Intrathoracic pressure biofeedback method

• US 4,074,710 A
• Filed: 05/28/1976
• Issued: 02/21/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: City of Hope National Medical Center (City of Hope)
• Original Assignee: City of Hope National Medical Center (City of Hope)
• Inventors: Tiep, Brian L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frinks, Ronald L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US05/690,851
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2.05 P, 128/2.05 T, 128/2.05 R, 128/2.05 S, 128/2.06 R, 128/2.06 F, 128/2.06 A, 35/22 R, 35/17
• US Class Current: 600/502
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/04 heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/185 Rhythm indicators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/905 Feedback to patient of biological signal other than brain electric signal

Abstract

The pulse of a patient suffering from an obstructive lung ailment or problem such as emphysema, bronchiectasis, chronic bronchitis, asthma or the like may be monitored so as to obtain a signal varying in accordance with the peak values of successive pulse beats. The signal so obtained is used to provide an output to the patient which is capable of being sensed by the patient and which corresponds to the differences in the peak values of successive pulse beats. This output is used by the person in learning to control the operation of his or her heart in order to reduce the work of breathing and to avoid potential eventual heart failure when the individual encounters breathing problems.

Claims

1. A process for treating an individual having an obstructive lung disorder so that such an individual controls the manner in which his or her heart operates so as to control the individual'"'"'s intrathoracic pressure which comprises the steps of:

monitoring the pulse of the individual so as to obtain a signal varying in accordance with the peak values of each pulse beat, and

using said signal to provide to the individual an output which is capable of being sensed by the individual and which corresponds to this signal; and

varying the heart activity of the individual by the individual in accordance with said output so as to have the individual'"'"'s heart action and breathing achieve a desired intrathoracic pressure.

2. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said output is a variable frequency tone.

3. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

the pulse of the individual is monitored so as to obtain a signal corresponding to the variation of the peak values of each pulse beat of the individual,

and said signal corresponding to each pulse beat of the individual is modified in order to provide a further signal corresponding to the differences in the amplitudes of successive monitored pulse beats, and

said further signal is used to provide a variable frequency tone serving as said output, the frequency of said tone corresponding to the differences in the amplitudes of successive monitored pulse beats.