Patent ID: 8801620
Filing Date: 2014-08-12
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of monitoring respiration in a patient, said method comprising: securing a pulse oximeter probe to a central source site of said patient, wherein said probe is configured to generate a photoplethysmography waveform; processing said plethysmography waveform from said probe to obtain a separate pulsatile arterial component waveform and a separate venous impedance component waveform; and quantifying in real time with a computer said pulsatile arterial component waveform, said venous impedance component waveform, or both, to determine respiratory rate, occurrence of an inspiratory event, occurrence of an expiratory event, occurrence of an air restriction event, occurrence of an air obstruction event, or a combination thereof, wherein quantifying in real time comprises evaluating changes in an amplitude of a waveform, peak or trough counting, peak-peak timing, peak-trough height, area under a curve, shape of curves, or evaluating changes in positions of peaks, troughs or midpoints from heartbeat to heartbeat or breath to breath.