Methods and devices for relieving stress

• US 8,938,288 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2010
• Issued: 01/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Respironics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Respironics Incorporated
• Inventors: Wood, Michael, Forbes, Adam, Rhys, Kirstin
• Primary Examiner(s): Alter, Alyssa M
• Application Number:
  US12/708,643
• Publication Number:
  US 20100174200A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,796 Days
• Field of Search: 600/515, 600/509, 600/484, 600/26
• US Class Current: 600/515
• 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

display screen,

wherein the control system is configured to process the data from the human subject 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 during respiration of the human subject said device is configured to record multiple heart rate related intervals of the human subject; and

analyze a portion of the multiple heart rate related intervals sufficient to delineate at least one individual respiratory sinus arrhythmia wave, and

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 respiratory sinus arrhythmia wave deviate from a level that represents a relaxed state of the user.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein a heart rate related interval of the multiple heart rate related intervals is a pulse peak interval.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein a heart rate related interval of the multiple heart rate related intervals is a R wave interval.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said delineation includes identifying a set of transition points in each individual respiratory sinus arrhythmia wave.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the set of transition points includes at least one top point and at least two bottom points.

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

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device configured to extract information related to respiration of the human subject.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the information related to respiration includes rate, rhythm and volume.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the control system is further configured to compute a second value indicative of how irregular the respiratory sinus arrhythmia 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.