Abstract: Functional imaging information is used to determine a probability of residual disease given a treatment. The functional imaging information shows different characteristic levels for different regions of the tumor. The probability is output for planning use and/or used to automatically determine dose by region. Using the probability, the dose may be distributed by region so that some regions receive a greater dose than other regions. This distribution by region of dose more likely treats the tumor with a same dose, allows a lesser dose to sufficient treat the tumor, and/or allows a greater dose with a lesser or no increase in risk to normal tissue. The dose plan may account for personalized tumors as each patient may have distinct tumors. Probability of dose application accuracy may also be used, so that a combined treatment probability allows efficient dose planning.

Abstract: Knowledge-based interpretable predictive modeling is provided. Expert knowledge is used to seed training of a model by a machine. The expert knowledge may be incorporated as diagram information, which relates known causal relationships between predictive variables. A predictive model is trained. In one embodiment, the model operates even with a missing value for one or more variables by using the relationship between variables. For application, the model outputs a prediction, such as the likelihood of survival for two years of a lung cancer patient. A graphical representation of the model is also output. The graphical representation shows the variables and relationships between variables used to determine the prediction. The graphical representation is interpretable by a physician or other to assist in understanding.

Abstract: Knowledge-based interpretable predictive modeling is provided. Expert knowledge is used to seed training of a model by a machine. The expert knowledge may be incorporated as diagram information, which relates known causal relationships between predictive variables. A predictive model is trained. In one embodiment, the model operates even with a missing value for one or more variables by using the relationship between variables. For application, the model outputs a prediction, such as the likelihood of survival for two years of a lung cancer patient. A graphical representation of the model is also output. The graphical representation shows the variables and relationships between variables used to determine the prediction. The graphical representation is interpretable by a physician or other to assist in understanding.

Abstract: Functional imaging information is used to determine a probability of residual disease given a treatment. The functional imaging information shows different characteristic levels for different regions of the tumor. The probability is output for planning use and/or used to automatically determine dose by region. Using the probability, the dose may be distributed by region so that some regions receive a greater dose than other regions. This distribution by region of dose more likely treats the tumor with a same dose, allows a lesser dose to sufficient treat the tumor, and/or allows a greater dose with a lesser or no increase in risk to normal tissue. The dose plan may account for personalized tumors as each patient may have distinct tumors. Probability of dose application accuracy may also be used, so that a combined treatment probability allows efficient dose planning.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for using photoplethysmography to obtain physiological parameter information related to respiration rate, heart rate, heart rate variability, blood volume variability and/or the autonomic nervous system. In one implementation, the process involves obtaining (2502) a pleth, filtering (2504) the pleth to remove unwanted components, identifying (2506) a signal component of interest, monitoring (2508) blood pressure changes, monitoring (2510) heart rate, and performing (2512) an analysis of the blood pressure signal to the heart rate signal to identify a relationship associated with the component of interest. Based on this relationship, the component of interest may be identified (2514) as relating to the respiration or Mayer Wave. If it is related to the respiration wave (2516), a respiratory parameter such as breathing rate may be determined (2520).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for using photoplethysmography to obtain physiological parameter information related to respiration or the autonomic nervous system. In one implementation, the process involves obtaining (602) a pleth, filtering (604) the pleth to remove unwanted components, identifying (606) a signal component of interest based on the filtered signal, monitoring (608) blood pressure changes, monitoring (610) heart rate, and performing (612) an analysis of the blood pressure signal to the heart rate signal to identify a phase relationship associated with the component of interest. Based on this phase relationship, the component of interest may be identified (614) as relating to the respiration or Mayer Wave. If it is related to the respiration wave (616), a respiratory parameter such as breathing rate may be determined (620). Otherwise, a Mayer Wave analysis (618) may be performed to obtain parameter information related to the autonomic nervous system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for using photoplethysmography to obtain physiological parameter information related to respiration rate, heart rate, heart rate variability, blood volume variability and/or the autonomic nervous system. In one implementation, the process involves obtaining (2502) a pleth, filtering (2504) the pleth to remove unwanted components, identifying (2506) a signal component of interest, monitoring (2508) blood pressure changes, monitoring (2510) heart rate, and performing (2512) an analysis of the blood pressure signal to the heart rate signal to identify a relationship associated with the component of interest. Based on this relationship, the component of interest may be identified (2514) as relating to the respiration or Mayer Wave. If it is related to the respiration wave (2516), a respiratory parameter such as breathing rate may be determined (2520).

Abstract: A photoplethysmographic instrument is used to obtain physiological parameter information related to low frequency heart rate and blood volume variability. In one implementation, a plethysmographic signal is filtered relative to a Mayer Wave frequency to provide an output related to low frequency blood volume variability. In another implementation, the photoplethysmographic signal is first processed to obtain a heart rate signal and the heart rate signal is in turn processed to obtain information regarding low frequency heart rate variability. In either case, a Mayer Wave effect having potential diagnostic significance can be monitored using a photoplethysmographic instrument such as a pulse oximeter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring a secondary physiological process through variations caused by the secondary process in an optical signal used to calculate values related to blood oxygen levels. In particular, the optical signal may be divided into distinct portions such that a portion more directly affected by a particular secondary physiological process may be isolated and the secondary physiological process monitored. The apparatus and method is particularly useful for photoplethysmographically monitoring a patient's respiration frequency through changes in relative concentrations of blood oxygen related values that are proportionally related to the amounts of venous and arterial blood in a portion of tissue.

Abstract: A pleth signal is analyzed to identify a heart rate variability parameter associated with respiration rate. In one embodiment, an associated process involves obtaining a photoplethysmograpic signal, processing the pleth signal to obtain heart rate samples, monitoring the heart rate sample to identify a heart rate variability associated with respiration, and determining a respiration rate based on the heart rate variability. The photoplethysmographic signal may be based on one or more channel signals of a conventional pulse oximeter. The invention thus allows for noninvasive monitoring of respiration rate and expands the functionality of pulse oximeters.

Abstract: A photoplethysmographic instrument is used to obtain physiological parameter information related to low frequency heart rate and blood volume variability. In one implementation, a plethysmographic signal is filtered relative to a Mayer Wave frequency to provide an output related to low frequency blood volume variability. In another implementation, the photoplethysmographic signal is first processed to obtain a heart rate signal and the heart rate signal is in turn processed to obtain information regarding low frequency heart rate variability. In either case, a Mayer Wave effect having potential diagnostic significance can be monitored using a photoplethysmographic instrument such as a pulse oximeter.

Abstract: A pleth signal is analyzed to identify a heart rate variability parameter associated with respiration rate. In one embodiment, an associated process involves obtaining a photoplethysmograpic signal, processing the pleth signal to obtain heart rate samples, monitoring the heart rate sample to identify a heart rate variability associated with respiration, and determining a respiration rate based on the heart rate variability. The photoplethysmographic signal may be based on one or more channel signals of a conventional pulse oximeter. The invention thus allows for noninvasive monitoring of respiration rate and expands the functionality of pulse oximeters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring a secondary physiological process through variations caused by the secondary process in an optical signal used to calculate values related to blood oxygen levels. In particular, the optical signal may be divided into distinct portions such that a portion more directly affected by a particular secondary physiological process may be isolated and the secondary physiological process monitored. The apparatus and method is particularly useful for photoplethysmographically monitoring a patient's respiration frequency through changes in relative concentrations of blood oxygen related values that are proportionally related to the amounts of venous and arterial blood in a portion of tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for using photoplethysmography to obtain physiological parameter information related to respiration or the autonomic nervous system. In one implementation, the process involves obtaining (602) a pleth, filtering (604) the pleth to remove unwanted components, identifying (606) a signal component of interest based on the filtered signal, monitoring (608) blood pressure changes, monitoring (610) heart rate, and performing (612) an analysis of the blood pressure signal to the heart rate signal to identify a phase relationship associated with the component of interest. Based on this phase relationship, the component of interest may be identified (614) as relating to the respiration or Mayer Wave. If it is related to the respiration wave (616), a respiratory parameter such as breathing rate may be determined (620). Otherwise, a Mayer Wave analysis (618) may be performed to obtain parameter information related to the autonomic nervous system.