Neural networks and wavelet analysis in the computer interpretation of pulse oximetry data

Pulse oximeters determine the oxygen saturation level of blood by measuring the light absorption of arterial blood. The sensor consists of red and infrared light sources and photodetectors. A method based on neural networks and wavelet analysis is developed for improved saturation estimation in the presence of sensor motion. Spectral and correlation functions of the dual channel oximetry data are used by a backpropagation neural network to characterize the type of motion. Amplitude ratios of red to infrared signals as a function of time scale are obtained from the multiresolution wavelet decomposition of the two-channel data. Motion class and amplitude ratios are then combined to obtain a short-time estimate of the oxygen saturation level. A final estimate of oxygen saturation is obtained by applying a 15 s smoothing filter on the short-time measurements based on 3.5 s windows sampled every 1.75 s. The design employs two backpropagation neural networks. The proposed algorithm is numerically efficient and has stable characteristics with a reduced false alarm rate with a small loss in detection.