12 United States Patent
`Bates et al
`
`10 Patent No.
`45 Date of Patent
`
`US 7945303 B2
`May 17 2011
`
`US007945303B2
`
`54 NONINVASIVE PULMONARY
`PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT METHOD
`AND SYSTEM
`
`75 Inventors
`
`Jason H. T. Bates Essex Junction VT
`US Charles G. Irvin Colchester VT
`US Lennart K. A. Lundblad Essex
`Junction VT US John
`Thompson-Figueroa Burlington VT
`US
`
`73 Assignee The University of Vermont and State
`Agricultural College Burlington VT
`US
`
`Notice
`
`Subject
`
`to any disclaimer the term of this
`is extended or adjusted under 35
`patent
`U.S.C. 154b by 1249 days.
`
`21 Appl. No. 11/197288
`
`22 Filed
`
`Aug. 3 2005
`
`65
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2006/0030770 Al
`
`Feb. 9 2006
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`60 Provisional
`3 2004.
`
`application No. 60/598583 filed onAug.
`
`51 Int. Cl.
`A61B 5/05
`
`2006.01
`
`U.S. Cl..........................
`600/407
`58 Field of Classification Search
`6001407-480
`600/300 301 310 322 323 324 547
`file for complete search history.
`
`6001300 6001310
`
`.........
`
`5273041 A
`5379777 A
`5680871 A
`5951476 A
`6175755 B1
`6298260 BI
`6352517 BI
`6580937 B2
`6723055 B2
`7094206 B2
`2004/0092815 Al
`
`12/1993
`
`111995
`
`Richards
`et a...............
`Lomask .......................
`1011997 Ganshorn
`Beach
`
`911999
`
`..........................
`
`....................
`
`112001
`
`1012001
`
`Hogg et al ...................
`Sontag et al..................
`312002 Flock et al....................
`Ho et al........................
`6/2003
`412004 Hoffman ......................
`8/2006 Hoffman
`Schweikard
`512004
`
`et al..........
`
`600/411
`
`128/716
`
`600/533
`
`600/437
`600/407
`
`600/413
`
`600/595
`
`600/415
`
`600/538
`
`6001425
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Mori et al. Accurate Contiguous Sections Without Breath-Holding
`on Chest CT Value of Respiratory Gating and Ultrafast CT 1994
`American Journal of Roentgenology vol. 162 1057-1062.
`et al. Estimation of Total Lung Capacity from Chest
`Schlesinger
`Radiography and Chest CT in Children Comparison with Body
`American Journal of Roentgenology vol.
`Plethysmography1995
`168181-1S4.
`
`cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner - Brian Casler
`Assistant Examiner - Nasir Shahrestani
`74 Attorney Agent or Firm- Downs Rachlin Martin
`PLLC
`
`57
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`a pulmonary
`
`A system and method for measuring
`mane value of a subject.
`In one embodiment
`a system
`includes one or more imaging devices each configured
`capture one or more images of a subject
`inside an interior
`chamber. An exemplary
`chamber
`such as a plethysmograph
`system also includes an imaging processor
`in communication
`with the one or more imaging devices for estimating a change
`from information about
`the one or
`in volume of the subject
`more images.
`
`to
`
`perfor-52
`
`See application
`
`56
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4383533 A
`5022261 A
`5178151 A
`
`et al ..............
`Lovelace
`5/1983
`611991 Wolfson et al
`Sackner
`1/1993
`
`.................
`
`.........................600/48
`
`6001437
`731149
`
`36 Claims 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`200
`
`ý
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`Z70
`
`210
`
`250
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`265
`
`275
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`210
`
`ý
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`212
`
`1
`
`--_.
`
`235
`
`2BT
`
`211
`
`.........
`
`225
`
`258
`
`2A0
`
`2ý
`
`21e
`1
`
`210
`
`230
`
`ýA1E
`
`S. Rocca CSR RMR CRR
`
`New York University Exhibit 2023
`ResMed Inc. v. New York University
`IPR2022-00989
`Page 1 of 14
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`May 17 2011
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`Sheet 1 of 6
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`US 7945303 B2
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`FIG. I
`
`150
`
`100
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`160
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`165
`
`170
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`110
`
`105
`
`120
`
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`May 17 2011
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`Sheet 2 of 6
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`US 7945303 B2
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`200
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`FIG. 2
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`260
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`265
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`250
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`275
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`212
`
`205
`
`2
`
`10
`
`ý
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`___
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`235
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`267
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`214
`
`ý.L
`
`------------------
`-
`
`230
`
`225
`
`216
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`255
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`280
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`285
`
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`May 17 2011
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`Sheet 3 of 6
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`US 7945303 B2
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`FIG. 3A
`
`FIG. 3B
`
`T I
`
`FIG. 3C
`
`FIG. 3D
`
`I
`
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`IPR2022-00989
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 17 2011
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`Sheet 4 of 6
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`US 7945303 B2
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`FIG. 4
`
`s/I
`
`//
`
`1
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`Added volume ml
`
`S
`
`0
`
`L
`
`E
`
`E 1
`
`W
`
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`IPR2022-00989
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 17 2011
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`Sheet 5 of 6
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`US 7945303 B2
`
`rm...o.ýeý.ýrýrý.wwý...r.ý..ýwn.ý
`
`..aawe...ýý.ýminwarnaw..craw....w.suwaav.ýxýawa.ne.
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`
`a
`
`B
`
`r
`
`o
`
`SF.
`
`tippuIiuIiI_uI
`
`FIG. 5A
`
`FIG. 5B
`
`New York University Exhibit 2023
`ResMed Inc. v. New York University
`IPR2022-00989
`Page 6 of 14
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`U.S. Patent
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`May 17 2011
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`Sheet 6 of 6
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`US 7945303 B2
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`FIG. 6
`
`I
`
`a
`
`0
`
`a
`
`a
`
`1.4
`
`1R2
`
`z
`E 1.0-.
`
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`
`E 0.8
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`0
`
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`
`0.4
`
`0.2
`
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`
`a
`
`-0.2
`
`0.0
`
`0.2
`
`0.4
`
`0.6
`
`0.8
`
`1.0
`
`1.2
`
`1.4
`
`True volume ml
`
`New York University Exhibit 2023
`ResMed Inc. v. New York University
`IPR2022-00989
`Page 7 of 14
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`

`US 7945303 B2
`
`1
`NONINVASIVE PULMONARY
`PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT METHOD
`AND SYSTEM
`
`2
`
`measurement ofthe pattern of breathing i.e. volume inspired
`per breath and rate of breathing.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`RELATED APPLICATION DATA
`
`5
`
`claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
`This application
`filed Aug. 3 2004
`Patent Application No. 601598583
`entitled Noninvasive Airway Resistance Measurement
`Method and System which is incorporated
`herein by refer-
`ence in its entirety.
`
`GOVERNMENT LICENSE RIGHTS
`
`The U.S. Government may have a paid-up license in this
`invention and the right in limited circumstances
`to require the
`patent owner
`to license others on reasonable terms as pro-
`vided for by the terms of Grant No. HL67273
`awarded by
`Institutes of Health.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`invention
`includes an imaging
`The system includes one or
`each of the one or more
`
`configured
`
`to capture one or
`
`as the
`
`in
`
`signal
`
`is
`
`One aspect of the present
`system for a plethysmograph.
`more imaging devices wherein
`imaging devices is operatively
`10 more images of a subject
`inside the plethysmograph
`subject breathes one or more gases and/or aerosols contained
`within the plethysmograph
`and operable to provide an output
`the one or more
`including information regarding
`images. The system also includes an imaging processor
`communication with the one or more imaging devices and
`to estimate a change in volume of the
`configured
`from the information.
`
`operatively
`
`subject
`
`invention includes a
`
`plethys-National
`
`invention
`
`generally relates to the field of pul-
`The present
`invention is 25
`In particular the present
`monary measurement.
`directed to a system and method for measuring pulmonary
`
`Another aspect of the present
`Zo mograph for a non-invasive
`pulmonary measurement of a
`subject. The plethysmograph
`includes
`a structure having an
`interior chamber
`for receiving the subject and for containing
`one or more gases. The plethysmograph
`also includes one or
`more imaging devices wherein
`each of the one or more
`imaging devices captures one or more images of the subject
`when positioned in the structure as the subject breathes the
`one or more gases and provides an output
`including
`signal
`information regarding the one or more images. Further the
`includes an imaging processor
`plethysmograph
`in
`cation with the one or more imaging devices so as to receive
`the output signal wherein the imaging processor estimates a
`change in volume of the subject using the information
`included in the output signal.
`Yet another aspect of the present
`
`communi-3o
`
`invention includes a
`
`35
`
`performance.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Changes in the caliber diameter of the airways of the lung
`a number of respiratory diseases and may
`may accompany
`for a patient. An example of
`have important consequences
`such a change is the airway narrowing
`that occurs during an
`attack of asthma when a subject may experience great
`the flow resis-
`difficulty in breathing. During such occasions
`tance of the airways increases substantially. Measuring
`
`this
`
`assessment of airway nar-
`thus gives a functional
`rowing and is therefore useful as a gauge of disease severity
`or the efficacy of treatment.
`There have been many studies of ways to measure airway
`animals. A star-
`resistance in both humans and experimental
`lard clinical method
`for measuring
`airway resistance
`
`in
`
`non-acute
`contain-resistance
`infor-humans
`
`invasive system for measuring changes in pulmonary airway
`resistance ofa subject. The system includes a structure having
`an interior chamber
`for receiving the subject and for
`ing one or more gases. Further the system includes a pressure
`sensor for measuring a pressure of the one or more gases. Still
`the system includes one or more imaging devices
`further
`wherein each of the one or more imaging devices captures one
`or more images of the subject as the subject breathes the one
`or more gases and provides an output signal
`the one or more images. Yet
`45 mation about
`further the system
`includes
`in communication
`with the
`an imaging processor
`one or more imaging devices so as to receive the output signal
`wherein the imaging processor estimates a change in volume
`of the subject using the information included
`in the output
`
`40
`
`including
`
`includes having a subject perform special breathing
`maneuvers while inside a closed chamber called a plethys-
`mograph. This type of procedure is often not possible with
`animals and young children e.g. those below
`experimental
`about 5 years of age. The other standard clinical test of lung
`function
`is to have the subject
`take a deep breath and then 50
`as possible. The amount of air exhaled in
`exhale as forceably
`a set period of time is sensitive to the presence of certain lung
`but
`is only loosely related to actual airway resis-
`tance. This approach again is difficult
`in animals and young
`in sedated infants by sub
`children although it
`is employed
`jectmg them to a whole-body squeeze designed to force air
`out ofthe lungs.
`In the case of animals the standard approach
`is to measure airway resistance using invasive procedures that
`procure the necessary pressure and flow signals. These meth-
`invariably either harm the animal or at
`ods are accurate but
`the very least place it under unnatural
`circumstances
`the resistance measurements obtained.
`likely affect
`There is thus a great need for a means of measuring
`airway resistance that is both convenient and noninvasive
`for
`use with all subjects including young humans and expert-
`mental animals. Such a method currently does not exist
`the widespread use of surrogates based purely on the
`
`resis-diseases
`
`signal.
`
`Still another aspect of the present
`method of measuring
`changes in pulmonary airway
`
`invention
`
`includes
`
`a
`
`the
`
`obtaining
`
`as the subject
`
`volume of the subject
`
`55
`
`60
`
`that
`
`tance of a subject. The method includes a enclosing
`subject and one or more gases within a compartment b
`one or more images of the subject
`breathes the one or more gases and c estimating a change in
`from the one or more images.
`invention includes a
`Still yet another aspect of the present
`The method
`method
`of retrofitting a plethysmograph.
`includes a positioning one or more imaging devices such
`that each of the one or more imaging devices is operatively
`to capture one or more images of a subject
`configured
`as the subject breathes one or more gases
`the plethysmograph
`65 contained within the plethysmograph
`and operable to provide
`information regarding the one or more images and b
`viding an imaging processor
`
`pro-despite
`
`inside
`
`in communication with the one
`
`New York University Exhibit 2023
`ResMed Inc. v. New York University
`IPR2022-00989
`Page 8 of 14
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`

`

`US 7945303 B2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`tially
`
`cylindrical
`
`in shape would have
`
`its
`
`image pixels
`
`or more imaging devices
`the imaging processor being for
`processing the information to estimate a change in volume of
`
`the subject.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`differ-For
`incor-FIG.
`
`differently by an algorithm than a cuboidally
`extrapolated
`the
`shaped subject. The algorithm may also take into account
`unifonnity or lack of uniformity of expansion of the subject
`5 during inspiration. Construction of such algorithms are well
`known to those of ordinary skill.
`In this example the
`ence in volume is correlated to a change in volume that
`indicative of a tidal volume VT. A tidal volume can be used
`with an inspiration plethysmographic
`pressure
`integral
`IPPI shown in Equation
`1 below to determine an airway
`resistance value RAW as shown by Lundblad L. et al. A
`reevaluation of the validity of unrestrained plethysmography
`in mice JAppl Physiol 931198-1207 2002 which is
`porated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety. The
`IPPI can be shown as follows.
`
`is
`
`1s
`
`of a system
`
`the purpose of illustrating the invention the drawings
`show a form of the invention
`that
`is presently preferred.
`However
`it should be understood that the present invention is
`not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities 10
`shown in the drawings wherein
`FIG. 1 shows one exemplary embodiment of a system
`according to the present
`invention
`2 shows an exemplary embodiment
`accordmg to the present
`invention
`FIG. 3A shows an example of an image of an object within
`a plethysmograph
`FIG. 3B shows another example of an image of an object
`within a plethysmograph
`FIG. 3C shows yet another example of an image of an 20
`object within a plethysmograph
`where Pbt is the pressure of the one or more gases in internal
`FIG. 3D shows still
`another example of an image of an
`110 relative to atmospheric pressure FRC is a
`chamber
`object within a plethysmograph
`and Vb is the volume of the one
`residual capacity
`FIG. 4 shows a plot of estimated volumes of an example
`that were estimated using a 25 or more gases within internal
`chamber 110.
`object within a plethysmograph
`A subject
`to be studied using a system according to the
`invention
`system according to the present
`FIG. 5A shows an example of an image of a mouse within
`invention such as system 100 may include any living
`present
`creature. Example subjects include but are not limited to an
`a plethysmograph
`FIG. 5B shows another example of an image of a mouse
`animal such as a laboratory animal a human and any
`In one example the subject is a human child.
`30 bination thereof.
`a plethysmograph and
`human
`In another example the subject
`FIG. 6 shows a plot of estimated volumes of an example
`is a non-ambulatory
`mouse within a plethysmograph
`In yet another example the subject
`versus actual volumes.
`
`IPPI
`
`J0
`
`Pbrdr
`
`VTR FRC
`
`yb
`
`1
`
`functional
`
`adult.
`
`is a laboratory
`
`com-within
`tem-chamber
`captur-110
`sub-ing
`compart-containing
`sil-the
`combi-provides
`cam-volume
`circum-In
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`mouse.
`The one or more gases according to the present
`invention
`35 may include any gas that alive subject is capable ofbreathing.
`include but are not
`Examples of such gases
`invention
`includes
`The present
`the use of an imaging
`limited to air
`oxygen and non-toxic mixtures of gases including oxygen.
`In
`device and an image processor
`to determine a change in
`one aspect one or more gases may be maintained
`volume measurement of a subject positioned in an interior
`at a
`perature that is about
`the temperature of a pulmonary airway
`of a structure that encloses the subject and one or
`more gases. The change in volume measurement may be used 40 of the subject.
`In another aspect one or more gases may be
`to calculate a pulmonary perfonnance value such as an air-
`maintained at a level of humidity that is about the humidity of
`a pulmonary airway ofthe subject.
`In yet another aspect both
`way resistance value.
`Referring now to FIG. 1 an exemplary embodiment of the
`the temperature and the humidity may be maintained.
`invention is illustrated. A system 100 includes a struc-
`An imaging device such as imaging device 150 according
`present
`to the present
`invention can be any device capable of
`ture 105 having an interior chamber 110.
`Interior chamber
`ing one or more images of a subject within a closed
`a subject not shown and
`for receiving
`is configured
`one or more gases
`ment such as internal chamber 110 from which an estimate
`therein. System 100 also
`The one or more
`of change in volume
`can be calculated.
`includes
`a pressure sensor 120 for detecting a pressure of the
`one or more gases within the interior chamber 110. An imag-
`images may include detailed information regarding the
`so ject at one or more points in time. The one or more images
`device 150 is positioned to capture an image of a subject
`may include a color image a black and white image a
`that is within interior chamber 110 while the subject breathes
`one or more gases. An imaging processor 160 is in com-
`houette of the subject an indication of a position of a marking
`on the subject such as a thoracic marking and any
`150.
`munication with imaging device
`Imaging device 150
`nations thereof. Example imaging devices include but are not
`signal 165 to imaging processor
`160.
`an output
`limited to a camera an x-ray imager and any combinations
`Output signal 165 includes information regarding the image
`In one example an imaging device includes
`a
`of the subject.
`Imaging processor 160 estimates a change in
`thereof.
`era. An imaging device may capture images at a certain rate
`of the subject using the information about a plurality
`on the
`that may be fixed or variable depending
`of images of the subject.
`In one example an imaging device has an image
`one example imaging device 150 captures a plurality of
`stances.
`images over time while the subject breathes the one or more 60 capture rate of about 48 frames per second fps. Faster image
`Each of the plurality of images shows
`acquisition capability may increase the reliability of a system
`a contrast
`gases.
`between the subject and the background.
`to estimate changes in volume of a subject as the subject
`Imaging processor
`160 uses an algorithm that compares the number of pixels
`breathes the one or more gases within internal chamber 110.
`An imaging device may also have any resolution capable of
`in one image to the number of pixels
`representing the subject
`65 producing one or more images that translate into a reasonably
`in another
`of the subject
`image. Depending on the estimated
`The resolution may
`shape of the subject the pixels are correlated to represent
`accurate volume
`change calculation.
`that is substan-
`volume of the subject. For example a subject
`the volume calculation.
`In one example the resolution
`
`45
`
`55
`
`a
`
`impact
`
`New York University Exhibit 2023
`ResMed Inc. v. New York University
`IPR2022-00989
`Page 9 of 14
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`US 7945303 B2
`
`5
`
`6
`
`of an image captured by an imaging device such as imaging
`device 150 impacts the number of pixels that may be used by
`In
`160 to calculate a change in volume.
`
`imaging processor
`example imaging device 150 includes
`a 1 mega-
`pixel black and white charged coupled device CCD cam-
`
`5
`
`a
`
`in
`
`device
`
`thereof. Referring
`
`calcula-devices
`
`be
`
`cham-another
`esti-more
`cham-example
`mod-ing
`mod-her
`pul-may
`
`thereof. An interior surface
`ity probes and any combinations
`such that it
`not shown of structure 105 may be configured
`to a subject within interior
`provides adequate contrast
`ber 110 when one or more images are captured by imaging
`device 150. In one example an interior surface may include a
`In another
`such contrast.
`material of a color that provides
`era.
`example a material not shown for providing contrast may
`System 100 shows one imaging device 150. However
`be positioned on or near a wall of structure 105.
`invention may
`to the present
`system and method according
`Imaging processor 160 may be any device capable of
`include a plurality of imaging devices for capturing one or
`10 mating a change in volume ofa subject within interior
`In one
`from different angles.
`images of a subject
`ber 110 from information representing one or more images of
`one imaging device is utilized to capture one or
`In one example an image processor may include
`more images of a subject
`the subject.
`that is substantially
`cylindrical
`In another
`an algorithm for estimating a change in volume.
`body form and has a substantially uniform expansion during
`example an image processor may include CT technology.
`intake and outtake of the one or more gases. Although one
`include but are not limited
`15 Examples of an image processor
`imaging device may be used with non-cylindrical subjects or
`a dedicated microprocessor
`to a general computing
`subjects that have non-uniform expansion during inspiration
`again to FIG. 1
`more than one camera may increase the reliability of an
`and any combinations
`In another example two imag-
`system 100 includes an optional pulmonary calculation
`estimate of change in volume.
`ule 170 in communication with imaging processor 160 and
`devices may be used in an orthogonal or other position
`20 pressure sensor 120. Although pulmonary calculation
`to the subject within internal chain-
`to each other with respect
`ule 170 is shown separate from imaging processor 160
`110 of structure 105. In one aspect imaging processor 160
`include computed tomography CT technology
`170 may alternatively
`module
`monary calculation
`for pro-
`cessing one or more images from each of the two imaging
`included within imaging processor 160. Pulmonary
`tion module 170 is configured to receive one or more change
`In
`for estimating
`a change in volume of the subject.
`in volume values from imaging processor 160 either by way
`yet another example three or more imaging devices may be 25
`used in conjunction with CT technology
`of internal communication within imaging processor 160 or
`to estimate a change
`as shown in FIG. 1. Pulmonary
`in volume of the subject. Any number of imaging devices may
`via an external connection
`calculation module 170 is also configured to process the one
`be used so long as an estimate of change in volume of a
`or more change in volume values to provide a pulmonary
`that is accurate enough for the particular purposes can
`subject
`In one example pulmonary calculation
`be ascertained from the one or more images captured by the 30 performance
`value.
`imaging device or devices. One or more imaging devices
`module 170 is also configured to receive one ormorepressure
`measurement values from pressure sensor 120 and to use the
`such as imaging device 150 may be positioned outside inte-
`one or more change in volume values with Equation 1 from
`nor chamber 110 as shown in FIG. 1 inside interior chamber
`110 or a combination of inside and outside interior chamber
`110.
`
`35
`
`above to calculate an airway resistance value.
`Although one or more embodiments herein show a system
`and/or method
`the
`an airway resistance
`for measuring
`invention may be used effectively
`for other
`present
`nary measurements of subjects where change in volume
`surements of the subject are needed. Examples of such other
`include but are not
`limited to and any
`
`pulmo-capable
`combi-to
`mea-therein.
`accord-to
`imag-one
`
`40 applications
`
`105 is shown in FIG. 1 as having a cubiodal
`Structure
`form that
`shape. Structure 105 may take any shape and/or
`is
`a subject and the one or more gases
`of enclosing
`The shape and size of structure 105 and the interior
`chamber 110 may depend on the size and shape ofthe subject
`be studied therein. Structure 105 maybe constructed ofany
`FIG. 2 illustrates
`another exemplary embodiment
`material or combination of materials that will allow a subject
`invention. System 200 includes a structure
`to be contained
`be received therein and one or more gases
`ing to the present
`205 having an interior chamber 210. Structure 205 includes a
`therein. At least one side of structure 105 should be config-
`first side 212 a second side 214 a third side 216 and a fourth
`ured to allow imaging device 150 to capture one or more 45
`side 218 respectively.
`Interior chamber 210 is configured for
`110.
`In one
`images of a subject within interior chamber
`receiving a subject and containing one or more gases therein.
`example a side of structure 105 includes a transparent mate-
`System 200 also includes a pressure sensor 220 for detecting
`therein to be visualized by an imag-
`that allows a subject
`rial
`a pressure of the one or more gases within interior chamber
`to capture an image of the subject
`ulg device positioned
`through that side. Where a plurality of imagining devices are 50 210. A first
`imaging device 250 is positioned to capture one or
`that is within interior chamber 210
`more images of a subject
`utilized more than one side of structure 105 may be con-
`structed ofa material that allows an imaging device to capture
`while the subject breathes the one or more gases. First
`first side 212. A
`or more images of a subject
`ing device 250 is positioned
`confronting
`therein.
`chamber. One
`105 may be a plethysmograph
`second imaging device 255 is positioned to capture one or
`55 more images of the subject
`is described in U.S.
`from a second angle. Second
`chamber
`example of a plethysmograph
`imaging device 255 is positioned
`second side
`Pat. No. 5379777 to Lomask which is incorporated herein
`confronting
`214. A first contrast assistance element 225 is positioned on
`by reference as if set forth in its entirety. However
`a variety of
`are known
`an interior surface 230 of third side 216. This positions first
`chamber configurations
`general plethysmograph
`received
`contrast assistance element 225 so that a subject
`to those ofordinary skill. Structure 105 may include a door a
`in 60 within interior chamber 210 would be between first
`hatch or other closeable opening not shown configured
`imaging
`device 250 and first contrast assistance element 225. A second
`one or more of its sides for allowing a subject
`to be received
`contrast assistance element 235 is positioned on an interior
`within interior chamber 110. Structure 105 may also include
`surface 240 of fourth side 218. This positions second contrast
`closeable ports not shown for a variety offunctions
`optional
`received within
`limited to venting interior chamber 110
`assistance element 235 so that a subject
`including but not
`65 nor chamber 210 would be between second imaging device
`an object such as water or food into interior chamber
`255 and second contrast assistance element 235. An imaging
`110 passing wires to monitoring devices within the chamber
`or tubes for delivering fluids inserting temperature or humid-
`processor 260 is in communication with imaging devices 250
`
`nations thereof.
`
`Structure
`
`inte-passing
`
`New York University Exhibit 2023
`ResMed Inc. v. New York University
`IPR2022-00989
`Page 10 of 14
`
`

`

`US 7945303 B2
`
`7
`
`8
`
`within interior chamber 210. Moisture
`
`regulation
`
`element
`
`5
`
`that
`
`pulmonary performance
`
`it
`
`15
`
`is beneficial
`
`is about
`
`20
`
`when using Equation 1 to calculate an airway resistance
`for the one or more gases in interior chamber 210
`to be saturated with moisture and to be maintained
`at a
`the same as that of the airway of a
`perature that
`subject within interior chamber 210.
`invention an
`In yet another embodiment of the present
`is provided. The
`imaging system for a plethysmograph
`ing system includes one or more imaging devices
`such as
`150 of FIG. 1. The imaging system also
`imaging device
`includes an imaging processor
`such as imaging processor
`160 in communication with the one or more imaging devices.
`25 Such a system may be used to retrofit an existing
`graph for estimating a change in volume of a subject
`by positioning one or more imaging devices to capture one or
`more images of the subject and providing information
`ing the one or more images to the imaging processor.
`
`and 255. First imaging device 250 provides an output signal
`265 to imaging processor 260. Second imaging device 255
`to structure 205 may be part
`285 may be an external element
`260.
`an output
`signal 267 to imaging processor
`of structure 205 or may be an internal element positioned
`provides
`Output signals 265 and 267 include information regarding the
`within interior chamber 210. Examples of a moisture
`or more captured images ofthe subject.
`Imaging proces-
`tion element
`include but are not
`limited to a wet gauze
`sor 260 estimates a change in volume of the subject using the
`placed within interior chamber 210 bubbling air through
`information about a plurality of images of the subject. By
`water a dessicant material and any combinations
`thereof.
`In
`utilizing information from two imaging devices and option-
`the moisture level of the one or more gases may be
`one aspect
`ally more imaging devices imaging processor
`260 may be
`maintained
`at a moisture level
`that is about the moisture level
`able to more accurately estimate the change in volume of the 10 of an airway of the subject.
`to maintain
`It may be beneficial
`subject within interior chamber
`210 while the subject
`humidity level and temperature of the one or more gases
`breathes the one or more gases therein. Change in volume
`those of the airway of a subject
`approximates
`for certain
`260 in the same
`may be calculated by imaging processor
`For example
`value calculations.
`manner
`imaging processor 160 estimates change in volume
`that imaging processor 260 takes into account one or
`except
`more images from each of first
`imaging device 250 and sec-
`imaging device 255.
`Pulmonary calculation module 270 receives one or more
`change in volume values from imaging processor 260. Pul-
`monary calculation module 270 is also in communication
`one or more pressure
`pressure sensor 220 for receiving
`the pressure of the one or more gases over
`values that reflect
`time. Pulmonary calculation module 270 processes the one or
`more change in volume
`values and one or more pressure
`values to calculate a pulmonary performance
`value such as
`airway resistance value. Pulmonary calculation module
`270 is in communication with an output device 275 for out-
`putting the pulmonary performance
`contrast assistance element such as contrast assistance
`
`regula-one
`tem-ond
`imag-with
`plethysmo-an
`regard-A
`inven-assistance
`orthogo-example
`nec-actively
`
`therein
`
`value.
`
`EXAMPLE 1
`
`30
`
`35
`
`elements 225 and 235 may include any material that provides
`to a subject within interior chamber 210 when one or
`contrast
`more images are captured by an imaging device
`such as
`In this example a system according to the present
`In one example a contrast
`imaging devices 250 and 255.
`tion was constructed
`and the system was calibrated using a
`element may be directly on a surface of structure
`205. This surface may be an interior surface as shown in FIG.
`finger of a latex glove to simulate a subject into and out of
`2 or may be an external surface where the side of structure
`which a known quantity of one or more gases was introduced.
`A cuboidal plethysmograph
`chamber with two clear
`In another
`210 is constructed of a transparent material.
`nal sides through which a subject mouse could be visualized
`a contrast assistance element may be positioned
`The two remaining sides incorporated
`near a side of structure 205. In yet another example a contrast
`was constructed.
`a
`to allow for controlled
`heating of the air within
`assistance element may be configured with a colored material
`40 water jacket
`chamber. A small amount of wet gauze
`another example a
`the plethysmograph
`In still
`that contrasts with the subject.
`could be placed inside the chamber
`for maintaining the
`element may include
`a material
`that
`essary level of humidity. A piezoresistive
`pressure transducer
`to increase contrast. Examples of a
`provides
`in communication with the interior chamber
`was configured
`contrast assistance element
`include but are not limited to an
`panel a coating an LED another back-
`45 of the plethysmograph
`electroluminescent
`lighting system and any combinations
`of the air within.
`A pair of one mega-pixel blackwhite CCD video cameras
`Referring again to FIG. 2 system 200 includes a tempera-
`were mounted in orthogonal viewing positions each directed
`tore regulation element 280 in communication with structure
`chamber. The
`at one of the clear sides of the plethysmograph
`205 for maintaining a predetermined
`temperature of the one
`or more gases within interior chamber
`50 cameras were distancedfrom the walls of the plethysmograph
`210. Temperature
`chamber so as to have their viewing areas completely filled by
`regulation element 280 may be configured to cool
`the one or
`each of the 50 mmx50 mm chamber walls giving a linear
`more gases heat the one or more gases or any combination
`spatial resolution at the chamber walls of 5%ooo0.05 mm. In
`280
`regulation element
`thereof. Examples of temperature
`order
`to provide good contrast betweenthe video image ofthe
`include but are not
`limited to a water jacket hot air blower
`55 mouse and the background
`the inside walls of the chamber
`and any combinations
`thereof. Temperature
`regulation
`ele-
`to structure 205 may be
`opposite each viewing wall were lined with an
`ment 280 may be an external element
`nescent panel Proto-KutTM available from BKL Inc. King
`of structure 205 ormay be an internal element positioned
`In one example one or more
`of Prussia Pa.
`that can be cut
`to any desired shape and
`within interior chamber 210.
`provide uniform illumination when excited by a small current
`side walls of structure 210 may be configured as double walls
`for allowing water of a predetermined
`temperature to flow 60 oscillating at 400 H