxygen saturation in the human body by mapping the infrared intensity measured by the intensity measurement subsystem, to one or more predefined oxygen saturation values.
[0006] In accordance with another embodiment, a method for measuring oxygen saturation level in human blood is disclosed. The method includes receiving one or more infrared images of a human body captured by an image capturing device. The method also includes measuring an infrared intensity absorbed by the human body from the one or more infrared images received by the image receiving subsystem. The method also includes determining rate of oxygen saturation in the human body by mapping the infrared intensity measured by the intensity measurement subsystem to one or more predefined saturation values.
[0007] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a system for measurement of oxygen saturation level in human blood in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the system for measurement of oxygen saturation level in human blood of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the system for measurement of oxygen saturation level in human blood of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an oxygen saturation level measurement computer system or a server in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0012] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram representing steps involved in a method for measuring oxygen saturation level in human blood.
[0013] Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0015] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.
[0016] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.
[0017] In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0018] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system and a method for measurement of oxygen saturation level in human blood. The system includes one or more processors. The system also includes an image receiving subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The image receiving subsystem receives one or more infrared images of a human body captured by an image capturing device. The system also includes an intensity measurement subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The intensity measurement subsystem measures an infrared intensity absorbed by the human body from the one or more infrared images received by the image receiving subsystem. The system also includes an oxygen saturation determining subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The oxygen saturation determining subsystem determines rate of oxygen saturation in the human body by mapping the infrared intensity measured by the intensity measurement subsystem to one or more predefined oxygen saturation values.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a system (10) for measurement of oxygen saturation level in human blood in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term “oxygen saturation” refers to a fraction of oxygen-saturated haemoglobin relative to total haemoglobin (unsaturated + saturated) in the human blood. One or more images of a user (20) is taken by the system (30) for measurement of oxygen saturation level in user blood. The one or more images of the user (20) is taken in order to increase the accuracy of a measured saturation level.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the system (30) for measurement of oxygen saturation level in human blood of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of present disclosure. The system (30) includes one or more processors (40). The system (30) includes an image receiving subsystem (50) operable by the one or more processors (40). The image receiving subsystem (50) receives one or more infrared images of the human body captured by an image capturing device. In one embodiment, the image capturing device may include a Near Infrared (NIR) light source camera. As used herein, the Near Infrared (NIR) light source camera refers to, using a light source which is closer to visible range to create one or more digital image of the user vasculature in real time. In one embodiment, the NIR light source camera may include one or more infrared (IR) filters or heat-absorbing filters, which are used to prevent unwanted heating while passing visible light.
[0021] In such embodiment, a frequency of the one or more near infrared radiations emitted by the NIR camera lies in a range of about 800 to about 950 nanometres (nm). In one embodiment, the one or more near infrared radiations get absorbed by veins in the human body, which makes the veins visible in the one or more infrared images. In some embodiment, the image receiving subsystem (50) may include a temperature sensor, which senses temperature of the NIR light source camera. Further, the system (30) may include a monitoring subsystem (60) operable by the one or more processors (40). The monitoring subsystem (60) monitors sensed temperature of the NIR light source camera in order to check if there is a rise in temperature of the NIR light source camera.
[0022] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system (30) may include an alert generation subsystem (70) operable by the one or more processors (40). The alert generation subsystem (70) generates one or more alert signals to shut off the NIR light source camera upon detection of rise in the temperature. In such embodiment, the one or more alert signals may include an audio signal which is generated upon triggering a buzzer. Further, the system (30) also includes an intensity measurement subsystem (80) operable by the one or more processors (40). The intensity measurement subsystem (80) measures an infrared intensity absorbed by the human body from the one or more infrared images received by the image receiving subsystem.
[0023] In one embodiment, the system (30) may include an image enhancement subsystem (90) operable by the one or more processors (40). In such embodiment, the image enhancement subsystem (90) enhances the one or more infrared images received by the image receiving subsystem using one or more image processing techniques for extracting one or more veins images from the one or more infrared images. In such embodiment, the image enhancement subsystem (90) may include an image conversion subsystem (100) operable by one or more processors (40). The image conversion subsystem (100) converts the one or more infrared images, received by the image receiving subsystem (50), to one or more grayscale images. Further, the one or more grayscale images is enhanced by using a Contrast Limited Histogram Enhancement (CLAHE). As used herein, the term “Contrast Limited Histogram Enhancement” refers to a technique to enhance the visibility of local details of an image by increasing the contrast of local regions. Furthermore, the image enhancement subsystem (90) may include an image filtering subsystem (110) operable by one or more processors (40). The image filtering subsystem (110) applies Gabor filters on one or more enhanced images according to level of the corresponding one or more enhanced images to filter the one or more enhanced images. As used herein, the term “Gabor filters” refers to a linear filter used for texture analysis, which means that it basically analyses whether there are any specific frequency content in the image in specific directions in a localized region around the point or region of analysis.
[0024] Further, one or more filtered images, received from the image filtering subsystem (110), segregates according to one or more colours. In such embodiment, the one or more colours may include red, green and white. After segregation of the one or more filtered images, received from the image filtering subsystem (110), gets resized according to child mode. In such embodiment, if the child mode is present then the one or more filtered images will be reduced in size and if the child mode is not present, then the one or more filtered images will be sized normally. Furthermore, one or more resized images gets inverted according to the requirement and gets projected. In such embodiment, if the one or more resized images are inverted then projector will show inverted projection and if the one or more resized image is not inverted then the projector will show normal projection.
[0025] Furthermore, the system (30) also includes a vein visualization subsystem (120) operable by the one or more processors (40). The vein visualization subsystem (120) visualizes vein by using an augmented reality in order to project the one or more vein images extracted by the image enhancement subsystem (90) to corresponding part of the human body. In such embodiment, a projector may be used to project the one or more vein images. In one embodiment, the projector may include a digital light processing (DLP) projector. As used herein, the term “digital light processing (DLP)” refers to a Digital Micromirror Device, to reflect light and colour onto a screen. In one exemplary embodiment, visualized vein is extracted from the one or more infrared images and augmented back to the part of the human body from where the one or more infrared images are captured.
[0026] Furthermore, the system (30) also includes an oxygen saturation determining subsystem (130) operable by one or more processors (40). The oxygen saturation determining subsystem (130) determines rate of oxygen saturation in the human body by mapping the infrared intensity measured by the intensity measurement subsystem to one or more predefined oxygen saturation values. In such embodiment, the one or more predefined oxygen saturation values are stored in a database.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the system (30) for measurement of oxygen saturation level in human blood of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system (30) receives the one or more infrared images of user’s hand (160), by an image receiving subsystem (170), using a Near Infrared (NIR) light source camera (150) as an image capturing device. Further, the system (30) measures intensity, by an intensity measurement subsystem (180), of the one or more infrared images of the user’s hand (160) captured by the NIR light source camera (150). Furthermore, the one or more infrared images of the user’s hand (160) gets enhanced using one or more image processing techniques, by an image enhancement subsystem (190), using Contrast Limited Histogram Enhancement (CLAHE) method in order to get clear vision of vein in the one or more infrared images. During enhancing, the system (30) also converts, by an image conversion subsystem (200), the one or more infrared images of the user’s hand (160) to one or more grayscale images. Further, one or more enhanced images of the user’s hand (160) gets filtered, by an image filtering subsystem (210), using median and Gabor filtering methods.
[0028] Further, one or more filtered images of the user’s hand (160) gets resized and projected in order to visualise vein of the user’s hand (160) by using an augmented reality by using a vein visualization subsystem (220). Furthermore, the system determines the rate of oxygen saturation in the user’s hand (160), using an oxygen saturation determining subsystem (230), by mapping the infrared intensity measured by the intensity measurement subsystem (180) to one more predefined oxygen saturation values, which are stored in a database.
[0029] Furthermore, the image receiving subsystem (170), the intensity measurement subsystem (180), the image enhancement subsystem (190), the image conversion subsystem (200), the image filtering subsystem (210),the vein visualization subsystem (220) and the oxygen saturation determining subsystem (230) are substantially similar to an image receiving subsystem (50), an intensity measurement subsystem (80), an image enhancement subsystem (90), an image conversion subsystem (100), an image filtering subsystem (110),a vein visualization subsystem (120) and an oxygen saturation determining subsystem (130) of FIG. 2.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a measurement of oxygen saturation level computer system (240) or a server in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The computer system (240) includes microcontroller(s) (250), memory coupled to the microcontroller (s) (250) via a bus, a power switches (340), buck convertors (270), an Odroid driver (280) coupled with Odroid processor (290), a temperature sensor (300), a distance sensor (310), a RGB light emitting diode (LED) (350), a projector driver (360) coupled with a projector (370), a LED driver (390) and an Infrared (IR) LED (380).
[0031] The microcontroller (250), as used herein, means any type of computational circuit, such as, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a complex instruction set computing microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing microprocessor, a very long instruction word microprocessor, an explicitly parallel instruction computing microprocessor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processing circuit, or a combination thereof.
[0032] The memory is stored locally on a user device. The memory includes multiple units stored in the form of executable program which instructs the microcontroller (250) to perform the configuration of the system illustrated in FIG. 2. The memory has following subsystems: an image receiving subsystem (50), an intensity measurement subsystem (80) and an oxygen saturation determining subsystem (130) of FIG. 2.
[0033] Computer memory elements may include any suitable memory device(s) for storing data and executable program, such as read-only memory, random access memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, hard drive, removable media drive for handling memory cards and the like. Embodiments of the present subject matter may be implemented in conjunction with program subsystems, including functions, procedures, data structures, and application programs, for performing tasks, or defining abstract data types or low-level hardware contexts. The executable program stored on any of the above-mentioned storage media may be executable by the microcontroller (250).
[0034] The power switches (340) instructs the microcontroller (250) to switch between “on” and “off” states and is used in PE converters to manipulate and shape the output voltage and currents. The buck converter (270) instructs the microcontroller (250) to step down voltage (while stepping up current) from its input (supply) to its output. The temperature sensor (300) instructs the microcontroller (250) to sense the temperature of the NIR camera. The distance sensor (310) instructs the microcontroller (250) to measure the distance to, or presence of target objects by sending a pulsed ultrasound wave at the object and then measuring the time for the sound echo to return.
[0035] Further, the RGB light emitting diode (350) instructs the microcontroller (250) to emit light when an electric current passes through it in the forward direction. Also, the projector (360) driver coupled with the projector (370), as used herein, means a driver to drive the projector (370) that projects an image onto a large surface, such as a white screen or wall. The LED driver (390) instructs the microcontroller (250) to rectify higher voltage, alternating current to low voltage, direct current. Further, the Infrared (IR) LED (380) instructs the microcontroller (250) to emit light in the infrared range of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum.
[0036] The image receiving subsystem (50) instructs the microcontroller (250) to receive the one or more infrared images of human body captured by the image capturing device. The intensity measurement subsystem (80) instructs the microcontroller (250) to measure the infrared intensity absorbed by the human body from the one or more infrared images received by the image receiving subsystem (50). The oxygen saturation determining subsystem (130) instructs the microcontroller (250) to determine the rate of oxygen saturation in the human body by mapping the infrared intensity measured by the intensity measurement subsystem (80) to the one or more predefined oxygen saturation values.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram representing steps involved in a method (400) for measurement of oxygen saturation level in human blood with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method includes receiving, by an image receiving subsystem, one or more infrared images of the human body captured by an image capturing device in step 410. In one embodiment, receiving the one or more infrared images of the human body captured by the image capturing device may include receiving the one or more infrared images of the human body captured by a Near Infrared (NIR) light source camera. In one embodiment, the method (400) may include preventing unwanted heating, by using one or more infrared filters present in the NIR light source camera, while passing visible light. In one embodiment, the method (400) may include absorbing one or more near infrared radiations in the human body, which makes the vein visible in the one or more infrared images.
[0038] Further, in one embodiment, the method (400) may include sensing temperature of the NIR light source camera using a temperature sensor. In one embodiment, the method (400) may include monitoring, by a monitoring subsystem, sensed temperature of the NIR light source camera in order to check if there is a rise in temperature of the NIR light source camera. In some embodiment, the method (400) may also include generating, by an alert generation subsystem, one or more alert signals to shut off the NIR light source camera upon detection of rise in the temperature. In one embodiment, generating the one or more alert signals may include generating an audio signal which is generated upon triggering a buzzer.
[0039] In one embodiment, the method (400) may include measuring, by an intensity measurement subsystem, an infrared intensity absorbed by the human body from the one or more infrared images received by the image receiving subsystem in step 420. Further, in one embodiment, the method (400) may include enhancing, by an image enhancement subsystem, the one or more infrared images received by the image receiving subsystem using one or more image processing techniques for extracting one or more veins images from the one or more infrared images.
[0040] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the method (400) may include converting, by an image conversion subsystem, the one or more infrared images to one or more grayscale images using a Contrast Limited Histogram Enhancement (CLAHE). In one embodiment, the method (400) may also include filtering, by an image filtering subsystem, one or more enhanced images according to level of corresponding one or more enhanced images. In one specific embodiment, the method (400) may include segregating one or more filtered images according to one or more colours. In one embodiment, segregating the one or more filtered images according to the one or more colours may include segregating the one or more filtered images according to red, green and white.
[0041] Further, in one embodiment, the method (400) may include resizing the one or more filtered images according to the child mode. In such embodiment, the method (400) may include resizing the one or more filtered images on the basis of child mode, if the child mode is present then the one or more filtered images will be reduced in size and if the child mode is not present the one or more filtered image will be normally sized. In one particular embodiment, the method (400) may include inverting one or more resized images according to the requirement. In one exemplary embodiment, the method (400) may include projecting the one or more resized images, when the one or more resized images are inverted then it will show inverted projection and if the one or more resized images are not inverted then it will show normal projection.
[0042] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the method (400) may include visualizing vein by using an augmented reality in order to project one or more vein images extracted by the image enhancement subsystem to corresponding part of the human body. In one embodiment, projecting the one or more vein images may include projecting the one or more vein images using a projector. In one embodiment, projecting the one or more vein images with the projector may include projecting the one or more vein images using a digital light processing (DLP) projector. In some embodiment, the method (400) may include extracting the one or more infrared images for augmented back to the part of the human body from where the one or more infrared images are captured.
[0043] In one specific embodiment, the method (400) also includes, determining, by an oxygen saturation determining subsystem, rate of oxygen saturation in the human body by mapping the infrared intensity measured by the intensity measurement subsystem to one or more predefined oxygen saturation values in step 430 stored in a database.
[0044] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution to the problem of measurement of oxygen saturation level in human blood. The present disclosure provides an efficient system of measurement of oxygen saturation level in human blood through non-invasive methods which eliminates problems such as swelling, bleeding or permanent damage to the veins caused by improper puncturing of veins by introducing non-contact methods for measuring the oxygen saturation level in the human blood. Also, the present disclosure provides an augmented reality-based vein visualization system for the easy access of veins.
[0045] While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.
[0046] The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, the order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependant on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.