METHOD FOR PREDICTION, DETECTION, MONITORING, ANALYSIS AND ALERTING OF SEIZURES AND OTHER POTENTIALLY INJURIOUS OR LIFE-THREATENING STATES

• US 20130060167A1
• Filed: 08/31/2012
• Published: 03/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alexander Patterson Dracup, Jeffrey Albert Dracup, Steven Barkolas
• Original Assignee: Alexander Patterson Dracup, Jeffrey Albert Dracup, Steven Barkolas
• Inventors: Dracup, Jeffrey Albert, Dracup, Alexander Patterson, Barkolas, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 10,631,760 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/045 with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02405 Determining heart rate variability
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0531 Measuring skin impedance
• 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 5/1117 Fall detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4094 Diagnosing or monitoring seizure diseases, e.g. epilepsy
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0446 worn on the body to detect changes of posture, e.g. a fall, inclination, acceleration, gait
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0453 worn on the body to detect health condition by physiological monitoring, e.g. electrocardiogram, temperature, breathing detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/70 for mining of medical data, e.g. analysing previous cases of other patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for predicting seizures and for detecting seizures, and other potentially injurious or life-threatening events, optionally in conjunction with a mobile device. In an embodiment, a portable device provides epilepsy seizure prediction, detection, monitoring, analysis and alerting for epilepsy patients or other people afflicted with seizures. In an embodiment, the portable device may alert and communicate information to health care providers, caregivers and family members, emergency services, and the like. Collected data may be reviewed and analyzed for use in developing specific criteria for predicting and detecting seizures and other potentially injurious or life-threatening events.

Claims

1. A portable device comprising:

an input system for inputting detected parameters for a specific type of motion by a person;

an accelerometer and/or gyroscope unit for measuring motion data;

a memory unit for storing settings for detecting the specific type of motion by the person;

an algorithm for analyzing the measured motion data, comparing characteristics of the specific type of motion by the person to the measured motion data and determining whether an alert should be sent based on the comparing;

a processor to implement the algorithm and generate an indication that a specific abnormal motion may have occurred based on the algorithm, wherein the abnormal motion includes a seizure;

a housing for enclosing the memory unit and the processor;

a monitoring sensor having at least one conductive pad arranged to be placed on a respective limb of the body of the person at a monitoring location for sensing and monitoring, over a prolonged period of time, signals at the monitoring location; and

a display attached to the housing in a manner for settings so that the specific abnormal motion or a status may be viewed;

wherein the input system is attached to the housing in a manner so that the person or another person may enter settings.

2. The portable device of claim 1, further comprising:

an attachment apparatus for attaching the portable device to the person.

3. The portable device of claim 2, wherein the attachment apparatus is selected from a group consisting of a strap, cable, string, band, and leash.

4. The portable device of claim 1 wherein the monitoring sensor comprises one or more of an electrodermal activity sensor, heart rate sensor, heart rate variability sensor, temperature sensor, and a motion sensor.

5. The portable device of claim 1, further comprising a transceiver for communication between the portable device and a telecommunications network.

6. The portable device of claim 5, wherein the telecommunications network includes one or more of the Internet and an intranet.

7. A system comprising:

a motion detector measuring motion data associated with a user;

an input system for inputting parameters for a specific type of motion by the user;

a memory unit for storage of an algorithm including analyzing motion data, determining whether motion data relates to a specific type of motion has occurred based on the analyzing of motion data, and if it is determined that the specific type of motion has occurred, generating an alert that the specific type of motion occurred, based on the determining;

a processor for implementing the algorithm to determine whether the motion data retrieved by the motion detector corresponds to the specific type of motion, wherein the specific type of motion is an abnormal motion, including a seizure;

an output system for providing values of current settings and/or feedback regarding implementation of settings; and

an advice system to provide general instructions for care of a seizure victim and specific instructions for care of the user based on the motion data associated with the user.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a location calculation system for determining a location of the user.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the specific type of motion includes a sudden to-and-fro movement.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the motion data comprises a threshold value for a frequency of oscillation of a body part of the user;

wherein the analyzing includes comparing a value characterizing the motion to the threshold value;

wherein the determining includes determining whether the value surpassed the threshold based on the comparing to determine whether the specific type of motion occurred; and

wherein a transceiver summons medical assistance when the value surpasses the threshold.

11. A method for abnormal motion detection, comprising:

downloading an optimal available abnormal motion detection algorithm to a mobile device;

updating the mobile device with the optimal available abnormal motion detection algorithm;

periodically activating device sensors in listening mode;

keeping device sensors active in the event that abnormal motion characteristic patterns are detected;

detecting whether abnormal motion characteristic patterns occur;

recording sensor data;

uploading sensor data;

prompting a user to affirm an occurrence of a seizure;

alerting user of an alarm sequence;

activating an alarm sequence in the event of no user response or of affirmation of seizure by the user;

transmitting a device-initiated alarm to a server system;

transmitting an alert to pre-designated alert recipients;

recording seizure details; and

transmitting seizure details to the server system.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

calculating a percentage likelihood or risk of seizure;

collecting baseline data for the user; and

labeling data according to the percentage likelihood or risk of seizure.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

monitoring a mobile device for any relevant seizure data;

querying a user about seizure status;

recording any response to the query;

recording seizure status details to form a user log of possible prior seizure data,

uploading seizure data to a server; and

scheduling an event for follow up.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

capturing electrodermal activity readings from the skin of the user'"'"'s body to which sensors are in contact.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

uploading data to an online diary.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

obtaining an electromyogram waveform of the user and calculating a muscle tension from the electromyogram waveform;

if the muscle tension is greater than or equal to a predetermined value;

detecting a position of the user; and

determining whether there is a change of the position during a predetermined period of time; and

if there is a change of the user'"'"'s position and the position of the subject is not within an allowable position change range;

outputting an alert.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

providing instructions for care of a seizure victim and specific instructions for care of the user based on motion data associated with the user.