Method and apparatus for enhancing patient compliance during inspiration measurements

• US 6,740,046 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2002
• Issued: 05/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boston Medical Technologies Incorporated, Vermeer Manufacturing Company
• Original Assignee: Boston Medical Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Cohen, Alan M., Knapp, Keith N. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Natnithithadha, Navin
• Application Number:
  US10/195,956
• Publication Number:
  US 20040015093A1
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 600/529, 600/532, 600/533, 600/534, 600/535, 600/537, 600/538, 600/539
• US Class Current: 600/538
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0809 by impedance pneumography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/091 Measuring volume of inspired or expired gases, e.g. to determine lung capacity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4833 Assessment of subject's compliance to treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/04 heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/30 blood pressure A63B2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/42 rate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/185 Rhythm indicators
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A system for enhancing patient compliance with a predetermined breathing pattern during inspiration measurements utilizes patient feedback based on inspiration flow. The measured inspiration flow is displayed on a first display and a target inspiration flow is displayed on a second display, preferably, disposed adjacent to the first display to facilitate visual comparison. The patient is instructed to breathe in a manner that causes the measured inspiration flow display to match, or follow the target inspiration flow display.

Claims

1. A system for improving patient compliance with a predetermined breathing pattern during inspiration measurements, comprising:

(a) a device for measuring the inspiration flow of a patient;

(b) a display comprising;

a first display portion for displaying the measured inspiration flow of the patient; and

a second display portion disposed adjacent to the first display portion for displaying a target inspiration flow; and

(c) a processor responsive to the measured inspiration flow of the patient for controlling the first display portion to display at any given time the instantaneous measured inspiration flow of the patient, wherein the processor is operative to control the second display portion to display at any given time an instantaneous target inspiration flow.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said inspiration flow measuring device measures the inspiration flow of a patient for heart rate variability analysis.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said processor is further responsive to the measured inspiration flow for computing the inspiration volume of the patent and for processing said inspiration volume to compute a deep breathing maximum level for use in a metronomic deep breathing test.

4. A method for improving patient compliance with a predetermined breathing pattern during inspiration measurements, comprising:

measuring the inspiration flow of a patient;

displaying at any given time the instantaneous measured inspiration flow of the patient;

displaying at any given time an instantaneous target inspiration flow; and

instructing the patient to breathe so as to cause the measured inspiration flow to match the target inspiration flow.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

computing the inspiration volume of the patient in response to the measured inspiration flow; and

computing a deep breathing maximum level for use in performing a metronomic deep breathing test.