METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MAINTAINING A STATE IN A SUBJECT

• US 20110082511A1
• Filed: 05/29/2009
• Published: 04/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 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 9,132,333 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/11
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02405 Determining heart rate variability
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36078 Inducing or controlling sleep or relaxation non-implantable stimulator A61M21/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3611 Respiration control stimulating respiratory organs A61N1/3601
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/062 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/185 Rhythm indicators
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means

Abstract

A method of maintaining a state in a subject (12) comprises generating a pacing signal (20) at a first frequency, presenting to the subject an output based upon the generated pacing signal, measuring one or more physiological parameters of the subject, detecting that the measured parameter(s) conform to a desired state in the subject, and either removing the presentation to the subject of the output based upon the generated pacing signal, or generating a new pacing signal at a second frequency, and presenting to the subject an output based upon the generated new pacing signal. The method can further comprise, prior to the detecting that the measured parameter(s) conform to a desired state in the subject, adjusting the pacing signal according to feedback from the measured parameter(s). In a preferred embodiment, the method also further comprises detecting that the measured parameter(s) no longer conform to a desired state in the subject, and presenting to the subject an output based upon the original generated pacing signal.

Claims

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

generating a pacing signal (20) at a first frequency,

presenting to the subject (12) an output based upon the generated pacing signal (20),

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

detecting that the measured parameter(s) conform to a desired state in the subject (12), and either

removing the presentation to the subject (12) of the output based upon the generated pacig signal (20), or

generating a new pacing signal (20) at a second frequency, and presenting to the subject (12) an output based upon the generated new pacing signal (20).

2. A method according to claim 1, and further comprising, prior to the detecting that the measured parameter(s) conform to a desired state in the subject (12), adjusting the pacing signal (20) according to feedback from the measured parameter(s).

3. A method according to claim 1, and further comprising detecting that the measured parameter(s) no longer conform to a desired state in the subject (12), and presenting to the subject (12) an output based upon the original generated pacing signal (20).

4. A method according to claim 1, and further comprising detecting that the measured parameter(s) no longer conform to a desired state in the subject (12), and presenting to the subject (12) a warning indication.

5. A method according to claim 1, and further comprising, following detecting that the measured parameter(s) conform to a desired state in the subject (12), and prior to either removing the presentation to the subject (12) of the output based upon the generated pacing signal (20), or generating a new pacing signal (20) at a second frequency, and presenting to the subject (12) an output based upon the generated new pacing signal (20), maintaining the desired state in the subject (12) for a predetermined length of time.

6. A system for maintaining a state in a subject (12) comprising:

a processor (16) arranged to generate a pacing signal (20) at a first frequency,

one or more output devices (18) arranged to present to the subject (12) an output based upon the generated pacing signal (20), and

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

wherein the processor (16) is further arranged to detect that the measured parameter(s) conform to a desired state in the subject (12), and either

to remove the presentation to the subject (12) of the output based upon the generated pacing signal (20), or

to generate a new pacing signal (20) at a second frequency, the output device(s) arranged to present to the subject (12) an output based upon the generated new pacing signal (20).

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the processor (16) is further arranged, prior to detecting that the measured parameter(s) conform to a desired state in the subject (12), to adjust the pacing signal (20) according to feedback from the measured parameter(s).

8. A system according to claim 6, wherein the processor (16) is further arranged to detect that the measured parameter(s) no longer conform to a desired state in the subject (12), and the output device(s) (18) is arranged to present to the subject (12) an output based upon the original generated pacing signal (20).

9. A system according to claim 6, wherein the processor (16) is further arranged to detect that the measured parameter(s) no longer conform to a desired state in the subject (12), and the output device(s) (18) is arranged to present to the subject (12) a warning indication.

10. A system according to claim 6, wherein the processor (16) is further arranged, following detecting that the measured parameter(s) conform to a desired state in the subject (12), and prior to either removing the presentation to the subject (12) of the output based upon the generated pacing signal (20), or generating a new pacing signal (20) at a second frequency, and presenting to the subject (12) an output based upon the generated new pacing signal (20), to maintain the desired state in the subject (12) for a predetermined length of time.