INCENTIVE SPIROMETRY AND NON-CONTACT PAIN REDUCTION SYSTEM

• US 20100305466A1
• Filed: 07/01/2010
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Engineered Vigilance, LLC
• Original Assignee: Engineered Vigilance, LLC
• Inventors: CORN, Stephen B.
• Application Number:
  US12/829,346
• Publication Number:
  US 20100305466A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/538
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence

Abstract

A non-contact mechanism for encouraging and facilitating incentive spirometry, ensuring that it is performed adequately, in a timely manner, and for a sufficient duration is discussed. The embodiments also quantitatively and qualitatively keep a record of the incentive spirometry activity, including recording the performance in an electronic medical record. A non-contact monitoring system is used to generate a breathing waveform for a subject that may be compared to target waveforms. Visual and non-visual cues may then be provided to the subject to help guide the subject towards the desired breathing pattern.

Claims

1. A non-contact monitoring system for monitoring incentive spirometry exercises, comprising:

a respiratory waveform detection module, the respiratory waveform detection module performing non-contact monitoring of a subject performing incentive spirometry exercises, the respiratory waveform detection module generating a waveform based on detected respiratory motion of the subject;

an analysis module programmatically analyzing the generated waveform based on a stored target waveform indicative of a target respiratory motion for an incentive spirometry exercise; and

a biofeedback module providing biofeedback to the subject to assist the subject in obtaining or maintaining the target waveform, the biofeedback based on a result of the analyzing of the generated waveform.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a display, the display used to provide the biofeedback in the form of a display of at least one of the generated waveform and the target waveform.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the display of the generated waveform is accompanied by audible or visual instructions for the subject to increase or decrease a depth of breathing so as to attain the target waveform.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a display, the display used to provide the biofeedback in the form of a display of an intermediate waveform that represents a waveform between the generated waveform and the target waveform.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an auditory module that is used as an adjunct or to provide feedback in the form of audio transmissions detectable by the subject.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the respiratory waveform detection module and the analysis module communicate over a network.

7. An integrated non-contact monitoring apparatus for monitoring incentive spirometry exercises, comprising:

a respiratory waveform detection module, the respiratory waveform detection module performing non-contact monitoring of a subject performing incentive spirometry exercises, the respiratory waveform detection module generating a waveform based on detected respiratory motion of the subject;

an analysis module programmatically analyzing the generated waveform based on a stored target waveform indicative of a target respiratory motion for an incentive spirometry exercise;

a biofeedback module providing biofeedback to the subject to assist the subject in obtaining or maintaining the target waveform, the biofeedback based on a result of the analyzing of the generated waveform; and

a display surface, the display surface used to provide the biofeedback in the form of at least one of a display of the generated waveform and the target waveform.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

an auditory module that is used to provide feedback in the form of audio transmissions detectable by the subject.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the respiratory waveform detection module monitors the subject using radiated energy.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the respiratory waveform detection module monitors the subject using ultrasound.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the respiratory waveform detection module monitors the subject using laser detection means.

12. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the respiratory waveform detection module monitors the subject using infrared or radio frequency transmissions.

13. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the display of the generated waveform is accompanied by audible or visual instructions for the subject to increase or decrease a depth of breathing so as to attain the target waveform.

14. A method for performing non-contact monitoring of incentive spirometry exercises, comprising:

performing non-contact monitoring of a subject performing an incentive spirometry exercise to detect respiratory motion of the subject;

generating programmatically a waveform based on the detected respiratory motion;

analyzing programmatically the generated waveform based on a stored target waveform indicative of a target respiratory motion for an incentive spirometry exercise; and

providing biofeedback to the subject to assist the subject in obtaining or maintaining the target waveform, the biofeedback based on a result of the analyzing of the generated waveform.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

providing the biofeedback in the form of a display of at least one of the generated waveform and a target waveform.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

conveying instructions for the subject to increase or decrease a depth of breathing so as to attain the target waveform.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

providing the biofeedback in the form of a display of an intermediate waveform that represents a waveform between the generated waveform and the target waveform.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

providing feedback in the form of an audio or visual transmission detectable by the subject.

19. A physical computer-readable medium holding computer-executable instructions for performing non-contact monitoring of incentive spirometry exercises, the instructions when executed causing one or more devices to:

perform non-contact monitoring of a subject performing an incentive spirometry exercise to detect respiratory motion of the subject;

generate programmatically a waveform based on the detected respiratory motion;

analyze programmatically the generated waveform based on a stored target waveform indicative of a target respiratory motion for an incentive spirometry exercise; and

provide biofeedback to the subject to assist the subject in obtaining or maintaining the target waveform, the biofeedback based on a result of the analyzing of the generated waveform.

20. The medium of claim 19 wherein the execution of the instructions further causes the one or more devices to:

provide the biofeedback in the form of a display of at least one of the generated waveform and the target waveform.

21. The medium of claim 20 wherein the execution of the instructions further causes the one or more devices to:

convey instructions for the subject to increase or decrease a depth of breathing so as to attain the target waveform.

22. The medium of claim 19 wherein the execution of the instructions further causes the one or more devices to:

provide the biofeedback in the form of a display of an intermediate waveform that represents a waveform between the generated waveform and the target waveform.

23. The medium of claim 19 wherein the execution of the instructions further causes the one or more devices to:

provide feedback in the form of an audio or visual transmission detectable by the subject.