Methods and systems for monitoring respiratory data

• US 8,628,480 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2010
• Issued: 01/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adidas AG
• Original Assignee: Adidas AG
• Inventors: Derchak, P. Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): Kahelin, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): TOTH, KAREN E
• Application Number:
  US12/976,080
• Publication Number:
  US 20110092795A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• Field of Search: 600529-543
• US Class Current: 600/534
• 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 5/0806 by whole-body plethysmography measuring blood flow using plethysmography A61B5/0295; impedance plethysmography A61B5/053; measuring volume of the body or parts thereof A61B5/1073
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• 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 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

This invention provides methods and systems for non-invasively determining the presence (and amount) or absence of dynamic hyperinflation in a subject. The invention is based on a novel combination of respiratory parameters that can be measured in a way that is non-invasive and unobtrusive to the subject. Dynamic hyperinflation is often a significant factor in the quality of life of patients suffering from a variety of obstructive pulmonary diseases, and this invention permits simple, routine tracking and management of dynamic hyperinflation in affected patients.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method suitable for use during exercise activities for assessing respiratory data in a monitored subject, the method comprising:

monitoring respiration of the subject with a physiological monitoring system, wherein the physiological monitoring system comprises a magnetometer for collecting respiratory data;

using a processor to determine a tidal volume of the subject based on the respiratory data;

using the processor to determine a first parameter indicative of the relative contribution of expansion and contraction of the subject'"'"'s rib cage to the subject'"'"'s tidal volume;

using the processor to determine a second parameter indicative of median cumulative changes in end-expiratory lung volume; and

assessing respiratory data in the subject in dependence on the first and second parameters.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the monitoring respiration of the subject is performed during a subject monitoring period, and wherein the first and second parameters are determined from received respiratory data from the same subject monitoring period.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the respiratory data of the subject monitoring period is compared with a previous subject monitoring period.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein using a processor to determine the second parameter comprises:

determining a breath-by-breath change in expiratory lung volume;

determining a cumulative change in expiratory lung volume in dependence on a plurality of consecutive breath-by-breath changes in expiratory lung volume; and

determining the median cumulative changes in end-expiratory lung volume parameter in dependence on the absolute values of a plurality of cumulative changes in expiratory lung volumes.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein determination of the breath-by-breath change in expiratory lung volume comprises subtracting the expiratory volume of the breath from the inspiratory volume of the breath.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising gathering data relating to a rib cage size and an abdomen size of the subject,

determining a lung volume parameter by linearly combining the rib cage size and the abdomen size;

and

determining tidal volume of the subject in dependence on a difference of the lung volume parameter at the end of inspiration and the lung volume parameter at the end of a following expiration.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein determining the first parameter comprises dividing respiratory volume during expansion of the subject'"'"'s rib cage by the subject'"'"'s tidal volume.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the respiratory data comprises a rib cage size of the subject, and wherein respiratory volumes during rib cage expansion and contraction are determined in dependence on the rib cage size.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject performs normal daily activities during the monitoring period.

10. A computer for assessing respiratory data in a subject monitored during exercise with a physiological monitoring system, wherein the physiological monitoring system comprises a magnetometer for collecting respiratory data, the computer comprising:

a processor; and

a computer-readable memory operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to;

determine a tidal volume of the subject based on the respiratory data;

determine a first parameter indicative of the relative contribution of expansion and contraction of the subject'"'"'s rib cage to the subject'"'"'s tidal volume;

determine a second parameter indicative of median cumulative changes in end-expiratory lung volume; and

assess respiratory data in the subject in dependence on the first and second parameters.

11. The computer of claim 10, wherein the processor and the memory are sized and configured to allow the computer to be easily carried by the subject.

12. A portable monitoring system for assessing respiratory data in a subject monitored during exercise with a physiological monitoring system, wherein the physiological monitoring system comprises a magnetometer for collecting respiratory data, the portable monitoring system comprising:

a wearable item comprising one or more sensors that provide data comprising sizes at one or more selected positions on the subject'"'"'s torso, the selected positions including one or more positions on the rib cage and one or more positions on the abdomen, the selected positions being selected so that the torso sizes change with respiration;

a portable data unit operably linked to the sensors, the portable data unit comprising a processing device and a computer memory operably linked to the processing device and configured with computer instructions that cause the processor to perform the steps of;

determining a tidal volume of the subject based on the respiratory data;

determining a first parameter indicative of the relative contribution of expansion and contraction of the subject'"'"'s rib cage to the subject'"'"'s tidal volume;

determining a second parameter indicative of median cumulative changes in end-expiratory lung volume; and

assessing respiratory data in the subject in dependence on the first and second parameters.

13. The portable monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the wearable item is selected from the group consisting of a garment, a shirt, or a band.

14. The portable monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the portable data unit is housed so as to be carried on the wearable item worn by the subject.

15. The portable monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the sensors comprise one or more inductive plethysmographic sensors or one or more posture and/or activity sensors.

16. The portable system of claim 12, wherein the portable data unit stores data on a removable computer-readable memory.

17. The portable monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the portable data unit wirelessly transmits data to a remote computer.

18. The portable monitoring system of claim 12, wherein the subject performs normal daily activities during the monitoring period.