SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NON-INVASIVE PHYSIOLOGICAL MONITORING OF NON-HUMAN ANIMALS

• US 20080255468A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adidas AG
• Original Assignee: Adidas AG
• Inventors: Derchak, P. Alexander, Ostertag, Kathryn Lynn, Myers, Lance Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 7,762,953 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/529
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 29/005 Monitoring or measuring activity, e.g. detecting heat or mating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/40 Animals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• 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 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/335 using integrated circuit memory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests

Abstract

This invention provides monitoring garments for non-invasively monitoring physiological parameters in un-restrained and/or restrained animals, such as monkeys, rabbits, dogs, horses, and the like. The invention also includes methods and systems for collecting and processing monitoring data and methods for recognizing apneas and other respiratory events, periods of restfulness and wakefulness, stereotypical behavior and other indicators of dysphoric states, periods of emesis, and occurrence of barking and coughing.

Claims

1. A method of identifying emesis in an animal comprising:

receiving monitoring data from the animal comprising signals reflecting abdominal (AB) sizes and signals reflecting rib cage (RC) sizes, the AB and RC signals varying with respiratory motions;

searching for a pattern in the AB and RC signals comprising

an increase in average AB sizes from baseline and a decrease in average RC sizes from baseline, the increase and decrease occurring abruptly within a few breaths and persisting for several breaths,

an decrease in average AB sizes towards baseline and an increase in average RC sizes towards baseline, the increase and decrease occurring abruptly within a few breaths, and

one or more synchronous and breath-like changes in AB and RC sizes, the amplitude RC sizes change being greater than a baseline; and

identifying a period of emesis when this pattern is found.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the initial increase in average AB sizes and decrease in average RC sizes occurs in less than or about 5 breaths, and wherein such changes in size persist for at least 10 breaths.

3. A method of identifying cough in an animal comprising:

receiving monitoring data from the animal comprising signals reflecting abdominal (AB) sizes, signals reflecting rib cage (RC) sizes, the AB and RC signals varying with respiratory motions, and signals reflecting vocalizations;

searching for a pattern in the AB, RC, and vocalization signals comprising

an inspiratory period with a substantially steady inspiration rate and lasting for a period of time,

an expiratory period with a substantially steady expiratory rate and lasting for a period of time, wherein the inspiratory time is greater than the expiratory time and the inspiratory rate is lower than the expiratory rate,

a vocalization occurring during expiration; and

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the ratio of the inspiratory time to the expiratory time is at least 2.

5. A method of identifying bark in a barking animal comprising:

receiving monitoring data from the animal comprising signals reflecting abdominal (AB) sizes, signals reflecting rib cage (RC) sizes, the AB and RC signals varying with respiratory motions, and signals reflecting vocalizations;

searching for a pattern in the AB, RC, and vocalization signals comprising

an inspiratory period with a substantially steady inspiration rate and lasting for a period of time,

an expiratory period lasting for a period of time, wherein the expiratory time is greater than the inspiratory time,

a vocalization occurring throughout expiration; and

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the ratio of the expiratory time to the inspiratory time is at least 3.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the barking animal is a canine or a seal.