Method and system for maintaining a state in a subject

• US 9,132,333 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2009
• Issued: 09/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Aarts, Ronaldus Maria, Johnson, Mark Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Niketa
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEVICKY, WILLIAM J
• Application Number:
  US12/993,861
• Publication Number:
  US 20110082511A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,300 Days
• Field of Search: 607/11, 600/513
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02405 Determining heart rate variability
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36078 Inducing or controlling sleep or relaxation non-implantable stimulator A61M21/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3611 Respiration control stimulating respiratory organs A61N1/3601
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/062 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/185 Rhythm indicators
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means

Abstract

A method of maintaining a state in a subject (12) comprises generating a pacing signal (20) at a first frequency, presenting to the subject an output based upon the generated pacing signal, measuring one or more physiological parameters of the subject, detecting that the measured parameter(s) conform to a desired state in the subject, and either removing the presentation to the subject of the output based upon the generated pacing signal, or generating a new pacing signal at a second frequency, and presenting to the subject an output based upon the generated new pacing signal. The method can further comprise, prior to the detecting that the measured parameter(s) conform to a desired state in the subject, adjusting the pacing signal according to feedback from the measured parameter(s). In a preferred embodiment, the method also further comprises detecting that the measured parameter(s) no longer conform to a desired state in the subject, and presenting to the subject an output based upon the original generated pacing signal.

Claims

1. A method of maintaining a state in a subject comprising:

in a single patient session;

a) generating, by a processor, a pacing signal at a first frequency, to control the breathing of the subject, whereby said signal is received prior to receiving feedback from the subject as a measured physiological parameter,

b) presenting to the subject, by an output device, an output based upon the generated pacing signal,

c) measuring, by one or more sensors, at least two physiological parameters directly from the subject,

d) detecting, by said processor, that the measured parameter(s) conform to a pre-determined range of values which place the subject in a desired state of coherency and relaxedness,

e) introducing a time lapse to delay the removal of the pacing signal for a predetermined length of time after said detection has occurred at said step (d), and

f) either removing, by the output device, the presentation to the subject of the output based upon the generated pacing signal after the predetermined length of time, or

g) generating, by the processor, a new pacing signal at a second frequency, and presenting to the subject an output based upon the generated new pacing signal

h) detecting, by the processor, that the measured parameter(s) no longer conform to a desired state in the subject at said second frequency,

i) terminating, by the processor, the presentation of the second frequency to the subject, and

j) re-introducing to the subject, by the output device, an output based upon the originally presented pacing signal generated at said first frequency at said step (a).

2. A method according to claim 1, and further comprising, prior to the detecting that the measured parameter(s) conform to a desired state in the subject, adjusting the pacing signal according to feedback from the measured parameter(s).

3. A method according to claim 1, and further comprising detecting that the measured parameter(s) no longer conform to a desired state in the subject, and presenting to the subject a warning indication.

4. A method according to claim 1, and further comprising, following detecting that the measured parameter(s) conform to a desired state in the subject, and prior to either removing the presentation to the subject of the output based upon the generated pacing signal, or generating a new pacing signal at a second frequency, and presenting to the subject (12) an output based upon the generated new pacing signal, maintaining the desired state in the subject for a predetermined length of time.

5. A system for maintaining a state in a subject comprising:

a processor arranged to generate a pacing signal at a first frequency, to control the breathing of the subject, whereby said signal is received prior to receiving feedback from the subject as a measured physiological parameter,

one or more output devices arranged to present to the subject an output based upon the generated pacing signal,

one or more sensors arranged to;

measure at least two physiological parameters directly from the subject,

wherein the processor is further arranged to;

adjust the pacing signal according to feedback from the at least two measured physiological parameter(s),

detect that the measured parameter(s) conform to pre-determined range of values which place the subject in a desired state of coherency and relaxedness, and

introduce a time lapse to delay the removal of the pacing signal for a predetermined length of time after said detection has occurred, and

either

remove the presentation to the subject of the output based upon the generated pacing signal, or

generate a new pacing signal at a second frequency, the output device(s) arranged to present to the subject an output based upon the generated new pacing signal,

detect that the measured parameter(s) no longer conform to a desired state in the subject at said second frequency,

terminate the presentation of the second frequency to the subject, and

re-introduce to the subject an output based upon the original pacing signal generated at said first frequency.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the processor is further arranged, prior to detecting that the measured parameter(s) conform to a desired state in the subject, to adjust the pacing signal according to feedback from the measured parameter(s).

7. A system according to claim 5, wherein the processor is further arranged to detect that the measured parameter(s) no longer conform to a desired state in the subject, and the output device(s) is arranged to present to the subject a warning indication.

8. A system according to claim 5, wherein the processor is further arranged, following detecting that the measured parameter(s) conform to a desired state in the subject, and prior to either removing the presentation to the subject of the output based upon the generated pacing signal, or generating a new pacing signal at a second frequency, and presenting to the subject an output based upon the generated new pacing signal, to maintain the desired state in the subject for a predetermined length of time.