Breathing pattern identification for respiratory function assessment

Abstract

What is disclosed is a system and method for identifying a patient's breathing pattern for respiratory function assessment without contact and with a depth-capable imaging system. In one embodiment, a time-varying sequence of depth maps are received of a target region of a subject of interest over a period of inspiration and expiration. Once received, the depth maps are processed to obtain a breathing signal for the subject. The subject's breathing signal comprises a temporal sequence of instantaneous volumes. One or more segments of the subject's breathing signal are then compared against one or more reference breathing signals each associated with a known pattern of breathing. As a result of the comparison, a breathing pattern for the subject is identified. The identified breathing pattern is then used to assess the subject's respiratory function. The teachings hereof find their uses in an array of diverse medical applications. Various embodiments are disclosed.