Method And System For Monitoring Physiological And Athletic Performance Characteristics Of A Subject

• US 20110054272A1
• Filed: 08/26/2010
• Published: 03/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adidas AG
• Original Assignee: Adidas AG
• Inventors: DERCHAK, P. Alexander
• Granted Patent: US 9,326,705 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0223 Magnetic field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0003 Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation

Abstract

The present invention is directed to systems and methods for monitoring characteristics of a subject. A system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a sensor subsystem including at least one respiratory sensor disposed proximate to the subject and configured to detect a respiratory characteristic of the subject, wherein the sensor subsystem is configured to generate and transmit at least one respiratory signal representing the respiratory characteristic, and at least one physiological sensor disposed proximate to the subject and configured to detect a physiological characteristic of the subject, wherein the sensor subsystem is configured to generate and transmit at least one physiological signal representing the physiological characteristic, and a processor subsystem in communication with the sensor subsystem, the processor subsystem being configured to receive at least one of the at least one respiratory signal and the at least one physiological signal.

Claims

1. A fitness monitoring system for monitoring a subject engaged in a physical activity, the system comprising:

a sensor subsystem including a first sensor and a second sensor, wherein the first and second sensors are responsive to changes in distance therebetween, wherein the sensor subsystem is configured to generate and transmit a distance signal representative of the distance between the first and second sensors; and

a physiological sensor configured to generate and transmit a physiological signal representative of a physiologic parameter of the subject; and

a processor subsystem in communication with the sensor subsystem and the physiological sensor, the processor subsystem being configured to receive the distance signal and the physiological signal, wherein the processor subsystem is configured to process the physiological signal to obtain a signal that is representative of a physiological parameter of the subject.

2. The fitness monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is configured to be secured to the skin of the subject.

3. The fitness monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is adhered to the skin by a biocompatible adhesive.

4. The fitness monitoring system of claim 3, wherein the second sensor is configured to be secured to the skin of the subject.

5. The fitness monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the first and second sensors comprise magnetometers.

6. The fitness monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the physiological sensor is configured to monitor at least one of electrical activity of the brain, electrical activity of the heart, pulse rate, blood oxygen saturation level, skin temperature, EMG, ECG, EEG, and core temperature.

7. The fitness monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising a monitoring subsystem configured to receive the distance signal, wherein the processor subsystem is configured to process the distance signal to obtain a signal that is representative of a respiratory parameter, and wherein the monitoring subsystem is configured to display a representation of the respiratory parameter.

8. The fitness monitoring system of claim 7, wherein the processor subsystem comprises a plurality of stored respiratory benchmarks, and wherein the processor subsystem is further configured to compare the respiratory parameter to the plurality of stored respiratory benchmarks and to generate and transmit a status signal in response to a determination that the respiratory parameter corresponds to one of the stored respiratory benchmarks.

9. The fitness monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of stored respiratory benchmarks comprise at least one of adverse fitness states and fitness goals.

10. The fitness monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the processor subsystem is further configured to determine a respiratory activity of the subject based on the distance signal and to generate and transmit a respiratory activity signal representative of the respiratory activity.

11. The fitness monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the processor subsystem comprises a plurality of stored physiological benchmarks, and wherein the processor subsystem is further configured to compare the physiological parameter to the stored physiological benchmarks and to generate and transmit a status signal in response to a determination that the physiological parameter corresponds to one of the stored physiological benchmarks.

12. A fitness monitoring system for monitoring a subject engaged in a physical activity, the system comprising:

a sensor subsystem comprising;

a first sensor and a second sensor, wherein the first and second sensors are responsive to changes in distance therebetween, wherein the sensor subsystem is configured to generate and transmit a distance signal representative of the distance between the first and second sensors; and

a third sensor, wherein the third sensor is a spatial sensor configured to detect movement of the subject, wherein the sensor subsystem is configured to generate and transmit a spatial signal representative of a movement of a body part of the subject; and

a processor subsystem in communication with the sensor subsystem, the processor subsystem being configured to receive the distance signal and the spatial signal.

13. The fitness monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the first and second sensors comprise magnetometers.

14. The fitness monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the spatial sensor is configured to detect the orientation of a body part of the subject, and wherein the spatial signal includes representative of the orientation of the body part.

15. The fitness monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the first and second sensors are configured to be secured directly to the subject'"'"'s skin.

16. The fitness monitoring system of claim 15, wherein the first and second sensors are configured to be secured to the skin by surgical tape.

17. The fitness monitoring system of claim 15, wherein the first and second sensors are configured to be secured to the skin by a biocompatible adhesive

18. The fitness monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the sensor subsystem comprises a plurality of sensors responsive to changes in distance therebetween.

19. The fitness monitoring system of claim 18 wherein the sensor subsystem is configured to generate and transmit a plurality of distance signals, and wherein each distance signal is representative of a distance between at least two magnetometers.

20. The fitness monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the spatial sensor includes at least one of an optical encoder, a proximity switch, a Hall effect switch, a laser interferometry system, an inertial sensor, and a global positioning system.

21. The fitness monitoring system of claim 12, further comprising a monitoring subsystem, wherein the processor subsystem is configured to process the distance signal to obtain a signal that is representative of a respiratory parameter, and wherein the monitoring subsystem is configured to display a representation of the respiratory parameter.

22. The fitness monitoring system of claim 21, wherein the processor subsystem comprises a plurality of stored respiratory benchmarks, and wherein the processor subsystem is further configured to compare the respiratory parameter to the plurality of stored respiratory benchmarks and to generate and transmit a status signal in response to a determination that the distance signal corresponds to one of the stored respiratory benchmarks.

23. The fitness monitoring system of claim 22, wherein the plurality of stored respiratory benchmarks comprises at least one of adverse fitness states and fitness goals.

24. The fitness monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the processor subsystem is further configured to determine a respiratory activity of the subject based on the distance signal, and to generate and transmit a respiratory activity signal representative of the respiratory activity.

25. The fitness monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the processor subsystem comprises a plurality of stored spatial benchmarks, and wherein the processor subsystem is further configured to compare the spatial signal to the plurality of stored spatial benchmarks, and to generate and transmit a status signal in response to a determination that the spatial signal corresponds to one of the stored spatial benchmarks.

26. The fitness monitoring system of claim 25, wherein the plurality of stored spatial benchmarks comprises at least one of adverse fitness states and fitness goals.

27. The fitness monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the processor subsystem is further configured to determine a fitness activity of the subject based on the spatial signal, and to generate and transmit a fitness activity signal representative of the fitness activity.

28. The fitness monitoring system of claim 14, wherein the processor subsystem is further configured to generate a three-dimensional spatial model of the orientation and movement of the subject based on the spatial signal.

29. A method for monitoring a subject engaged in a physical activity, the method comprising:

generating a distance signal representative of the distance between a first sensor and a second sensor and transmitting the respiratory signal to a processor subsystem, wherein the respiratory signal is generated by a sensor subsystem, wherein the first and second sensors are responsive to changes in distance therebetween;

generating a spatial signal representative of an orientation of a body part of the subject and transmitting the spatial signal to the processor subsystem; and

receiving the respiratory signal and the spatial signal at the processor subsystem.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising generating a physiological signal representative of a physiological parameter of the subject and transmitting the physiological signal to a processor subsystem;

31. The method of claim 29, further comprising displaying a representation of the respiratory parameter.

32. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

processing the respiratory signal to obtain a signal which is representative of a respiratory parameter of the subject, and comparing the respiratory parameter to a plurality of stored respiratory benchmarks; and

generating and transmitting a status signal in response to a determination that the respiratory parameter corresponds to one of the stored respiratory benchmarks.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the plurality of stored respiratory benchmarks comprise at least one of adverse fitness states and fitness goals.

34. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

determining a respiratory activity of the subject based on the respiratory signal; and

generating and transmitting a respiratory activity signal representative of the respiratory activity.

35. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

comparing the orientation of the body part to a plurality of stored spatial benchmarks; and

generating and transmitting a status signal in response to a determination that the orientation of the body part corresponds to one of the stored spatial benchmarks.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the plurality of stored spatial benchmarks comprises at least one of adverse fitness states and fitness goals.

37. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

determining at least one fitness activity of the subject based on the spatial signal; and

generating and transmitting a spatial activity signal representative of the spatial activity.

38. The method of claim 29, further comprising generating a three-dimensional spatial model of the orientation and movement of the subject based on the spatial signal.

39. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

comparing the physiological signal to a plurality of stored physiological benchmarks; and

generating and transmitting a status signal in response to a determination that the physiological signal corresponds to one of the stored physiological benchmarks.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the plurality of stored physiological benchmarks comprises at least one of adverse fitness states and fitness goals.

41. The method of claim 29, wherein the spatial signal further represents movement of a body part of the subject.