Apparatus and method for monitoring heart rate variability

• US 20050177051A1
• Filed: 02/25/2005
• Published: 08/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Respite LLC
• Original Assignee: Quiescent, Inc.
• Inventors: Almen, Adam J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,460,899 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/509
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02405 Determining heart rate variability
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02455 provided with high/low alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/398 Electrooculography [EOG], e.g. detecting nystagmus; Electroretinography [ERG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4812 Detecting sleep stages or cycles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4815 Sleep quality
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices

Abstract

A wrist-worn or arm band worn heart rate variability monitor is provided. Heart rate variability (“HRV”) refers to the variability of the time interval between heartbeats and is a reflection of an individual'"'"'s current health status. Over time, an individual may use the results of HRV tests to monitor either improvement or deterioration of specific health issues. Thus, one use of the HRV test is as a medical motivator. When an individual has a poor HRV result, it is an indicator that they should consult their physician and make appropriate changes where applicable to improve their health. If an individual'"'"'s HRV results deviate significantly from their normal HRV, they may be motivated to consult their physician. In addition, the inventive monitor is capable of monitoring the stages of sleep by changes in the heart rate variability and can record the sleep (or rest) sessions with the resulting data accessible by the user or other interested parties. Alternate embodiments of the invention allow assistance in the diagnosis and monitoring of various cardiovascular and sleep breathing disorders and/or conditions. Other embodiments allow communication with internal devices such as defibrillators or drug delivery mechanisms. Still other embodiments analyze HRV data to assist the user in avoiding sleep.

Claims

1. A wrist or arm worn heart rate variability monitor, comprising:

at least one sensor embedded in a membrane for detecting heart rate signals generated within a body when placed in contact with the body, wherein the sensor is capable of monitoring signals selected from the group consisting of optical, infra-red, pressure, ultrasonic and electrical signals;

a circuit that conditions the electrical signals and converts the analog signals to digital signal data;

a heart rate variability signal processor that monitors and analyzes the digital signal data and obtains heart rate variability data therefrom;

an alarm that may be activated to alert the user of abnormal conditions or events; and

a memory capable of storing the real time digital signal data.

2. The heart rate variability monitor of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one piezoelectric sensor.

3. The heart rate variability monitor of claim 1, further wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one micro electromechanical sensor.

4. The heart rate variability monitor of claim 1 , further comprising the at least one sensor being selected from the group consisting of electrode sensors, optical sensors, cMUT sensors and piezoelectric sensors.

5. The heart rate variability monitor of claim 1, further comprising:

a transceiver for two-way communication with an internal device, wherein the alarm may be activated upon communication of a significant event to the transceiver by the internal device.

6. The heart rate variability monitor of claim 5, wherein the internal device communicates diagnostic data to the heart rate variability monitor.

7. The heart rate variability monitor of claim 5, further comprising communicating to the internal device that the significant event is permitted to occur, not permitted to occur, or permitted to occur but only after a period of time has passed.

8. The heart rate variability monitor of claim 5, wherein the internal device is a defibrillator and the significant event comprises defibrillation.

9. The heart rate variability monitor of claim 5, wherein the internal device is a drug delivery system and the significant event comprises delivery of the drug.

10. The heart rate variability monitor of claim 9, wherein the drug delivery system comprises an insulin pump and the significant event comprises delivery of insulin.

11. The heart rate variability monitor of claim 1, wherein the processor is capable of analyzing HRV data to determine when the user is entering the beginning stages of sleep and activating the alarm to ensure the user remains awake.

12. The heart rate variability monitor of claim 4, further comprising the monitor having a back surface;

and a conductive membrane comprising metal rubber disposed on the back surface of the monitor and contacting the at least one sensor and further having contact with the user'"'"'s skin.

13. The heart rate variability monitor of claim 4, further comprising an infra-red sensor, wherein the infra-red sensor monitors heart rate variability.

14. The heart rate variability monitor of claim 1, wherein the processor is capable of using the infra-red and/or optical signals to perform pulse oximetry analysis.

15. The heart rate variability monitor of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor monitors blood oxygen levels to assist in diagnosing, monitoring or treating diseases, conditions or maladies.

16. The heart rate variability monitor of claim 1, further comprising a memory device.

17. A method for sleep avoidance, comprising:

providing a wrist or arm worn heart rate variability monitor;

analyzing the heart rate variability (HRV) data from the monitor;

detecting from the HRV data when the user is entering early stages of sleep; and

alarming user to withdraw from early sleep stages.

18. A method for communication with an internal device with a heart rate variability monitor, comprising:

providing a heart rate variability monitor to a user having an internal device;

communicating from internal device to monitor that a significant event is planned to occur;

alarming the user with monitor alarm that the significant event is going to occur so that the user may plan accordingly.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

displaying a decision regarding the significant event;

determining via user direction whether the internal device may continue with the significant event, discontinue the significant event, or delay the significant event for a period of time; and

communicating the user determination to the internal device.

20. A method for detecting or assisting in the diagnosis of medical conditions, comprising:

providing a heart rate variability monitor;

conducting a heart rate variability (HRV) test;

analyzing the HRV data obtained during the HRV test; and

detecting patterns that coincide with at least one medical condition.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the analyzing comprises evaluating the HRV data for patterns.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the at least one medical condition is a cardiovascular disease or condition.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the at least one medical condition is a precursor to a cardiovascular disease or sleep breathing disorder.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the sleep breathing disorder is sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the precursor to SIDS is cardiomyopathy.

26. A method for ensuring patient'"'"'s heart function is within a treatable range, comprising:

providing a heart rate variability monitor;

conducting a heart rate variability (HRV) test;

analyzing the HRV data obtained during the HRV test; and

determining based on the HRV data whether the patient'"'"'s heart function is within a range that allows treatment of a condition.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the treatment comprises exercising.

28. A method for taking a nap of selected duration, comprising:

providing a wrist or arm worn heart rate variability monitor;

establishing a heart rate threshold;

analyzing the heart rate variability data from the monitor during the nap;

detecting from the data that the heart rate threshold has been exceeded; and

waking the user.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

establishing a nap duration; and

waking the user upon exceeding the heart rate threshold or the nap duration, whichever event occurs first.