METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MAINTAINING A STATE IN A SUBJECT

• US 20110015468A1
• Filed: 03/05/2009
• Published: 01/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Johnson, Mark Thomas, Aarts, Ronaldus Maria
• Granted Patent: US 9,610,035 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/26
• 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 5/02405 Determining heart rate variability
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/352 Detecting R peaks, e.g. for synchronising diagnostic apparatus; Estimating R-R interval
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0022 by the tactile sense, e.g. vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0055 with electric or electro-magnetic fields
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0066 with heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0083 especially for waking up
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/00 Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/06 Heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/42 Rate

Abstract

A method of maintaining a state in a subject comprises measuring one or more physiological parameters of the subject, calculating, using the measured parameter(s), a value, determining if the calculated value is below a lower threshold or above an upper threshold, and generating an output to the subject if the calculated value is determined to be below the lower threshold or above the upper threshold. In one embodiment, the generating an output to the subject comprises generating a first output if the calculated value is determined to be below the lower threshold and generating a second output if the calculated value is determined to be above the upper threshold, the second output being different from the first output.

Claims

1. A method of maintaining an affective state in a subject (12) comprising:

measuring one or more physiological parameters of the subject (12),

calculating, using the measured parameter(s), a value (26) representing a relaxation state of the subject (12),

determining if the calculated value (26) is below a lower threshold (20) or above an upper threshold (22), wherein the lower threshold (20) represents the lower limit that the subject (12) is allowed to reach and at which the subject (12) becomes too relaxed and wherein the upper threshold (22) represents the maximum alertness that the subject (12) is permitted and at which the subject (12) becomes too aroused, and

generating an output to the subject (12), comprising generating a first output for initiating to reduce relaxation if the calculated value (26) is determined to be below the lower threshold (20) and generating a second output for initiating to increase relaxation if the calculated value (26) is determined to be above the upper threshold (22), the second output being different from the first output.

3. The method according to claim 1, and further comprising mapping the one or more measured physiological parameters of the subject (12) to a scale (24) and wherein the calculated value (26) comprises a value (26) on the scale (24).

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the generated output comprises direct physical feedback to the subject (12).

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the relaxation state is controlled by breathing guidance.

2. (canceled)

5. A system for maintaining an affective state in a subject (12) comprising:

one or more sensors (14) arranged to measure one or more physiological parameters of the subject (12),

a processor (16) arranged to calculate, using the measured parameter(s), a value (26) representing a relaxation state of the subject (12), and to determine if the calculated value (26) is below a lower threshold (20) or above an upper threshold (22), wherein the lower threshold (20) represents the lower limit that the subject (12) is allowed to reach and at which the subject (12) becomes too relaxed and wherein the upper threshold (22) represents the maximum alertness that the subject (12) is permitted and at which the subject (12) becomes too aroused, and

one or more output devices (18) arranged to generate an output to the subject (12), wherein the output device(s) (18) is/are arranged to generate a first output for initiating to reduce relaxation if the calculated value (26) is determined to be below the lower threshold (20) and to generate a second output for initiating to increase relaxation if the calculated value (26) is determined to be above the upper threshold (22), the second output being different from the first output.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the processor (16) is arranged to map the one or more measured physiological parameters of the subject (12) to a scale (24) and wherein the calculated value (26) comprises a value (26) on the scale (24).

8. The system according to claim 5, wherein an output device (18) is arranged to provide direct physical feedback to the subject (12).

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein an output device (18) comprises a belt (18a) for engaging the subject'"'"'s (12) body and a tightening device (40) arranged to control the tightness of the belt (18a).

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein an output device (18) comprises a portion of a seat (18b) for the subject (12).

11. The system according to claim 8, wherein an output device (18) comprises a portion of a steering wheel (18c) for the subject (12).

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein said output device (18) is arranged to output a vibration.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein said output device (18) is arranged to output a heat pulse.

14. The system according to claim 8, wherein an output device (18) comprises an air conditioning system (18d) and a control device arranged to control the air conditioning system (18d).

16. The system according to claim 5, wherein the relaxation state is controlled by using a breathing guidance system.

6. (canceled)