„Catch Your Breath“ is a novel interactive audiovisual biofeedback system developed at Stanford University’s Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA). Initially designed to assist patients during 4D computed tomography (CT) scans, this system uses musical cues to help regulate breathing, thereby reducing motion-induced image distortion.
Bridging Music with Medical Technology
This system originated from a collaboration with Stanford’s Department of Radiation Oncology. It aims to mitigate the imaging artifacts in lung cancer diagnostics caused by irregular breathing patterns. By tracking the patient’s breathing through a webcam and a reflective cube, the system synchronizes a musical accompaniment to the patient’s breath cycle. The music adjusts in real time, encouraging patients to breathe steadily to harmonize the melody with the accompaniment. This method has shown potential in increasing the accuracy of 4D-CT scans.
From Medical Equipment to Museum Installation
Adapting the technology for public interaction, the project evolved into a museum installation. Here, visitors wear a pendant embedded with an IR sensor that tracks their breathing. The system adjusts the tempo of a stored musical piece—selected from classical and Baroque repertoire—according to the wearer’s breathing pattern. This setup not only makes the installation accessible but also engaging, allowing users to control the music with their breath, promoting relaxation and slow, regular breathing patterns.
Technical Insights and Future Directions
The hardware of „Catch Your Breath“ includes an inexpensive webcam modified with a slide film as an ambient light filter, highlighting the simplicity and accessibility of the technology. The software, developed in Max/MSP with Jitter, calculates the breathing cycle, adjusting the music’s tempo in real-time through MIDI sequencers.
As the project moves forward, the team at CCRMA plans to refine the system’s responsiveness and explore its potential on portable devices, making relaxation and therapeutic techniques more accessible to a broader audience.
Conclusion:
„Catch Your Breath“ is more than a technical innovation; it’s a bridge between art and science, making complex technology accessible and useful in everyday settings. This project not only exemplifies interdisciplinary collaboration but also illustrates how creative applications of technology can have broad and meaningful impacts, from medical diagnostics to public installations that enhance well-being.
