Breath biofeedback system and method

• US 7,618,378 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2006
• Issued: 11/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Vermont & State Agricultural College
• Original Assignee: University of Vermont & State Agricultural College
• Inventors: Bingham, Peter M, Bates, Jason H
• Primary Examiner(s): Mallari; Patricia C
• Application Number:
  US11/452,163
• Publication Number:
  US 20060282003A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,253 Days
• Field of Search: 600/28, 600/300, 600/538, 600/539, 600/541, 600/529, 600/587, 600/534, 128/200.14, 128/202.21, 128/205.23, 128/202.22, 434/236, 434/262, 482/13
• US Class Current: 600/538
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence

Abstract

A breath biofeedback method and system for encouraging a subject to modify respiration. The system includes a thoracic volume input module measuring thoracic volume data of the subject and a pattern module providing target breathing patterns in communication with a display generator. The display generator producing display information representing a displayable image including a first object having a first position determined as a function of the thoracic volume data and a second object having a second position determined as a function of the target breathing pattern and the thoracic volume data. The displayable image is designed such that when displayed on the display device the displayable image encourages the subject viewing the displayable image to modify respiration.

Claims

1. A computerized method of generating a displayable image for modifying respiration of a subject viewing the displayable image, the method comprising:

receiving a thoracic volume data of the subject;

providing one or more target breathing patterns;

generating display data using hardware and/or software representing a displayable image from said thoracic volume data and said one or more target breathing patterns;

wherein said displayable image includes;

a first object having a first position determined as a function of said thoracic volume data; and

a second object having a second position determined as a function of said one or more target breathing patterns and said thoracic volume data, such that said second object moves in relation to said one or more target breathing patterns and said measured thoracic volume data;

collecting a first historical set of said thoracic volume data over time;

storing said first historical set;

selecting said at least one pattern as a function of said first historical set;

generating a modified target breathing pattern based on said at least one pattern and said first historical set;

determining a range limit including an upper range limit and a lower range limit to said modified target breathing pattern, wherein said determining involves;

obtaining a standard ventilation information;

receiving a subject ventilation information of the subject; and

deriving said upper range limit and said lower range limit for said modified target breathing pattern as a function of the subject ventilation information and said standard ventilation information.

2. A computerized method according to claim 1, further comprising displaying said displayable image on a display device proximate the subject.

3. A method of encouraging a subject to modify respiration, the method comprising:

measuring a thoracic volume data of the subject with a thoracic volume input device;

providing one or more target breathing patterns; and

generating a displayable image using hardware and/or software, said displayable image including;

a first object representing a first set of data having a first position determined as a function of said thoracic volume data; and

a second object representing a second set of data having a second position determined as a function of said one or more target breathing patterns and said first position, such that said second object moves in response to a change in said first position relative to said one or more target breathing patterns.

4. A method according to claim 3 further comprising:

collecting a first historical set of said thoracic volume data over time;

storing said first historical set;

selecting said at least one pattern as a function of said historical set; and

generating a modified target breathing pattern, based on said at least one pattern and said first historical set.

5. A method according to claim 4, further comprising determining a range limit including an upper range limit and a lower range limit to said modified target breathing pattern.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said determining step involves:

obtaining a standard ventilation information;

measuring a subject ventilation information of the subject; and

deriving said upper range limit and said lower range limit for said modified target breathing pattern as a function of the subject ventilation information and said standard ventilation information.

7. A computer readable medium containing computer executable instructions implementing a method of encouraging a subject to modify respiration, the instructions comprising:

a set of instructions for receiving a thoracic volume data of the subject;

a set of instructions for providing one or more target breathing patterns; and

a set of instructions for generating display data representing a displayable image;

wherein said displayable image includes;

a first object having a first position determined as a function of said thoracic volume data;

a second object having a second position determined as a function of said one or more target breathing patterns and said thoracic volume data, such that said second object moves in relation to said one or more target breathing patterns and said measured thoracic volume data;

a set of instructions for collecting a first historical set of said thoracic volume data over time;

a set of instructions for storing said first historical set;

a set of instructions tor selecting said at least one pattern as a function of said first historical set;

a set of instructions for generating a modified target breathing pattern based on said at least one pattern and said first historical set;

an set of instructions for determining a range limit including an upper range limit and a lower range limit to said modified target breathing pattern;

a set of instructions for obtaining a standard ventilation information;

a set of instructions for receiving a subject ventilation information of the subject; and

a set of instructions for deriving said upper range limit and said lower range limit for said modified target breathing pattern as a function of the subject ventilation information and said standard ventilation information.

8. A computer readable medium according to claim 7, wherein a thoracic volume input device measures said thoracic volume data of the subject.

9. A computer readable medium according to claim 7, wherein said target breathing pattern is designed to prevent hypoventilation and/or hyperventilation by the subject when the subject views said displayable image.

10. A computer readable medium according to claim 7, wherein said displayable image is designed to encourage the subject viewing said displayable image to modify respiration.