Physiological feedback method and system

• US 6,478,735 B1
• Filed: 01/28/2000
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alan T. Pope, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Government of the United States of America), Kurt E. Severance
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration
• Inventors: Severance, Kurt E., Pope, Alan T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Winakur, Eric F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCCROSKY, DAVID J
• Application Number:
  US09/494,160
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/455, 600/508, 600/407, 600/451, 600/425, 600/410, 600/481, 600/549, 600/587, 600/346, 600/586, 382/8, 382/12, 382/130
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/026 Measuring blood flow A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7445 Display arrangements, e.g. multiple display units
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/50 for simulation or modelling of medical disorders

Abstract

A method and system provide physiological feedback for a patient and/or physician. At least one physiological effect experienced by a body part of a patient is measured non-invasively. A three-dimensional graphics model serving as an analogous representation of the body part is altered in accordance with the measurements. A binocular image signal representative of the three-dimensional graphics model so-altered is displayed for the patient and/or physician in a virtual reality enviromnent.

Claims

1. A physiological feedback system comprising:

means for measuring at least one physiological effect experienced by a body part of a patient in terms of a time-series of discrete signals representing said physiological effect over a period of time;

a stereographic processor coupled to said means for measuring, said stereographic processor being capable of generating a binocular image signal;

a three-dimensional graphics model stored in said stereographic processor, said three-dimensional graphics model being an analogous representation of said body part;

said stereographic processor processing each of said discrete signals and altering said three-dimensional graphics model in accordance therewith, wherein said binocular image signal output by said stereographic processor is representative of said three-dimensional graphics model so-altered; and

a display coupled to said stereographic processor for displaying said three-dimensional graphics model so-altered.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein said means for measuring includes at least one non-invasive sensor coupled to the patient.

3. A system as in claim 1 wherein said physiological effect is blood flow, and wherein said means for measuring includes a sensor for measuring temperature of the patient'"'"'s blood in an area of interest on the patient and a sensor for measuring blood volume pulse of the patient at said area of interest.

4. A system as in claim 1 wherein said physiological effect is muscle deformation, and wherein said means for measuring includes a sensor for measuring deformation of the patient'"'"'s skin in an area of interest on the patient.

5. A system as in claim 1 wherein said physiological effect is perspiration, and wherein said means for measuring includes a sensor for measuring saline saturation at the skin of the patient in an area of interest on the patient.

6. A system as in claim 1 wherein said physiological effect is intestinal activity, and wherein said means for measuring includes a sensor for measuring, at the skin surface of the patient, acoustic levels produced by the intestinal activity.

7. A system as in claim 1 wherein said physiological effect is mechanical activity of the patient'"'"'s heart, and wherein said means for measuring includes a sensor for measuring, at the skin surface of the patient, acoustic levels produced by the patient'"'"'s heart valves and heart structures.

8. A system as in claim 1 wherein said physiological effect is blood flow, and wherein said means for measuring includes a sensor for measuring, at the skin surface of the patient, acoustic levels produced by the patient'"'"'s blood flow turbulence.

9. A system as in claim 1 wherein said physiological effect is blood flow, and wherein said three-dimensional graphics model comprises:

graphic means for generating a first image on said display of a first branching-out structure defined by a first trunk that branches out to a first plurality of branches, and for generating a second image on said display of a second branching-out structure defined by a second trunk that branches out to a second plurality of branches; and

each of said first plurality of branches terminating at a corresponding one of said second plurality of branches, wherein said first trunk and said first plurality of branches are an analogous representation of arteries, and wherein said second plurality of branches and said second trunk are an analogous representation of veins.

10. A system as in claim 9 wherein said first trunk and each of said first plurality of branches are represented by a cylinder tapering linearly in diameter along its length from left to right on said display, and wherein each of said second plurality of branches and said second trunk are represented by a cylinder expanding linearly in diameter along its length from left to right on said display.

11. A system as in claim 10 wherein a splined transition is formed at adjoining ones of said cylinders in each of said first image and said second image.

12. A system as in claim 9 wherein, when viewed from left to right on said display, said first image transitions from a first color to a second color and said second image transitions from said second color to a third color.

13. A system as in claim 12 wherein transition to said second color occurs in said first plurality of branches and transition to said third color occurs in said second plurality of branches.

14. A system as in claim 12 wherein said first color is red, said second color is purple and said third color is blue.

15. A system as in claim 9 wherein said stereographic processor uses said discrete signals to alter said first image independently of said second image, and wherein said first image so-altered by said discrete signals at a given instant from said period of time is displayed before said second image so-altered by said discrete signals at said given instant, whereby a viewer of said display perceives an autokinetic sense of movement from said first image to said second image.

16. A system as in claim 1 wherein said display comprises a virtual reality display.

17. A system as in claim 16 further comprising a monitoring display coupled to said stereographic processor wherein an audience can view said three-dimensional graphics model so-altered.

18. A method of providing physiological feedback comprising the steps of:

measuring at least one physiological effect experienced by a body part of a patient in terms of a time-series of discrete signals representing said physiological effect over a period of time;

providing a three-dimensional graphics model stored in a stereographic processor capable of generating a binocular image signal, said three-dimensional graphics model being an analogous representation of said body part;

processing each of said discrete signals using said stereographic processor to alter said three-dimensional graphics model in accordance with said discrete signals, wherein said binocular image signal output by said stereographic processor is representative of said three-dimensional graphics model so-altered; and

displaying said three-dimensional graphics model so-altered in a virtual reality environment.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein said step of measuring is accomplished non-invasively.

20. A method according to claim 18 wherein said physiological effect is blood flow, and wherein said step of providing said three-dimensional graphics model comprises the steps of:

generating a first image on said virtual reality environment of a first branching-out structure defined by a first trunk that branches out to a first plurality of branches;

generating a second image on said virtual reality environment of a second branching-out structure defined by a second trunk that branches out to a second plurality of branches; and

terminating each of said first plurality of branches at a corresponding one of said second plurality of branches, wherein said first trunk and said first plurality of branches are an analogous representation of arteries, and wherein said second plurality of branches and said second trunk are an analogous representation of veins.

21. A method according to claim 20 further comprising the steps of:

transitioning said first image from a first color to a second color when viewing said first image from left to right; and

transitioning said second image from said second color to a third color when viewing said second image from left to right.

22. A method according to claim 21 wherein said step of transitioning to said second color occurs in said first plurality of branches, and wherein said step of transitioning to said third color occurs in said second plurality of branches.

23. A method according to claim 21 wherein said first color is red, said second color is purple and said third color is blue.

24. A method according to claim 20 wherein said step of providing said three dimensional graphics model comprises the steps of:

representing said first trunk and each of said first plurality of branches by a cylinder tapering linearly in diameter along its length from left to right on said display; and

representing each of said second plurality of branches and said second trunk by a cylinder expanding linearly in diameter along its length from left to right on said display.

25. A method according to claim 24 further comprising the step of creating a splined transition at adjoining ones of said cylinders in each of said first image and said second image.

26. A method according to claim 20 wherein said step of processing comprises the step of using said discrete signals to alter said first image independently of said second image, and wherein said first image so-altered by said discrete signals at a given instant from said period of time is displayed before said second image so-altered by said discrete signals at said given instant, whereby a viewer of said first image and said second image perceives an autokinetic sense of movement from said first image to said second image.

27. A method according to claim 18 wherein said physiological effect is blood flow, and wherein said step of measuring includes the steps of:

measuring temperature of the patient'"'"'s blood in an area of interest on the patient; and

measuring blood volume pulse of the patient at said area of interest.

28. A method according to claim 18 wherein said physiological effect is muscle deformation, and wherein said step of measuring includes the step of measuring deformation of the patient'"'"'s skin in an area of interest on the patient.

29. A method according to claim 18 wherein said physiological effect is perspiration, and wherein said step of measuring includes the step of measuring saline saturation at the skin of the patient in an area of interest on the patient.

30. A method according to claim 18 wherein said physiological effect is intestinal activity, and wherein said step of measuring includes the step of measuring, at the skin surface of the patient, acoustic levels produced by the intestinal activity.

31. A method according to claim 18 wherein said physiological effect is mechanical activity of the patient'"'"'s heart, and wherein said step of measuring includes the step of measuring, at the skin surface of the patient, acoustic levels produced by the patient'"'"'s heart valves and heart structures.

32. A method according to claim 18 wherein said physiological effect is blood flow, and wherein said step of measuring includes the step of measuring, at the skin surface of the patient, acoustic levels produced by the patient'"'"'s blood flow turbulence.

33. A physiological feedback system comprising:

means for non-invasively measuring at least one physiological effect experienced by a body part of a patient in terms of a time-series of discrete signals representing said physiological effect over a period of time;

a stereographic processor coupled to said means for measuring, said stereographic processor being capable of generating a binocular image signal;

a three-dimensional graphics model stored in said stereographic processor, said three-dimensional graphics model being an analogous representation of said body part;

said stereographic processor processing each of said discrete signals and altering said three-dimensional graphics model in accordance therewith, wherein said binocular image signal output by said stereographic processor is representative of said three-dimensional graphics model so-altered; and

a virtual reality display coupled to said stereographic processor and worn by a viewer for immersing the viewer in a display environment of said three-dimensional graphics model so-altered.

34. A system as in claim 33 wherein said physiological effect is blood flow, and wherein said means for measuring includes a sensor for measuring temperature of the patient'"'"'s blood in an area of interest on the patient and a sensor for measuring blood volume pulse of the patient at said area of interest.

35. A system as in claim 33 wherein said physiological effect is muscle deformation, and wherein said means for measuring includes a sensor for measuring deformation of the patient'"'"'s skin in an area of interest on the patient.

36. A system as in claim 33 wherein said physiological effect is perspiration, and wherein said means for measuring includes a sensor for measuring saline saturation at the skin of the patient in an area of interest on the patient.

37. A system as in claim 33 wherein said physiological effect is intestinal activity, and wherein said means for measuring includes a sensor for measuring, at the skin surface of the patient, acoustic levels produced by the intestinal activity.

38. A system as in claim 33 wherein said physiological effect is mechanical activity of the patient'"'"'s heart, and wherein said means for measuring includes a sensor for measuring, at the skin surface of the patient, acoustic levels produced by the patient'"'"'s heart valves and heart structures.

39. A system as in claim 33 wherein said physiological effect is blood flow, and wherein said means for measuring includes a sensor for measuring, at the skin surface of the patient, acoustic levels produced by the patient'"'"'s blood flow turbulence.

40. A system as in claim 33 wherein said physiological effect is blood flow, and wherein said three-dimensional graphics model comprises:

graphic means for generating a first image on said display of a first branching-out structure defined by a first trunk that branches out to a first plurality of branches, and for generating a second image on said display of a second branching-out structure defined by a second trunk that branches out to a second plurality of branches; and

each of said first plurality of branches terminating at a corresponding one of said second plurality of branches, wherein said first trunk and said first plurality of branches are an analogous representation of arteries, and wherein said second plurality of branches and said second trunk are an analogous representation of veins.

41. A system as in claim 40 wherein said first trunk and each of said first plurality of branches are represented by a cylinder tapering linearly in diameter along its length from left to right on said display, and wherein each of said second plurality of branches and said second trunk are represented by a cylinder expanding linearly in diameter along its length from left to right on said display.

42. A system as in claim 41 wherein a splined transition is formed at adjoining ones of said cylinders in each of said first image and said second image.

43. A system as in claim 40 wherein, when viewed from left to right on said display, said first image transitions from a first color to a second color and said second image transitions from said second color to a third color.

44. A system as in claim 43 wherein transition to said second color occurs in said first plurality of branches and transition to said third color occurs in said second plurality of branches.

45. A system as in claim 43 wherein said first color is red, said second color is purple and said third color is blue.

46. A system as in claim 40 wherein said stereographic processor uses said discrete signals to alter said first image independently of said second image, and wherein said first image so-altered by said discrete signals at a given instant from said period of time is displayed before said second image so-altered by said discrete signals at said given instant, whereby a viewer of said virtual reality display perceives an autokinetic sense of movement from said first image to said second image.

47. A system as in claim 33 further comprising a monitoring display coupled to said stereographic processor wherein an audience can view said three-dimensional graphics model so-altered.

48. A system as in claim 47 further comprising means, coupled to said stereographics processor, for changing viewing perspective of said three-dimensional graphics model so-altered on said monitoring display.

49. A physiological feedback system for the encouragement of self-regulation of at least one physiological effect by a patient, the feedback system comprising:

means for measuring at least one physiological effect experienced by a body part of a patient in terms of a time-series of signals representing said physiological effect over a period of time;

a processor coupled to said means for measuring, said processor being capable of generating an image signal;

a graphics model stored in said processor, said graphics model being a representation of said body part;

said processor processing each of said signals and altering said graphics model in accordance therewith, wherein said image signal output by said processor is representative of said graphics model as it is being so-altered; and

a display coupled to said processor for displaying said graphics model as it is being so-altered, to thus encourage self-regulation of the at least one physiological effect by the patient.

50. The feedback system according to claim 49, wherein said signals representing said at least one physiological effect comprise signals resulting from the physical behavior of the body part.

51. A method of providing physiological feedback comprising the steps of:

measuring at least one physiological effect experienced by a body part of a patient in terms of a time-series of discrete signals representing said physiological effect over a period of time;

providing a graphics model stored in a processor capable of generating an image signal, said graphics model being a generic representation of said body part;

processing each of said discrete signals using said processor to alter said graphics model in accordance with said discrete signals, wherein said image signal output by said processor is representative of said graphics model as it is being so-altered; and

displaying said graphics model as it is being so-altered in a virtual reality environment.

52. The method according to claim 51 wherein said step of measuring at least one physiological effect experienced by a body part of a patient in terms of a time-series of discrete signals representing said physiological effect over a period of time comprises measuring signals resulting from the physical behavior of the body part.

53. A physiological feedback system comprising:

means for measuring at least one physiological effect experienced by a body part of a patient in terms of a time-series of signals representing said physiological effect over a period of time;

a processor coupled to said means for measuring, said processor being capable of generating an image signal;

a graphics model stored in said processor, said graphics model being a generic representation of said body part;

said processor processing each of said signals and altering said graphics model in accordance therewith, wherein said image signal output by said processor is representative of said graphics model as it is being so-altered; and

a display coupled to said processor for displaying said graphics model as it is being so-altered.