Interventive-diagnostic device

• US 7,717,858 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2003
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 2breathe Technologies Ltd
• Original Assignee: InterCure Ltd.
• Inventors: Massad, Tamir
• Primary Examiner(s): Marmor, II; Charles A
• Assistant Examiner(s): JANG, CHRISTIAN YONGKYUN
• Application Number:
  US10/685,956
• Publication Number:
  US 20040077934A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,407 Days
• Field of Search: 600/534, 600/535, 73/11.5, 737/80, 324345-364
• US Class Current: 600/535
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• 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 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4035 Evaluating the autonomic nervous system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4857 Indicating the phase of biorhythm clocks or watches with indicators for biological cycles G04B19/264
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4884 inducing physiological or psychological stress, e.g. applications for stress testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7275 Determining trends in physiological measurement data; Predicting development of a medical condition based on physiological measurements, e.g. determining a risk factor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7282 Event detection, e.g. detecting unique waveforms indicative of a medical condition A61B5/4094, A61B5/4818, A61B5/349, A61B5/0823 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7425 Displaying combinations of multiple images regardless of image source, e.g. displaying a reference anatomical image with a live image geometric transforms for image registration G06T3/14; enhancement using image fusion G06T5/50; algorithms for registration of images G06T7/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/743 Displaying an image simultaneously with additional graphical information, e.g. symbols, charts, function plots
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/00 Measuring physical parameters of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Apparatus for improving health of a user is provided, including a first sensor, adapted to measure a first physiological variable, which is indicative of a voluntary action of the user. A second sensor is adapted to measure a second physiological variable, which is substantially governed by an autonomic nervous system of the user. Circuitry is adapted to receive respective first and second sensor signals from the first and second sensors, and, responsive thereto, to generate an output signal which directs the user to modify a parameter of the voluntary action.

Claims

1. Apparatus for measuring mechanical deformation, comprising:

a housing;

a base electrode;

a deformable electrode, mechanically coupled to the base electrode and to the housing, the base electrode and the deformable electrode defining a capacitor having capacitance, such that the capacitance is varied responsive to deformation of the deformable electrode; and

at least one deformable-electrode supporter,

wherein when no force is applied to the deformable electrode, a shortest distance between the base electrode and the deformable electrode varies along a length of the deformable electrode, the base electrode and the deformable electrode converging, at a fixed-region along the length of the base electrode, to a closest possible distance from each other, which is fixed by structure of the apparatus, and

wherein the deformable-electrode supporter is configured to support the deformable electrode at a support region that is remote from the fixed region.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deformable electrode is adapted to be coupled to a user, such that the deformation is responsive to respiration of user.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, and further comprising a member, mechanically coupled to the deformable electrode, such that movement of the member deforms the deformable electrode and varies the capacitance.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, and further comprising a belt, adapted to be placed around a torso of a user and to cause movement of the member responsive to a change in circumference of the torso.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the member is adapted to be in physical contact with the deformable electrode.

6. A method for measuring mechanical deformation with apparatus, comprising mechanically coupling a base electrode to a deformable electrode, the base electrode and the deformable electrode defining a capacitor having capacitance, such that:

the capacitance is varied responsive to deformation of the deformable electrode,

when no force is applied to the deformable electrode, a shortest distance between the base electrode and the deformable electrode varies along a length of the deformable electrode, the base electrode and the deformable electrode converging, at a fixed-region along the length of the base electrode, to a closest possible distance from each other, which is fixed by structure of the apparatus, and

the deformable electrode is supported by a deformable electrode supporter at a support region that is remote from the fixed region.