Coordinating musculoskeletal and cardiovascular hemodynamics

• US 10,478,708 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2015
• Issued: 11/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pulson, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Pulson, Inc.
• Inventors: Bleich, Jeffery Lee, Mannheimer, Paul David
• Primary Examiner(s): Ganesan, Sundhara M
• Application Number:
  US15/515,118
• Publication Number:
  US 20170216706A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,516 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0655 Tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/06 User-manipulated weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0023 the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0076 Rowing machines for conditioning the cardio-vascular system seats moving during exercise A63B22/0087; training appliances for rowing or sculling on boats A63B69/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0235 driven by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/04 with movable multiple steps , i.e. more than one step per limb, e.g. steps mounted on endless loops, endless ladders steppers with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0048
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/808 Microphones
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/062 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/085 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/305 used as a control parameter for the apparatus A63B2230/045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/405 : used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/605 : used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 : Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 : Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/00 : Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/288 : for artificial respiration or heart massage

Abstract

The present invention is generally directed to methods, systems, and computer program products for coordinating musculoskeletal and cardiovascular hemodynamics, and more directly to stationary and non-stationary exercise equipment that include adjustable behaviors and are used with repetitive activities. The equipment is adjusted automatically in real-time to alter the work output, cadence, and/or timing of the user'"'"'s physical activity in response to their monitored cardiovascular and musculoskeletal signals to achieve and maintain a targeted coordination of their heart and musculoskeletal pump cycle timing.

Claims

1. A method for synchronizing a rhythmic musculoskeletal activity cycle (“

MSKC”

) of a user exercising on an exercise apparatus with a rhythmic cardiac cycle (“

CC”

) of the user, the method comprising;

a first loop figured to repetitively;

detect a first signal feature representative of a CC timing of the user using a first detector, the first signal feature repeating at a heart rate of the user,

detect a second signal feature representative of an MSKC timing of the user using a second detector, the second signal feature repeating at a cadence of the user,

determine an actual timing relationship between the CC timing or first signal feature and the MSKC timing or second signal feature using a controller integrated into or coupled to the exercise apparatus,

determine a difference value between the actual timing relationship and a target timing relationship using the controller,

compute a relative timing correction value, and

adjust operations of the exercise apparatus as a function of the relative timing correction value and in response to a signal from the controller, wherein the operations of the exercise apparatus are adjusted to alter the MSKC timing of the user such that the magnitude of the difference value is reduced, and wherein adjusting the operations comprises adjusting a plurality of settings; and

a second loop configured to repetitively;

compute an actual heart rate of the user based on the CC timing or the first signal feature,

determine a second difference value between the actual heart rate and a target heart rate of the user,

compute a heart rate correction value, and

adjust operations of the exercise apparatus as a function of the heart rate correction value and in response to a second signal from the controller, wherein the operations of the exercise apparatus are adjusted to alter the actual heart rate of the user such that the magnitude of the second difference value is reduced, and wherein adjusting the operations comprises adjusting the plurality of settings,

wherein a response time of the second loop is configured to be greater than the first loop such that a likelihood of interference between the first loop and the second loop is reduced.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the exercise apparatus is a treadmill and adjusting the plurality of settings comprises adjusting both a speed and an incline of the treadmill.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein adjusting the plurality of settings comprises more than one of:

(a) a change in speed;

(b) a change in resistance;

(c) a change in incline;

(d) a change in stride length;

(e) a change in stroke length;

(f) a change in crank length;

(g) a change in frequency of a repetitive motion; and

(h) a change in gearing.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an input from the user via the controller and providing an output to the user via the controller.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying, with the controller, the target timing relationship.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein identifying the target timing relationship comprises performing an empirical calibration for a particular user, the empirical calibration comprising:

exposing the user to at least two different CC to MSKC timing relationships;

using signals from a detector and a processor to measure a physiologic response in the user exposed to the at least two different timing relationships; and

using the controller to select the target timing relationship based on the physiologic response.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining an adjustment value at preselected intervals, wherein the exercise apparatus adjusts operations based on the adjustment value received at each interval.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of settings are adjusted to maintain a target value or range of values for at least one of a heart rate and a work output of the user.

9. A system that synchronizes a rhythmic musculoskeletal activity cycle (“

MSKC”

) of a user exercising on an exercise apparatus with a rhythmic cardiac cycle (“

CC”

) of the user, the system comprising;

a first detector for detecting a first signal feature representative of a CC timing of the user, the first signal feature repeating at a heart rate of the user;

a second detector for detecting a second signal feature representative of an MSKC timing of the user, the second signal feature repeating at a cadence of the user; and

a controller integrated into or coupled to the exercise apparatus, the controller comprising a processor configured to;

perform a first loop repetitively, comprising;

determine an actual timing relationship between the CC timing or first signal feature and the MSKC timing or second signal feature, and

determine a difference value between the actual timing relationship and a target timing relationship,

wherein the controller is configured to adjust operations of the exercise apparatus to alter the MSKC timing of the user to reduce the magnitude of the difference value, wherein adjusting operations comprises adjusting a plurality of settings; and

perform a second loop repetitively, comprising;

determine an actual heart rate of the user based on the CC timing or the first signal feature, and

determine a second difference value between the actual heart rate and a target heart rate of the user,

wherein the controller is further configured to adjust operations of the exercise apparatus to alter the actual heart rate of the user to reduce the magnitude of the second difference value, wherein adjusting operations comprises adjusting a plurality of settings,

wherein a response time of the second loop is configured to be greater than the first loop such that a likelihood of interference between the first loop and the second loop is reduced.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to continually receive CC timing data from the first detector and MSKC timing data from the second detector, and in response to the CC timing data and the MSKC timing data, the controller is configured to determine the difference value, determine an adjustment value, and transmit the adjustment value to the exercise apparatus at preselected intervals to continually and in real-time cause the exercise apparatus to adjust operations based on the adjustment value received at each interval.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the exercise apparatus is selected from a group consisting of:

(a) a treadmill;

(b) an elliptical machine;

(c) a stationary bike;

(d) a stair-stepper;

(e) a rowing machine;

(f) a ski machine;

(g) weight or other resistance-based strength trainer;

(h) a bicycle; and

(i) a device for assisting with ambulation.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein adjusting the plurality of settings comprises more than one of:

(a) a change in speed;

(b) a change in resistance;

(c) a change in incline;

(d) a change in stride length;

(e) a change in stroke length;

(f) a change in crank length;

(g) a change in frequency of a repetitive motion; and

(h) a change in gearing.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller includes a user interface through which the user provides input to the controller and receives output from the controller.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the first detector is selected from a group consisting of:

(a) an ECG lead;

(b) a photoplethysmography sensor, (c) an impedance plethysmography sensor (d) a video camera;

(e) a microphone; and

(f) an ultrasound transducer.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the second detector is selected from a group consisting of:

(a) accelerometer;

(b) switch;

(c) strain gauge;

(d) a gyroscope;

(e) a video camera; and

(f) a proximity sensor.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to identify the target timing relationship, and wherein the target timing relationship is set by the controller based on an empirical calibration.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the empirical calibration comprises:

exposing the user to at least two distinct CC to MSKC timing relationships;

using signals from a detector to measure a physiologic response in the user exposed to the at least two distinct CC to MSKC timing relationships; and

using the controller to select the target timing relationship based on the physiologic response.

18. The system of claim 9, wherein the exercise apparatus is configured to receive the difference value from the controller and adjust operations to alter the MSKC timing of the user in response to the difference value.

19. The system of claim 9, wherein the exercise apparatus is a treadmill and adjusting a plurality of settings comprises adjusting a speed and an incline of the treadmill.

20. The system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of settings are adjusted to maintain a target value or range of values for at least one of a heart rate and a work output of the user.