Mobile vascular health evaluation processes

• US 9,402,597 B1
• Filed: 01/02/2013
• Issued: 08/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alexander Francis Castellanos 2002 Trust
• Original Assignee: Alexander Francis Castellanos 2002 Trust
• Inventors: Castellanos, Alexander F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, Bo J
• Application Number:
  US13/733,079
• Time in Patent Office: 1,308 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02007 Evaluating blood vessel condition, e.g. elasticity, compliance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02028 Determining haemodynamic parameters not otherwise provided for, e.g. cardiac contractility or left ventricular ejection fraction
• 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 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 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 5/087 Measuring breath flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/332 Portable devices specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/682 Mouth, e.g., oral cavity; tongue; Lips; Teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6821 Eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/04 Measuring blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/06 : Measuring blood flow measuring volume flow in general G01F, e.g. G01F1/66, G01F1/72; measuring speed of fluids in general G01P5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0891 : for diagnosis of blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4416 : related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities, e.g. combination of ultrasound and X-ray acquisitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4427 : Device being portable or laptop-like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/463 : characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display composite display in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S7/52074
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/488 : involving Doppler signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/5223 : for extracting a diagnostic or physiological parameter from medical diagnostic data for algorithms to analyse biomedical images G06T7/0012
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/565 : involving data transmission via a network
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 : for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/60 : relating to pathologies

Abstract

In an embodiment, a data processing method comprises receiving, from a portable physiological measuring device configured for temporary attachment to a human body, data representing one or more physiological metrics or parameters of the body; receiving, from one or more Doppler vascular sensors configured for temporary attachment to peripheral artery locations of the body and a portable Doppler vascular signal measuring device coupled to the Doppler vascular sensors, vascular function information for the body; determining medical condition data indicating one or more medical conditions of the patient based on analysis and correlations of the vascular function information and the patient physiological metrics; generating and providing output records specifying one or more of: recommendations for actions that an individual or healthcare provider should take in response to the recommendations or parameters; or one or more reports, animations or figures; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.

Claims

1. A data processing method comprising:

receiving, from a portable physiological measuring device configured for temporary attachment to a human body, data representing a plurality of different physiological metrics or parameters of the body;

receiving, from one or more Doppler vascular sensors configured for temporary attachment to peripheral artery locations of the body and a portable Doppler vascular signal measuring device coupled to the Doppler vascular sensors, vascular function information for the body;

wherein receiving the vascular function information comprises receiving data based on bidirectional waveform Doppler ultrasound analysis that can measure or indicate an elasticity of one or more blood vessels;

determining medical condition data indicating one or more medical conditions of a patient based on analysis and correlations of the vascular function information and the one or more physiological metrics, wherein determining the medical condition data involves at least;

determining a number of waves represented in one or more vascular waveforms of the vascular function information or a change in a width or a velocity of one or more particular waves of the one or more vascular waveforms;

inputting the data representing the plurality of different physiological metrics or parameters of the body, and the vascular function information including the data based on bidirectional waveform Doppler ultrasound analysis that can measure or indicate an elasticity of one or more blood vessels, to a plurality of algorithms that are configured to correlate the data based on bidirectional waveform Doppler ultrasound analysis with the plurality of different physiological metrics or parameters of the body and to determine a recommendation of responsive treatment based upon a combination of both the vascular function information including the data based on bidirectional waveform Doppler ultrasound analysis and three or more of the plurality of different physiological metrics or parameters of the body selected from among;

blood pressure, pulse, respiration, oxygenation, nitric oxide, body temperature, weight;

wherein the plurality of algorithms comprise;

a first algorithm configured to detect an increase in severity of the vascular function information, a decrease in oxygenation, an increase in nitric oxide, and an elevation of blood pressure, pulse and respiration, and in response, to generate a first recommendation to a user of the portable physiological measuring device of intake of aspirin, use of an inhaler, and consumption of water;

a second algorithm configured to detect severe increases in blood pressure, respiration, pulse, temperature and vascular waveform, and in response, to generate a second recommendation to a user of the portable physiological measuring device to cease exercise and consume water;

generating and providing output records specifying one or more of;

recommendations for actions that an individual or healthcare provider should take in response to the recommendations or parameters;

or one or more reports, animations or figures;

wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the generating and providing comprises:

determining one or more positive changes or negative changes in the physiological metrics or parameters;

determining whether the changes indicate an immediate physiological response or a delayed physiological response;

determining an interpretation of severity of the changes, the response, and the one or more vascular waveforms;

forming an action plan based on the interpretation.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining whether the number of waves represents an increase or decrease in the number of waves and, for each of the number of waves, one or more of:

a change in blood velocity;

a change in width of a wave;

a change in blood volume; and

a rate of change in heartbeat.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the physiological metrics or parameters include at least one of blood pressure, EKG, spirometry.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more computing devices comprise any of:

a smartphone;

a tablet computer;

a laptop computer or other personal computer;

a workstation;

a watch computer;

a ring-mounted computer;

an active steering wheel of a motor vehicle;

a hat-mounted computer;

a helmet-mounted computer;

an eyewear-mounted computer.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the vascular function information comprises or is based on the bidirectional waveform Doppler ultrasound analysis.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the physiological metrics or parameters comprises receiving from one or more of any of the following:

an infrared, crystal technology, or light-based physiological monitor;

a sensor configured for use with augmented reality technology;

a sensor configured for use with auto-fluorescence technology;

a blood pressure sensor;

a pulse sensor;

a respiratory rate sensor comprising, for example, one or more chest patches, wrist patches, and/or chest straps;

a body temperature sensor;

an oxygen absorption sensor;

a carbon dioxide sensor;

a nitric oxide sensor;

a blood glucose sensor;

a sensor of electrolytes, nutrients in a circulation, or other metrics;

one or more contact lenses configured to measure capillary blood flow;

a flow meter;

a spirometer;

a mouthpiece.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the vascular function information provides metrics, reports, or values that indicate overall health attributes of blood vessels or other components of a vascular system, or particular attributes of blood vessels or other components of the vascular system.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the output records comprise any of:

a status report on vascular function;

a list of options for medical intervention in the patient based on medical standards of practice based on one or more medical indications represented in the vascular function information;

reports or recommendations suggesting sepsis, hypertension, hypotension, or respiratory dysfunction;

a protocol for exercise;

a protocol for sports performance;

a protocol for patient lifestyle or changes in lifestyle;

a protocol for patient stress management;

a report of recommendations, or expected effects of, any of several aspects of treatment including but not limited to nutrition, exercise, supplements, and medications.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the output records comprise any of:

Protocols for disease intervention;

Protocols for nutrition;

Protocols for exercise;

Protocols for sports performance;

Protocols for patient lifestyle or changes;

Protocols for stress management;

Protocols for patient lifestyle or changes;

Protocols for supplements/medications.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the output records comprise assessments of vascular circulation based on stored indication data that correlates particular Doppler vascular signals with any one or more of heart failure, cardiac myopathy, cardiac hypertrophy;

enlarged heart, or use of ventricular assisted devices.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the output records comprise assessments of cardiac arrhythmia, extra beats or premature ventricular contractions.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the physiological measuring device comprises an electrocardiogram (EKG) apparatus and wherein the correlation comprises correlating EKG data with Doppler vascular data.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the medical condition data is performed by at least determining the number of waves represented in the one or more vascular waveforms of the vascular function information.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more Doppler vascular sensors configured for temporary attachment to one or more peripheral arteries located at an ankle of the body.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising one or more sequences of instructions which when executed using one or more processors cause the one or more processors to perform:

receiving, from a portable physiological measuring device configured for temporary attachment to a human body, data representing a plurality of different physiological metrics or parameters of the body;

receiving, from one or more Doppler vascular sensors configured for temporary attachment to peripheral artery locations of the body and a portable Doppler vascular signal measuring device coupled to the Doppler vascular sensors, vascular function information for the body;

wherein receiving the vascular function information comprises receiving data based on bidirectional waveform Doppler ultrasound analysis that can measure or indicate an elasticity of one or more blood vessels;

determining medical condition data indicating one or more medical conditions of a patient based on analysis and correlations of the vascular function information and the one or more physiological metrics, wherein determining the medical condition data involves at least;

determining a number of waves represented in one or more vascular waveforms of the vascular function information or a change in a width or a velocity of one or more particular waves of the one or more vascular waveforms;

inputting the data representing the plurality of different physiological metrics or parameters of the body, and the vascular function information including the data based on bidirectional waveform Doppler ultrasound analysis that can measure or indicate an elasticity of one or more blood vessels, to a plurality of algorithms that are configured to correlate the data based on bidirectional waveform Doppler ultrasound analysis with the plurality of different physiological metrics or parameters of the body and to determine a recommendation of responsive treatment based upon a combination of both the vascular function information including the data based on bidirectional waveform Doppler ultrasound analysis and three or more of the plurality of different physiological metrics or parameters of the body selected from among;

blood pressure, pulse, respiration, oxygenation, nitric oxide, body temperature, weight;

wherein the plurality of algorithms comprise;

a first algorithm configured to detect an increase in severity of the vascular function information, a decrease in oxygenation, an increase in nitric oxide, and an elevation of blood pressure, pulse and respiration, and in response, to generate a first recommendation to a user of the portable physiological measuring device of intake of aspirin, use of an inhaler, and consumption of water;

a second algorithm configured to detect severe increases in blood pressure, respiration, pulse, temperature and vascular waveform, and in response, to generate a second recommendation to a user of the portable physiological measuring device to cease exercise and consume water;

generating and providing output records specifying one or more of;

recommendations for actions that an individual or healthcare provider should take in response to the recommendations or parameters;

or one or more reports, animations or figures.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 wherein the sequences of instructions for generating and providing comprise sequences of instructions which when executed cause:

determining one or more positive changes or negative changes in the physiological metrics or parameters;

determining whether the changes indicate an immediate physiological response or a delayed physiological response;

determining an interpretation of severity of the changes, the response, and the one or more vascular waveforms;

forming an action plan based on the interpretation.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 further comprising sequences of instructions which when executed cause determining whether the number of waves represents an increase or decrease in the number of waves and, for each of the number of waves, one or more of:

a change in blood velocity;

a change in width of a wave;

a change in blood volume; and

a rate of change in heartbeat.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18 wherein the physiological metrics or parameters include at least one of blood pressure, EKG, spirometry.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 wherein the one or more computing devices comprise any of:

a smartphone;

a tablet computer;

a laptop computer or other personal computer;

a workstation;

a watch computer;

a ring-mounted computer;

an active steering wheel of a motor vehicle;

a hat-mounted computer;

a helmet-mounted computer;

an eyewear-mounted computer.

21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 wherein the vascular function information comprises or is based on the bidirectional waveform Doppler ultrasound analysis.

22. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 wherein receiving the physiological metrics or parameters comprises receiving from one or more of any of the following:

an infrared, crystal technology, or light-based physiological monitor;

a sensor configured for use with augmented reality technology;

a sensor configured for use with auto-fluorescence technology;

a blood pressure sensor;

a pulse sensor;

a respiratory rate sensor comprising, for example, one or more chest patches, wrist patches, and/or chest straps;

a body temperature sensor;

an oxygen absorption sensor;

a carbon dioxide sensor;

a nitric oxide sensor;

a blood glucose sensor;

a sensor of electrolytes, nutrients in a circulation, or other metrics;

one or more contact lenses configured to measure capillary blood flow;

a flow meter;

a spirometer;

a mouthpiece.

23. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 wherein the vascular function information provides metrics, reports, or values that indicate overall health attributes of blood vessels or other components of a vascular system, or particular attributes of blood vessels or other components of the vascular system.

24. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 wherein the output records comprise any of:

a status report on vascular function;

a list of options for medical intervention in the patient based on medical standards of practice based on one or more medical indications represented in the vascular function information;

reports or recommendations suggesting sepsis, hypertension, hypotension, or respiratory dysfunction;

a protocol for exercise;

a protocol for sports performance;

a protocol for patient lifestyle or changes in lifestyle;

a protocol for patient stress management;

a report of recommendations, or expected effects of, any of several aspects of treatment including but not limited to nutrition, exercise, supplements, and medications.

25. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 wherein the output records comprise any of:

Protocols for disease intervention;

Protocols for nutrition;

Protocols for exercise;

Protocols for sports performance;

Protocols for patient lifestyle or changes;

Protocols for stress management;

Protocols for patient lifestyle or changes;

Protocols for supplements or medications.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 wherein the output records comprise assessments of vascular circulation based on stored indication data that correlates particular Doppler vascular signals with any one or more of heart failure, cardiac myopathy, cardiac hypertrophy;

enlarged heart, or use of ventricular assisted devices.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 wherein the output records comprise assessments of cardiac arrhythmia, extra beats or premature ventricular contractions.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 wherein the physiological measuring device comprises an electrocardiogram (EKG) apparatus and wherein the correlation comprises correlating EKG data with Doppler vascular data.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 wherein determining the medical condition data is performed by at least determining the number of waves represented in the one or more vascular waveforms of the vascular function information.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the one or more Doppler vascular sensors configured for temporary attachment to one or more peripheral arteries located at an ankle of the body.