Method, device and computer program product for monitoring the physiological state of a person

• US 7,803,117 B2
• Filed: 05/12/2006
• Issued: 09/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Lindman, Erik, Martikka, Mikko
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Jr.; Robert L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): D'ANGELO, MICHAEL J
• Application Number:
  US11/432,380
• Publication Number:
  US 20070265534A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,600 Days
• Field of Search: 600/509, 600/301, 600/300, 600/483, 600500-502, 600/484
• US Class Current: 600/483
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate

Abstract

The invention relates to a method, device, and computer program product for monitoring the physiological state of a person. In the method, the heartbeat of the person is detected in order to obtain a pulse signal, and at least one parameter depicting the respiration of the person is determined in the time domain with the aid of time stamps made of the basis of the pulse signal. With the aid of the method, it is possible to calculate an estimate of the person'"'"'s energy consumption during exercise, without complicated calculations or preliminary data based on measurements.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring the physiological state of a person during exercise using a portable computerized device, comprising:

monitoring the heartbeat of the person in order to obtain heartbeat pulse signals, each heartbeat pulse signal having a maximum and minimum value and a duration or period, and wherein a pulse interval exists between consecutive heartbeat pulse signals, and

determining at least one parameter depicting the respiration of the person on the basis of the periodicity of the temporal variation of pulse data contained in the pulse interval,

wherein the periodicity of the temporal variation of the pulse data is determined, using the portable computerized device, in the time domain by time stamping pulse signal data and using the time stamped pulse data, and the parameter depicting respiration is used to estimate energy consumption of the person, and

further comprising estimating the energy consumption on the basis of a second degree behavior of the parameter representing respiration.

2. A portable device for monitoring the physiological state of a person during exercise, which device comprises:

a sensor for detecting heartbeat in order to create heartbeat pulse signals or means for receiving heartbeat pulse signals created with the aid of such sensor, each heartbeat pulse signal having a maximum and a minimum value and a duration or period, and wherein a pulse interval exists between consecutive heartbeat pulse signals, and

a processing unit for defining at least one parameter depicting respiration, on the basis of the periodicity of the temporal variation of pulse data contained in the pulse interval, wherein the processing unit is adapted to determine the periodicity of the temporal variation of the pulse data by time stamping pulse signal data, and to estimate energy consumption of the person on the basis of the at least one parameter depicting respiration,

wherein the device is adapted to estimate the consumption of energy on the basis of a second-degree behavior of respiration frequency.