Methods and devices for relieving stress

• US 7,691,049 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2005
• Issued: 04/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Helicor, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Respironics Incorporated
• Inventors: Wood, Michael, Forbes, Adam, Rhys, Kirstin
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno; Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, NATASHA
• Application Number:
  US11/084,456
• Publication Number:
  US 20050288601A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,845 Days
• Field of Search: 600/26, 600/515
• US Class Current: 600/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02405 Determining heart rate variability
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/288 for artificial respiration or heart massage
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising

Abstract

Easy to use, cost-effective methods and devices for evaluating and treating stress and thereby disorders caused or exacerbated by stress are provided. More particularly methods and devices for identifying RSA waves during respiration which provide a subject with near real-time RSA wave information are provided. This information can be used in biofeedback settings to assist subjects in reducing levels of stress by achieving rhythmic breathing patterns.

Claims

1. A handheld, portable biofeedback device for reducing stress in a human subject comprising:

a housing;

a photoplethysmograph sensor disposed in the housing, wherein the photoplethysmograph sensor generates data from the human subject;

a control system coupled to the photoplethysmograph sensor; and

a display screen,

wherein the control system is configured to process the data from the human subject to form output data for output to the display screen, the output data providing the human subject with information associated with the human subject'"'"'s stress level; and

wherein the housing, photoplethysmograph sensor, control system and display screen form an integrated structure;

wherein the data generated from the human subject includes a wave, having a top and a bottom; and

wherein, whenever the wave has double tops or double bottoms, the control system is further configured to merge together the double tops or the double bottoms.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a power source.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein power is provided by an A/C source.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein during respiration of a human subject said device is configured to record multiple heart rate related intervals of the subject;

and

analyze heart rate related intervals sufficient to delineate at least one individual respiratory sinus arrhythmia wave.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the heart rate related interval is a pulse peak interval.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the heart rate related interval is an R interval.

7. The device of claim 4, wherein said delineation includes identifying a set of transition points in each individual respiratory sinus arrhythmia wave.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the set of transition points includes at least one top point and at least two bottom points.

9. The device of claim 4, wherein the device further comprises a breathing metronome capable of being activated by a subject, wherein the breathing metronome is programmed to deactivate after a predetermined period of time.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a breathing metronome capable of being activated by a subject, wherein the breathing metronome is programmed to deactivate after a predetermined period of time.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to extract information related to respiration of a subject.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the information related to respiration includes rate, rhythm and volume.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the control system is further configured to determine the human subject'"'"'s stress level by determining how far average wavelengths of the wave deviate from a level that represents a relaxed state of the user.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the control system is further configured to determine a first value indicative of the human subject'"'"'s stress level by determining how far average wavelengths of the wave deviate from a level that represents a relaxed state of the user, to compute a second value indicative of how irregular the wave occurs, and to combine the first value and the second value to form an overall value indicative of an overall stress level the human subject.