Physiological indicator monitoring for identifying stress triggers and certain health problems

• US 9,842,374 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2014
• Issued: 12/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marc Jim Bitoun
• Original Assignee: Marc Jim Bitoun
• Inventors: Bitoun, Marc Jim
• Primary Examiner(s): Utama, Robert J
• Application Number:
  US14/217,158
• Publication Number:
  US 20140329214A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,366 Days
• Field of Search: 434262
• 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 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0531 Measuring skin impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/28 for medicine
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/70 relating to mental therapies, e.g. psychological therapy or autogenous training
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Disclosed is a portable, wearable device for measuring parameters including blood oxygenation, galvanic skin response, skin temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, and exertion level, and diagnosing stress and other conditions which cause stress-like physiological responses based on the results of the monitoring and on patient input of feelings and symptoms. Specific queries and advice on stress reduction, related disease management, and stress and disease education is also provided to the patient through the device.

Claims

1. A method of reducing stress in a number of patients by monitoring stress indicators and providing information on stress reduction to patients, and then using lessened stress or improved clinical outcomes from these patients to recruit additional patients and apply the method to them, comprising:

providing patients with a device whose components are incorporated in a wrist-band to be worn by the patients, and which includes sensors for measuring the following parameters;

skin temperature, galvanic skin response, blood pressure, pulse rate, blood oxygenation, ambient temperature, and exertion level; and

wherein the device further includes a microcomputer and software combination embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium which jointly perform the following steps (i) to (iii);

(i) analyzing and recording the parameters and displaying for the patient queries relating to diagnosis of stress or diseases or conditions;

(ii) providing advice to the patients on stress-relief, including one or more of;

find stressors and avoid them;

exercise;

relax; and

, talk to someone to reduce stress; and

(iii) publicizing stress reduction or improved clinical outcomes in order to recruit new patients to use the method, based on a majority of the patients applying the advice in order to reduce stress or improve clinical outcomes.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the parameters are transmitted to a central monitoring location which provides the queries and advice, and further provides education to the patient.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the parameters are transmitted to the patient'"'"'s cell phone or computer.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the wrist-band includes a display which can be seen upon activation by the user.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the recorded parameter can be displayed based on time recorded, or in connection with activities or events.

6. The method of claim 1 further including alerting the user in the event of a likely health problem.

7. The method of claim 6 further including advising the patient to consume medication.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the recorded parameter can be tracked and displayed over time.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the recorded parameter can be later displayed based on time of day sampled.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the recorded parameter can be later displayed following meals or activities.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the recorded parameter can be later displayed as averages over time.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the recorded parameter displayed can also show high and low values of each parameter.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the display is a graphic display.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the device further includes a pedometer or accelerometer to monitor steps or user exertion levels, or calories expended.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the device further includes means for monitoring ambient temperature or humidity.