Timer for breathing exercises

• US 20040224822A1
• Filed: 05/05/2004
• Published: 11/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Johann Brandt Verheem
• Original Assignee: Johann Brandt Verheem
• Inventors: Verheem, Johann Brandt
• Application Number:
  US10/839,998
• Publication Number:
  US 20040224822A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/02 for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/185 Rhythm indicators

Abstract

Disclosed is an electronic timer device that provides the user with audible, visible or sensory signals indicating when to inhale, when to exhale and when to hold breath during breathing exercises. The length of each inhalation, exhalation and holding of breath can be modified and the ratio between inhaling, exhaling and holding breath can be modified to provide breathing exercises with various different physiological benefits.

Claims

1. An electronic timer device, compromising:

A device with electronic components allowing the user to receive an audible, visible or sensory signal, or any combination of these signals, indicating when to inhale, when to exhale and when to hold breath.

2. The electronic timer device of claim 1 where the device is adapted to enable the user to wear the device on his or her body.

3. The electronic timer device of claim 1 where the device is adapted so that the user can wear the device around his or her wrist.

4. The electronic timer device of claim 1 where the device is adapted so that the user can wear the device around his or her midsection.

5. The electronic timer device of claim 1 where the device is adapted so that the user can wear the device around one of his or her ankles.

6. The electronic timer device of claim 1 where the device is adapted to provide different perceivable signals to the user for inhaling, exhaling and holding breath during breathing exercises.

7. The electronic timer device of claim 1 where the device is adapted to provide the perceivable signals to the user for inhaling, exhaling and holding breath during breathing exercises by means of one or more lights.

8. The electronic timer device of claim 1 where the device is adapted to provide the perceivable signals to the user for inhaling, exhaling and holding breath during breathing exercises by means of two or more different colored lights (1, 2 and 3)

9. The electronic timer device of claim 1 where the device is adapted to provide the perceivable signals to the user for inhaling, exhaling and holding breath during breathing exercises by means of two or more different sounds transmitted through a speaker.

10. The electronic timer device of claim 1 where the device is adapted to provide the perceivable signals to the user for inhaling, exhaling and holding breath during breathing exercises by means of three different visual indicators displayed on a LCD screen.

11. The electronic timer device of claim 2 where the device is adapted to provide the perceivable signals to the user for inhaling, exhaling and holding breath during breathing exercises by means of one or more mechanically activated pressure points (10 and 11) protruding and retracting from the device where it touches the human skin, thereby providing the user with sensory feedback on when to inhale and for how long to inhale, when to exhale and for how long to exhale and when to hold breath and for how long to hold breath.

12. The electronic timer device of claim 2 where the device is adapted to provide the perceivable signals to the user for inhaling, exhaling and holding breath during breathing exercises by means of one or more low voltage electrical currents touching the user'"'"'s skin, thereby providing the user with sensory feedback on when to inhale and for how long to inhale, when to exhale and for how long to exhale and when to hold breath and for how long to hold breath.

13. The electronic timer device of claim 1 where the user can adjust the length of time of each signal indicating inhaling, exhaling and holding breath.

14. The electronic timer device of claim 8 where the user can adjust the length of time that each signal, provided by at least one light, lasts.

15. The electronic timer device of claim 8 where the user can adjust the length of time that each signal, provided by two or more lights, lasts.

16. The electronic timer device of claim 9 where the user can adjust the length of time that each signal, provided by sound generated by the speaker (7), lasts.

17. The electronic timer device of claim 10 where the user can adjust the length of time that each visual instruction, provided by LCD display (6), lasts.

18. The electronic timer device of claim 11 where the user can adjust the length of time that each pressure signal, provided by mechanical pressure points (10 and 11), lasts.

19. The electronic timer device of claim 12 where the user can adjust the length of time that each signal, provided by the low voltage electrical current, lasts.

20. The electronic timer device of claim 1 where the user can adjust the ratio between the length in time of the signals providing instructions to inhale, exhale and hold breath.

21. The electronic timer device of claim 7 where the user can adjust the ratio between the length in time of the signals provided by at least one light providing instructions to inhale, exhale and hold breath.

22. The electronic timer device of claim 8 where the user can adjust the ratio between the length in time of the signals provided by 2 or more lights indicating when to inhale, exhale and hold breath.

23. The electronic timer device of claim 9 where the user can adjust the ratio between the length in time of the signals provided by 2 or more differentiated sounds from the speaker (7) indicating when to inhale, exhale and hold breath.

24. The electronic timer device of claim 10 where the user can adjust the ratio between the length in time of the signals provided by LCD display (6) indicating when to inhale, exhale and hold breath.

25. The electronic timer device of claim 11 where the user can adjust the ratio between the length in time of the signals provided by 2 or more pressure points making contact with the user'"'"'s skin, indicating when to inhale, exhale and hold breath.

26. The electronic timer device of claim 12 where the user can adjust the ratio between the length in time of the signals provided one or more low voltage electrical currents indicating when to inhale, exhale and hold breath.

27. The electronic timer device of claim 1 where the user can adjust the ratio between the length in time of the signals providing instructions to inhale, exhale and hold breath.

28. The electronic timer device of claim 1 where the user can adjust the ratio between the length in time of the signals providing instructions to inhale, exhale and hold breath.

29. The electronic timer device of claim 1 that has an on and off power switch to initiate or terminate signals for breathing exercises.

30. The electronic timer device of claim 1 that provides for automatic turn off after an amount of time has expired from turning on the device.

31. The electronic timer device of claim 1 that incorporates the functions of time of day and date typically found in wrist watches.