Apparatus and method for non-invasive measurement of current functional state and adaptive response in humans

• US 6,572,558 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2001
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Omegawave OY
• Original Assignee: Omegawave LLC
• Inventors: Masakov, Leonid Vasilyevich, Larionov, Vladimir Borisovich
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NATNITHITHADHA, NAVIN
• Application Number:
  US09/854,988
• Publication Number:
  US 20020045835A1
• Time in Patent Office: 751 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/301, 600/481, 600/483, 600/508, 600/509, 600/544, 600/545, 600/554, 600/555, 128/920, 128/923, 128/924, 128/925
• US Class Current: 600/483
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/045 with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02405 Determining heart rate variability
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/374 Detecting the frequency distribution of signals, e.g. detecting delta, theta, alpha, beta or gamma waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/377 using evoked responses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4884 inducing physiological or psychological stress, e.g. applications for stress testing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

An apparatus and method for non-invasively assessing the functional state and state of homeostasis of a human. Specifically selected and designed tests provide efficient and comprehensive and/or targeted assessment, depending on which tests are selected. The tests preferably include heart rate variability, differential ECG, omega brain wave, jump and stimulus response tests. The non-invasive manner of data recording permits frequent testing which is critical in assessing adaptive response and other performance criteria. The sensors, interface/adapter and computing device are preferably lightweight to promote portability.

Claims

1. An apparatus for assessing the functional state and state of homeostasis in a human, comprising:

a sensed signal input;

processing logic coupled to said sensed signal input that performs two or more functional state tests from the group of tests including;

heart rate variability test;

differential ECG test;

brain wave test;

jump test; and

stimulus response test;

said processing logic being configured to receive sensed signals for a given test from said input and to process those signals in such a manner as to produce a signal for that given test that is representative of a textual conclusion of the functional state of a body system which that given test is designed to assess.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said signal representative of said textual conclusion is generated from a rules-based analysis of sensed data as processed by said processing logic.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processing logic is configured to calculate one or more indices values for a given test and to interpret said one or more indices values to generate the signal representative of the textual conclusion that corresponds to that given test.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising select logic that permits a user to select which of said two or more tests said processing logic is to perform.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mechanism that non-invasively measures physical parameters of a person under test that correspond to said two or more functional tests.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processing logic performs three or more of said functional tests.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processing logic performs four or more of said functional tests.

11. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said processing logic is further configured to compare said calculated index value to a norm index value in generation of said signal representative of the textual conclusion.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processing logic is further configured to process received sensed signals in such a manner as to produce for a given test a signal that is representative of a graphical depiction of results of that test.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processing logic is further configured to produce said representative signal such that said signal is indicative of an indirect assessment of the functional state of a body system.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the comparison performed by said processing logic determines the direction and magnitude of said calculated index value from said norm index value and generates the signal representative of textual conclusion based on the determined direction and magnitude.

8. A method of assessing the functional state of a human, comprising the steps of:

inputting sensed signals;

conducting via machine executable steps a first test based on cardiac generated sensed signals to assess the functional state of a first body system;

conducting via machine executable steps a second test based on brain wave sensed signals to assess the functional state of a second body system different from said first body system;

generating a first final test output signal that is representative of results of said first test; and

generating a second final test output signal, separate from said first signal, that is representative of results of said second test.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

generating indices from said cardiac generated sensed signals or said brain wave sensed signals; and

interpreting said generated indices to create a signal representative of a textual conclusion about the functional state of a body system corresponding to said indices.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said interpreting step includes the step of using a rules-based analysis to carry out said interpretation.

15. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

generating indices from said cardiac generated sensed signals or said brain wave sensed signals; and

comparing said generated indices to norm indices values.

16. The method of claim 8, wherein said step of conducting a first test based on cardiac generated sensed signals includes the step of conducting an electro-cardiogram test.

17. The method of claim 8, wherein said step of conducting a first test based on cardiac generated sensed signals includes the step of conducting a heart rate variability test.

18. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of conducting via machine executable steps a third test to assess the functional state of a third body system different from said first and said second body systems.

19. An apparatus for assessing the functional state of a human, comprising:

a sensed signal input;

cardiac signal processing logic that conducts a first test based on sensed cardiac signals to assess the functional state of a body system;

brain signal processing logic that conducts a second test based on sensed brain wave signals to assess the functional state of a body system; and

logic that generates index values from said cardiac generated sensed signals or said brain wave sensed signals and interprets said generated index values to create a signal representative of a textual conclusion concerning the functional state of a body system corresponding to said index values.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said logic compares generated index values to a norm and creates said representative signal said comparison.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said first test is an electro-cardiogram test.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said first test is a heart rate variability test.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said sensed brain wave signals are omega wave signals.

24. An apparatus for assessing the functional state of a human, comprising:

a sensed signal input;

cardiac signal processing logic that conducts a first test based on sensed cardiac signals to assess the functional state of a body system;

brain signal processing logic that conducts a second test based on sensed brain omega wave signals to assess the functional state of a body system.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said first test is an electro-cardiogram test.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said first test is a heart rate variability test.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein at least one of said cardiac logic and said brain logic generates a signal representative of a textual conclusion concerning the functional state of a corresponding body system.

28. An apparatus for assessing the functional state of a human, comprising:

a sensed signal input;

cardiac signal processing logic that conducts a first functional state test based on sensed cardiac signals and generates a first value representative of the result of said first test; and

brain signal processing logic that conducts a second functional state test based on sensed brain wave signals and generates a second value representative of the results of said second test;

comparison logic that compares at least one of said first and second generated test values to a norm value and generates a test output signal based on said comparison that is representative of an indirect assessment of a body system.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said second functional state test is based on omega wave brain signals.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said generated signal is representative of a textual conclusion concerning said indirect assessment of a body system.