Step Rate Optimization Device

• US 20100189209A1
• Filed: 06/02/2008
• Published: 07/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aortic Wrap Pty Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Atcor Medical Pty Ltd (CardieX Ltd.)
• Inventors: O'Rourke, Michael F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,439,844 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 377/24.200
• 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 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4001 Arrangements for attaching the exercising apparatus to the user's body, e.g. belts, shoes or gloves specially adapted therefor weights worn on the user's body A63B21/065; exoskeletons in general B25J9/0006, for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about A61H3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/04 heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers

Abstract

A step rate optimization device (12). The device includes a timer, a pedometer, an arterial waveform sensor (24), a processor and an indicator (16). The timer is adapted to measure a predetermined period of time and issue a first signal indicative thereof. The pedometer is adapted to measure the number of a user'"'"'s steps over the predetermined period of time and issue a second signal indicative thereof. The arterial waveform sensor (24) is adapted to issue a third signal indicative of the user'"'"'s arterial pulse waveform over the predetermined period of time. The processor is adapted to receive said first, second and third signals and determine and issue a fourth signal indicative of the user'"'"'s dominant stride rate frequency, the user'"'"'s dominant pulse rate waveform frequency and the interaction of the user'"'"'s dominant stride rate frequency and the user'"'"'s dominant pulse rate waveform frequency in the range of approximately 0-8 Hz. The indicator (16) is adapted to indicate to the user (10) a display indicative of a substantially sub-optimal relationship between the user'"'"'s pulse rate and stride rate when the fourth signal indicates the user'"'"'s dominant stride rate frequency to be at about 2-3 Hz and having a larger amplitude than the component of the user'"'"'s dominant pulse waveform frequency at about 4-7 Hz and a display indicative of a substantially optimal relationship between the user'"'"'s pulse rate and stride rate when the fourth signal indicates the user'"'"'s dominant stride rate frequency component to be at about 4-7 Hz and having a larger amplitude than the component of the user'"'"'s dominant pulse waveform frequency at about 2-3 Hz.

Claims

1. A step rate optimization device, the device comprising:

a timer adapted to measure a predetermined period of time and issue a first signal indicative thereof;

a pedometer adapted to measure the number of a user'"'"'s steps over the predetermined period of time and issue a second signal indicative thereof;

an arterial waveform sensor adapted to issue a third signal indicative of the user'"'"'s arterial pulse waveform over the predetermined period of time;

a processor adapted to receive said first, second and third signals and determine and issue a fourth signal indicative of the user'"'"'s dominant stride rate frequency, the user'"'"'s dominant pulse rate waveform frequency and the interaction of the user'"'"'s dominant stride rate frequency and the user'"'"'s dominant pulse rate waveform frequency in the range of approximately 0-8 Hz; and

an indicator adapted to indicate to the user a display indicative of a substantially sub-optimal relationship between the user'"'"'s pulse rate and stride rate when the fourth signal indicates the user'"'"'s dominant stride rate frequency to be at about 2-3 Hz and having a larger amplitude than the component of the user'"'"'s dominant pulse waveform frequency at about 4-7 Hz and a display indicative of a substantially optimal relationship between the user'"'"'s pulse rate and stride rate when the fourth signal indicates the user'"'"'s dominant stride rate frequency component to be at about 4-7 Hz and having a larger amplitude than the component of the user'"'"'s dominant pulse waveform frequency at about 2-3 Hz.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third signal is indicative of the user'"'"'s arterial pulse waveform frequency and amplitude over the predetermined period of time.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicator is adapted to indicate to the user a display indicative of a substantially sub-optimal relationship between the user'"'"'s pulse rate and stride rate when the fourth signal indicates the user'"'"'s dominant stride rate frequency to be at about 3 Hz and having a larger amplitude than the component of the user'"'"'s dominant pulse waveform frequency at about 6 Hz and a display indicative of a substantially optimal relationship between the user'"'"'s pulse rate and stride rate when the fourth signal indicates the user'"'"'s dominant stride rate frequency component to be at about 6 Hz and having a larger amplitude than the component of the user'"'"'s dominant pulse waveform frequency at about 3 Hz.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is further adapted to determine that the amplitude of the user'"'"'s dominant pulse waveform whilst in the optimal relationship is minimal compared to the amplitude of the user'"'"'s dominant pulse waveform whilst in the sub-optimal relationship.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the processor is further adapted to determine that the amplitude of the user'"'"'s dominant pulse waveform whilst in the optimal relationship is less than about 33% of the amplitude of the user'"'"'s dominant pulse waveform whilst in the sub-optimal relationship.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicator is a visual indicator.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the visual indicator is a display screen adapted to signal a sub-optimal or optimal relationship.

8. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the visual indicator is a differently colored pair of lights each adapted to signal a sub-optimal or optimal relationship respectively.

9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicator is an aural indicator.

10. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the aural indicator is an ear-piece or other speaker.

11. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user'"'"'s arterial pulse waveform is measured at the upper body or an upper limb.

12. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the user'"'"'s arterial pulse waveform is measured by a photo plethysmograph.

13. The device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the user'"'"'s arterial pulse waveform is measured by the photo plethysmograph on a finger.

14. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user'"'"'s arterial pulse waveform is measured by an arterial tonometer.

15. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the user'"'"'s arterial pulse waveform is measured by the arterial tonometer on a wrist.

16. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein pressure, flow or diameter signals are used to determine the user'"'"'s arterial pulse waveform frequency and amplitude.

17. The device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the processor determines the fourth signal by frequency spectrum analysis of the user'"'"'s arterial pulse waveforms.

18. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined period of time is about 30 seconds.

19. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display includes modulus of frequency components over a range of 0.02-8.0 Hz.

20. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is adapted to continuously measure the predetermined period of time and continuously issue the display indicative of the relationship between the user'"'"'s heart rate and stride rate.

21. A method for indicating an optimal step rate to a user, the method comprising the following steps:

a. measuring a predetermined period of time and issuing a first signal indicative thereof;

b. measuring the number of the user'"'"'s steps over the predetermined period of time and issuing a second signal indicative thereof;

c. sensing the user'"'"'s arterial waveform and issuing a third signal indicative of the user'"'"'s arterial pulse waveform over the predetermined period of time; and

d. processing said first, second and third signals and determining and issuing a fourth signal indicative of the user'"'"'s dominant stride rate frequency, the user'"'"'s dominant pulse rate waveform frequency and the interaction of the user'"'"'s dominant stride rate frequency and the user'"'"'s dominant pulse rate waveform frequency in the range of approximately 0-8 Hz;

e. indicating to the user a display indicative of a sub-optimal relationship between the user'"'"'s pulse rate and stride rate when the fourth signal indicates the user'"'"'s dominant stride rate frequency to be at about 2-3 Hz and having a larger amplitude than the component of the user'"'"'s dominant pulse waveform frequency at about 4-7 Hz; and

f. indicating to the user a display indicative of a substantially optimal relationship between the user'"'"'s pulse rate and stride rate when the fourth signal indicates the user'"'"'s dominant stride rate frequency component to be at about 4-7 Hz and having a larger amplitude than the component of the user'"'"'s dominant pulse waveform frequency at about 2-3 Hz.

22. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein Step c. includes issuing the third signal indicative of the user'"'"'s arterial pulse waveform frequency and amplitude over the predetermined period of time.

23. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein Step e. comprises indicating to the user a display indicative of a sub-optimal relationship between the user'"'"'s pulse rate and stride rate when the fourth signal indicates the user'"'"'s dominant stride rate frequency to be at about 3 Hz and having a larger amplitude than the component of the user'"'"'s dominant pulse waveform frequency at about 6 Hz, and step f. preferably comprises indicating to the user a display indicative of a substantially optimal relationship between the user'"'"'s pulse rate and stride rate when the fourth signal indicates the user'"'"'s dominant stride rate frequency component to be at about 6 Hz and having a larger amplitude than the component of the user'"'"'s dominant pulse waveform frequency at about 3 Hz.

24. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the method further comprises determining that the amplitude of the user'"'"'s dominant pulse waveform whilst in the optimal relationship is minimal compared to the amplitude of the user'"'"'s dominant pulse waveform whilst in the sub-optimal relationship.

25. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the method further comprises determining that the amplitude of the user'"'"'s dominant pulse waveform whilst in the optimal relationship is less than about 33% of the amplitude of the user'"'"'s dominant pulse waveform in the sub-optimal relationship.

26. The method as claimed in claim 21 wherein the user'"'"'s indication is from a visual indicator

27. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein the visual indicator is a display screen adapted to signal a sub-optimal or optimal condition.

28. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein the visual indicator is a differently colored pair of lights each adapted to signal a sub-optimal or optimal condition respectively.

29. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the indication is from an aural indicator

30. The method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the aural indicator is an ear-piece or other speaker.

31. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the processing step determines the fourth signal by frequency spectrum analysis of the user'"'"'s arterial pulse waveforms.

32. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the predetermined period of time is about 30 seconds.

33. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the display includes modulus of frequency components over a range of 0.02-8.0 Hz.

34. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the method further comprises continuously measuring the predetermined period of time and continuously issuing the display indicative of the relationship between the user'"'"'s heart rate and stride rate.