Cough/sneeze analyzer and method
First Claim
1. A method of differentiating between a cough and a sneeze of a test subject within a plethysmograph test chamber comprising:
- a) measuring changes in the air pressure within the chamber during an event that is a cough or a sneeze; and
b) comparing the pressure changes against criteria indicative of a cough to determine the likelihood that the event is a cough instead of a sneeze.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cough event is differentiated from a sneeze event of a test subject enclosed within a plethysmograph test chamber by measuring air pressure changes during the event, and comparing the pressure changes against criteria indicative of a cough to determine the likelihood that the event is a cough. Air pressure changes are recorded as pressure and/or sound values. A graphical record of a waveform of changes in the air pressure during an event relative to a baseline value is recorded, and a value is calculated that is indicative of the likelihood that the event is a cough based on the sizes of areas between the waveform and baseline during the event, said areas including a first area indicative of the change in air pressure during air inspiration, a second area indicative of the change in air pressure during air compression, and a third area indicative of the change in air pressure during expiration.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of differentiating between a cough and a sneeze of a test subject within a plethysmograph test chamber comprising:
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a) measuring changes in the air pressure within the chamber during an event that is a cough or a sneeze; and
b) comparing the pressure changes against criteria indicative of a cough to determine the likelihood that the event is a cough instead of a sneeze. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of differentiating between a cough and a sneeze of a test subject within a plethysmograph test chamber comprising:
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a) measuring the size of the areas between the waveform and baseline during the event b) measuring the time between waveform crossing certain thresholds; and
c) comparing the sizes and times of threshold crossings of the measured areas against criteria indicative of a cough to determine the likelihood that the event is a cough instead of a sneeze. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of differentiating between a cough and a sneeze of a test subject within a plethysmograph test chamber comprising:
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a) graphing a waveform of changes in the air pressure within the chamber during an event that is a cough or a sneeze relative to a baseline measurement;
b) measuring the size of the areas between the waveform and baseline during the event, said areas include a first area V1 indicative of the change in air pressure during air inspiration, a second area V2 indicative of the change in air pressure during air compression, and a third area V3 indicative of the change in air pressure during expiration;
c) computing the parameter V2wc to adjust for weight of the test subject by the formula V2wc=1000•
V2/WT
where WT is the weight of the test subject; and
d) determining a volume possibility value fzyV2wc for the event by the formula
V2a and V2b are constants, and V2wcCrispness equals ______, said volume possibility value being indicative of the likelihood that the event is a cough. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for differentiating between a cough event and a sneeze event of a test subject comprising:
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a) a plethysmograph having a test chamber for enclosing said test subject;
b) a measurement means for measuring air pressure changes within said chamber;
c) a recorder for recording changes measured by said measurement means; and
d) a processor with installed software capable of calculating a value based on the pressure changes during an event indicative of the likelihood that the event is a cough. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification