Automatic wheeze detection based on auditory modelling

Qiu, Y., Whittaker, A.R., Lucas, M.L. and Anderson, K. (2005) Automatic wheeze detection based on auditory modelling. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine, 219(3), pp. 219-227. (doi: 10.1243/095441105X28551)

Abstract

Automatic wheeze detection has several potential benefits compared with reliance on human auscultation: it is experience independent, an automated historical record can easily be kept, and it allows quantification of wheeze severity. Previous attempts to detect wheezes automatically have had partial success but have not been reliable enough to become widely accepted as a useful tool. In this paper an improved algorithm for automatic wheeze detection based on auditory modelling is developed, called the frequency- and duration-dependent threshold algorithm. The mean frequency and duration of each wheeze component are obtained automatically. The detected wheezes are marked on a spectrogram. In the new algorithm, the concept of a frequency- and duration-dependent threshold for wheeze detection is introduced. Another departure from previous work is that the threshold is based not on global power but on power corresponding to a particular frequency range. The algorithm has been tested on 36 subjects, 11 of whom exhibited characteristics of wheeze. The results show a marked improvement in the accuracy of wheeze detection when compared with previous algorithms.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Breath sounds, wheezes, spectrogram, auditory modelling
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Whittaker, Dr Arthur and Lucas, Professor Margaret
• Authors: Qiu, Y., Whittaker, A.R., Lucas, M.L., and Anderson, K.
• Subjects: T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine
• Publisher: Professional Engineering Publishing
• ISSN: 0954-4119
• ISSN (Online): 2041-3033
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2005 Professional Engineering Publishing
• First Published: First published in Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine 219(3):219-227
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher