Monitoring, tracking, and managing symptoms of autism spectrum disorder

• US 9,924,900 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2013
• Issued: 03/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alexis Pracar, Shane Pracar
• Original Assignee: Alexis Pracar, Shane Pracar
• Inventors: Pracar, Alexis, Pracar, Shane
• Primary Examiner(s): Cerioni, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Warsi, Yasmeen S
• Application Number:
  US14/021,449
• Publication Number:
  US 20150073309A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,660 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4094 Diagnosing or monitoring seizure diseases, e.g. epilepsy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4836 Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods A61B5/0036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/74 Details of notification to user or communication with user or patient indicating measured values G01D7/00; user input means input or output arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7455 characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0022 by the tactile sense, e.g. vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0027 by the hearing sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/005 images, e.g. video
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/00 Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/332 Force measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/505 Touch-screens; Virtual keyboard or keypads; Virtual buttons; Soft keys; Mouse touches
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/52 with memories providing a history of measured variating parameters of apparatus or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 : on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 : Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/63 : Motion, e.g. physical activity

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention describe mechanisms configured to monitor, track, and manage symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. According to particular embodiments, a system includes sensors configured to monitor repetitive motion exhibited by a user with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The sensors are connected to a processor that is configured to determine whether the repetitive motion exhibited by the user exceeds an autism episode threshold. Once the autism episode threshold has been reached, the processor can access from memory an autism episode alleviation action associated with the user. Materials associated with the autism episode alleviation action can be presented to the user through an output interface, such that presentation of these materials is configured to reduce the severity or duration of the autism episode.

Claims

1. A dynamic autism treatment system comprising:

a plurality of sensors configured to monitor head rolling exhibited by a user on an autism spectrum;

a processor connected to the plurality of sensors, the processor configured to determine whether the head rolling exhibited by the user is comparable to characteristic repetitive motions data for a type of autism to determine that the user is experiencing an autism episode, the processor being further configured to determine a type of autism episode based on characteristics of the head rolling, the processor further configured to filter out artifacts not related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from data detected by the plurality of sensors;

memory configured to store ASD characteristic repetitive motions data and a plurality of autism episode alleviation actions associated with different types of autism episodes, wherein an autism episode alleviation action is accessed by the processor upon determining that the user is experiencing an autism episode and the type of autism episode, wherein selecting an autism episode alleviation actions includes utilizing prior effectiveness data of specific autism episode alleviation actions used for specific types of autism episodes, thereby continuously refining which autism episode alleviation actions are selected; and

an output interface physically configured and positioned to display a video to the user in a manner that disrupts repetitive head rolling by the user, the materials being from the autism episode alleviation action, wherein playback of the autism episode alleviation action is triggered when an autism episode threshold is reached, the autism episode alleviation action configured to reduce the severity or duration of the head rolling, and wherein the autism alleviation action is selected based on the type of autism episode detected.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is a bracelet.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the repetitive motion comprises hand flapping.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the repetitive motion comprises rocking back and forth.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors comprise a gyroscope and an accelerometer.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors comprise a rotation and orientation sensor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the autism episode alleviation action comprises playing a customized audio clip.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the autism episode alleviation action comprises providing the user with access to a game.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the effectiveness of the autism episode alleviation action is monitored by the system.

10. A dynamic autism treatment apparatus comprising:

a bracelet including a plurality of sensors configured to monitor head rolling exhibited by a user on an autism spectrum; and

a mobile device comprising;

a processor connected to the plurality of sensors, the processor configured to determine whether head rolling by the user is comparable to characteristic repetitive motions data for a type of autism to determine that the user is experiencing an autism episode, the processor being further configured to determine a type of autism episode based on characteristics of the head rolling, the processor further configured to filter out artifacts not related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from data detected by the plurality of sensors;

memory configured to store ASD characteristic repetitive motions data and a plurality of autism episode alleviation actions associated with different types of autism episodes, wherein an autism episode alleviation action is accessed by the processor upon determining that the user is experiencing an autism episode and the type of autism episode, wherein selecting an autism episode alleviation action includes utilizing prior effectiveness data of specific autism episode alleviation actions used for specific types of autism episodes, thereby continuously refining which autism episode alleviation action is selected; and

an output interface physically configured and positioned to display a video to the user in a manner that disrupts repetitive head rolling by the user, the materials being from the autism episode alleviation action, wherein playback of the autism episode alleviation action is triggered when an autism episode threshold is reached, the autism episode alleviation action configured to reduce the severity or duration of the head rolling, and wherein the autism alleviation action is selected based on the type of autism episode detected.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the bracelet is a watch.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the repetitive motion comprises hand flapping.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the repetitive motion comprises rocking back and forth.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of sensors comprise a gyroscope and an accelerometer.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of sensors comprise a rotation and orientation sensor.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the autism episode alleviation action comprises playing a customized audio clip.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the autism episode alleviation action comprises providing the user with access to a game.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the effectiveness of the autism episode alleviation action is monitored by the system.