Interventive-diagnostic device

• US 9,446,302 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2013
• Issued: 09/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 2breathe Technologies Ltd
• Original Assignee: 2breathe Technologies Ltd
• Inventors: Gavish, Benjamin
• Primary Examiner(s): Frisby, Kesha
• Application Number:
  US14/022,439
• Publication Number:
  US 20140141395A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,106 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 434/236, 434/238
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4035 Evaluating the autonomic nervous system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4857 Indicating the phase of biorhythm clocks or watches with indicators for biological cycles G04B19/264
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4884 inducing physiological or psychological stress, e.g. applications for stress testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7275 Determining trends in physiological measurement data; Predicting development of a medical condition based on physiological measurements, e.g. determining a risk factor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7282 Event detection, e.g. detecting unique waveforms indicative of a medical condition A61B5/4094, A61B5/4818, A61B5/349, A61B5/0823 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7425 Displaying combinations of multiple images regardless of image source, e.g. displaying a reference anatomical image with a live image geometric transforms for image registration G06T3/14; enhancement using image fusion G06T5/50; algorithms for registration of images G06T7/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/743 Displaying an image simultaneously with additional graphical information, e.g. symbols, charts, function plots
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/00 Measuring physical parameters of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Apparatus for improving health of a user is provided, including a first sensor, adapted to measure a first physiological variable, which is indicative of a voluntary action of the user. A second sensor is adapted to measure a second physiological variable, which is substantially governed by an autonomic nervous system of the user. Circuitry is adapted to receive respective first and second sensor signals from the first and second sensors, and, responsive thereto, to generate an output signal which directs the user to modify a parameter of the voluntary action.

Claims

1. A method for inducing a modification of a physiological variable of a user, comprising:

providing the user with an electronic game having a game parameter, the game parameter is configured to be indicative of a score associated with a performance of the user;

presenting a guiding game feature, comprising a modifiable guiding-stimulus configured to continuously guide a respiratory activity of the user throughout the game;

obtaining from a sensor a signal indicative of the respiratory activity of the user;

analyzing the signal to obtain respiratory characteristics of the user, and evaluate the respiratory activity of the user;

introducing an intervening game feature, comprising an intervening-stimulus configured to provoke a physiological response in the user;

detecting and assessing, from the evaluated respiratory activity, a respiratory activity reaction to the intervening game feature; and

modifying the game parameter based on the evaluation of the respiratory activity reaction,

wherein the guiding-stimulus of the guiding game feature is modified based on the game parameter, the respiratory characteristics of the user, the intervening stimulus of the intervening game feature and/or the respiratory activity reaction, and a pattern of the guiding stimulus is determined for synchronizing the respiratory activity of the user with the guiding stimulus and for inducing changes to the respiratory activity and/or respiratory characteristics of the user,

wherein the performance of the user is determined based on changes in the respiratory activity and/or respiratory characteristics of the user and a synchronization between the respiratory activity of the user with the guiding stimulus, in response to the intervening game feature,

wherein the physiological response is associated with changes in the respiratory activity.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing the electronic game comprises:

connecting the game to a remote facility;

transmitting the game parameter to the remote facility; and

transmitting the respiratory activity of the user or the obtained respiratory characteristics of the user to the remote facility.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein connecting the game to the remote facility comprises receiving a response from the remote facility for the purpose of modifying the game parameter.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein another user operates the method at the remote facility.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein introducing the intervening game feature comprises applying an intervention such that the respiratory activity is changed as an indirect consequence of the intervention.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein obtaining the signal indicative of the respiratory activity comprises assessing an indication of blood oxygenation.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein obtaining the signal indicative of the respiratory activity comprises assessing an indication of cardiac electrical state.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein analyzing the signal indicative of the respiratory activity of the user comprises assessing an indication of blood pressure.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein introducing an intervening game feature comprises applying an intervention such that the respiratory activity is changed as a direct consequence of the intervention.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein applying the intervention comprises influencing the user to voluntarily change the respiratory activity.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein applying the intervention comprises influencing the user to involuntarily change the respiratory activity.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein influencing comprises influencing the user to modify a parameter of the user'"'"'s breathing.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the user is asthmatic.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the user has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the user has cystic fibrosis.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the user has congestive heart failure.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the user has hypertension.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein obtaining the signal indicative of the respiratory activity comprises receiving a sound responsive to respiratory activity.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein receiving the sound comprises receiving a wheezing sound.

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein obtaining the signal indicative of the respiratory activity comprises receiving an indication of microvascular blood flow.

21. The method according to claim 1, wherein obtaining the signal indicative of the respiratory activity comprises receiving an indication of the stiffness of at least one blood vessel.

22. The method according to claim 1, wherein the guiding stimulus comprises of musical tones.

23. The method according to claim 1, wherein the guiding stimulus comprises of audiovisual messages.

24. The method according to claim 1, wherein the guiding stimulus comprises a tactile stimulus.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the tactile stimulus comprises mechanical vibration.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the tactile stimulus comprises wean electrical current configures to stimulate muscle activity.