Method and system for improving vascular systems in humans using biofeedback and network data communication

• US 20020183599A1
• Filed: 06/05/2002
• Published: 12/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alexander Francis Castellanos 2002 Trust
• Original Assignee: Alexander F. Castellanos
• Inventors: Castellanos, Alexander F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,074,183 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02007 Evaluating blood vessel condition, e.g. elasticity, compliance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/022 by applying pressure to close blood vessels, e.g. against the skin; Ophthalmodynamometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7275 Determining trends in physiological measurement data; Predicting development of a medical condition based on physiological measurements, e.g. determining a risk factor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/06 Measuring blood flow measuring volume flow in general G01F, e.g. G01F1/66, G01F1/72; measuring speed of fluids in general G01P5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/565 involving data transmission via a network
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/50 for simulation or modelling of medical disorders
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/60 relating to pathologies

Abstract

Methods for treating vascular disease in humans and generating data representing treatment plans are disclosed. A first set of clinical vascular health data from a healthcare provider and representing a vascular health condition of a patient is received at a data center server that is communicatively coupled to a public data network. One or more vascular disease analysis algorithms are applied to the first set of vascular health data, to result in creating and storing an initial treatment plan for the patient. A second set of vascular health data is received from a monitoring device that is associated with the patient and that is communicatively coupled to the data network; the second set of data include Doppler monitor data obtained from the peripheral vascular system of the patient. One or more vascular analysis algorithms are applied to result in creating one or more supplementary treatment plans for the patient. At least one of the treatment plans includes a biofeedback interaction. The treatment plans are provided to the patient over the data network. The foregoing steps are iteratively repeated one or more times as determined by the physician and patient, resulting in improved vascular health.

Claims

1. A method of treating vascular disease in humans, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

(a) receiving, at a data center server that is communicatively coupled to a public data network, a first set of clinical vascular health data from a healthcare provider and representing a vascular health condition of a patient;

(b) applying one or more vascular disease analysis algorithms to the first set of vascular health data, to result in creating and storing an initial treatment plan for the patient;

(c) receiving a second set of vascular health data from a monitoring device that is associated with the patient and that is communicatively coupled to the data network, wherein the second set of vascular health data includes data from a Doppler vascular monitor;

(d) applying one or more vascular analysis algorithms to result in creating one or more supplementary treatment plans for the patient, wherein at least one of the treatment plans includes a biofeedback interaction component;

(e) providing the treatment plans to the patient over the data network;

(f) iteratively repeating steps (c), (d) and (e) one or more times as determined by the patient.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the initial treatment plan includes a biofeedback interaction component.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the monitoring device includes a Doppler vascular monitor.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving data representing a selection, by the healthcare provider, of one or more parameter values that modify operation of one or more of the vascular disease analysis algorithms.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the initial treatment plan or the subsequent treatment plans comprise performing a biofeedback interaction using a client system of the patient.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein step (c) further comprises displaying a multimedia vascular disease educational program to the patient.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein step (c) further comprises the steps of generating and displaying, on the patient client system, a graphical representation of a vascular system anatomical element that is animated based on real-time data that is received from the patient using the monitoring device.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein step (c) further comprises the steps of generating and displaying, on the patient client system, a graphical representation of vascular wall movement that is animated based on real-time data that is received from the patient using the monitoring device.

9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein step (c) further comprises the steps of generating and graphically displaying, on the patient client system, one or more waveforms representing real-time patient physiological data received from the monitoring device.

10. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the monitoring device includes a Doppler vascular monitor that monitors vascular functions of the patient by attachment to locations proximate to a peripheral vascular system of the patient, and wherein step (c) comprises the steps of generating and performing sound corresponding to data received from the Doppler vascular monitor.

11. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the monitoring device includes a pulse monitor and wherein step (c) further comprises the steps of generating and graphically displaying one or more pulse waveforms corresponding to real-time pulse data received from the monitoring device.

12. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the monitoring device includes a blood pressure monitor and wherein step (c) further comprises the steps of generating and graphically displaying one or more blood pressure waveforms corresponding to real-time blood pressure data received from the monitoring device.

13. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises the steps of receiving a weight value or body mass index value as part of the second set of vascular health data.

14. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving one or more third sets of vascular health data from the monitoring device before, during or after an exercise regimen performed by the patient;

applying one or more vascular analysis algorithms to the third sets of vascular health data to result in generating a further supplemental treatment plan for the patient.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, further comprising the steps of generating and graphically displaying, on the patient client system, one or more waveforms representing real-time patient physiological data received from the monitoring device before, during or after the exercise regimen performed by the patient.

16. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving patient nutritional data representing one or more nutritional habits then currently followed by the patient; and

applying one or more dietary analysis algorithms based on the nutritional data and the vascular health data, to result in generating a nutritional plan for the patient.

17. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving, from a video camera associated with the patient that is communicatively coupled to the data network, one or more sets of video data representing images of the patient performing one or more of the treatment plans;

providing the one or more sets of video data to the healthcare provider over the public data network; and

receiving, from the healthcare provider, one or more modifications to the treatment plans based on analysis of the video data by the healthcare provider.

18. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving, from a digital still frame camera associated with the patient that is communicatively coupled to the data network, one or more digital images of the patient performing one or more of the treatment plans;

providing the one or more digital images to the healthcare provider over the public data network; and

receiving, from the healthcare provider, one or more modifications to the treatment plans based on analysis of the digital images by the healthcare provider.

19. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

determining, based on the vascular health data or the second set of vascular health data, one or more risk values associated with the patient and one or more advisory recommendations based on the risk values; and

communicating the risk values and advisory recommendations to the healthcare provider and the patient over the public data network.

20. A method as recited in claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether the risk value is greater than a specified threshold associated with high risk;

when the risk value is greater than the specified threshold, then generating and communicating, to the healthcare provider and the patient over the public data network, a recommendation for the patient to consult with a healthcare provider in lieu of performing the treatment plans.

21. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving one or more third sets of vascular health data from the monitoring device before, during or after an administration of cardiovascular medication to the patient;

applying one or more vascular analysis algorithms to the third sets of vascular health data to result in generating a further supplemental treatment plan for the patient.

22. A method of generating digital data representing one or more plans for treating vascular disease in humans, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:

(a) receiving, at a data center server that is communicatively coupled to a public data network, a first set of clinical vascular health data from a healthcare provider and representing a vascular health condition of a patient;

(b) applying one or more vascular disease analysis algorithms to the first set of vascular health data, to result in creating and storing an initial treatment plan for the patient;

(c) receiving a second set of vascular health data from a monitoring device that is associated with the patient and that is communicatively coupled to the data network, wherein the second set of vascular health data includes data from a Doppler vascular monitor;

(d) applying one or more vascular analysis algorithms to result in creating one or more supplementary treatment plans for the patient, wherein at least one of the treatment plans includes a biofeedback interaction component;

(e) providing the treatment plans to the patient over the data network;

(f) iteratively repeating steps (c), (d) and (e) one or more times as determined by the patient.

23. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions for generating digital data representing one or more plans for treating vascular disease in humans, which instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to carry out the steps of:

(a) receiving, at a data center server that is communicatively coupled to a public data network, a first set of clinical vascular health data from a healthcare provider and representing a vascular health condition of a patient;

(b) applying one or more vascular disease analysis algorithms to the first set of vascular health data, to result in creating and storing an initial treatment plan for the patient;

(c) receiving a second set of vascular health data from a monitoring device that is associated with the patient and that is communicatively coupled to the data network, wherein the second set of vascular health data includes data from a Doppler vascular monitor;

(d) applying one or more vascular analysis algorithms to result in creating one or more supplementary treatment plans for the patient, wherein at least one of the treatment plans includes a biofeedback interaction component;

(e) providing the treatment plans to the patient over the data network;

(f) iteratively repeating steps (c), (d) and (e) one or more times as determined by the patient.

24. An apparatus for generating digital data representing one or more plans for treating vascular disease in humans, comprising:

first means for receiving, at a data center server that is communicatively coupled to a public data network, a first set of clinical vascular health data from a healthcare provider and representing a vascular health condition of a patient;

means for applying one or more vascular disease analysis algorithms to the first set of vascular health data, to result in creating and storing an initial treatment plan for the patient;

second means for receiving a second set of vascular health data from a monitoring device that is associated with the patient and that is communicatively coupled to the data network, wherein the second set of vascular health data includes data from a Doppler vascular monitor;

means for applying one or more vascular analysis algorithms to result in creating one or more supplementary treatment plans for the patient, wherein at least one of the treatment plans includes a biofeedback interaction component;

means for iteratively repeatedly activating the second receiving means, applying means, and providing means one or more times as determined by the patient.

25. An apparatus for generating digital data representing one or more plans for treating vascular disease in humans, comprising:

a network interface that is coupled to the data network for receiving one or more packet flows therefrom;

a processor;

one or more stored sequences of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to carry out the steps of;

receiving, at a data center server that is communicatively coupled to a public data network, a first set of clinical vascular health data from a healthcare provider and representing a vascular health condition of a patient;

(b) applying one or more vascular disease analysis algorithms to the first set of vascular health data, to result in creating and storing an initial treatment plan for the patient;

(c) receiving a second set of vascular health data from a monitoring device that is associated with the patient and that is communicatively coupled to the data network, wherein the second set of vascular health data includes data from a Doppler vascular monitor;

(d) applying one or more vascular analysis algorithms to result in creating one or more supplementary treatment plans for the patient, wherein at least one of the treatment plans includes a biofeedback interaction component;

(e) providing the treatment plans to the patient over the data network;

(f) iteratively repeating steps (c), (d) and (e) one or more times as determined by the patient.