Apparatus for providing information based on association variables

• US 20070219433A1
• Filed: 02/09/2007
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trigeminal Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Trigeminal Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Stupp, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 8,845,531 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• 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 5/7267 involving training the classification device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/18 for evaluating statistical data , e.g. average values, frequency distributions, probability functions, regression analysis forecasting specially adapted for a specific administrative, business or logistic context G06Q10/04
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/60 relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/30 for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/50 for simulation or modelling of medical disorders
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/70 for mining of medical data, e.g. analysing previous cases of other patients
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

An apparatus, and related method, for providing information based on variables associated with a type of headache is described. The apparatus may include at least one processor, at least one memory, and at least one program module. The program module may be stored in the memory and may be configured or configurable to be executed by the processor. The program module may include instructions for receiving a list of variables. Note that these variables may be triggers that at least in part induce a headache associated with the type of headache in at least one individual if at least the one individual is exposed to one or more of the variables. The program module may include instructions for determining that at least the one individual is at risk of experiencing a headache associated with the type of headache during a first time interval. This determination may be based on the variables. Furthermore, the program module may include instructions for providing a message to at least the one individual in accordance with the determined risk.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing information based on variables associated with a type of headache, comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one memory; and

at least one program module, the program module stored in the memory and configurable to be executed by the processor, the program module including;

instructions for receiving a list of variables, wherein the variables are triggers that at least in part induce a headache associated with the type of headache in at least one individual if at least the one individual is exposed to one or more of the variables;

instructions for determining that at least the one individual is at risk of experiencing a headache associated with the type of headache during a first time interval, wherein the determination is in accordance with the variables; and

instructions for providing a message to at least the one individual in accordance with the determined risk.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the type of headache includes migraine, cluster headache, or tension headache.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, the program module further including instructions for receiving information including behaviors or environmental exposures of at least the one individual during a second time interval, wherein the second time interval precedes the first time interval.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the behaviors include exercise, travel in a vehicle, sleep patterns, dietary patterns, one or more foods consumed, or one or more beverages consumed.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the environmental exposures include exposures to weather conditions, allergens, light, sound, or odors.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the determining is further in accordance with the received information.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the received information further includes onset times of one or more headaches associated with the type of headache experienced by at least the one individual.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the determining is further in accordance with the onset times and the received information.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the determining includes calculating a statistical relationship between the received information corresponding to the variables and the onset times.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the message includes a warning that at least the one individual is at risk of experiencing a headache associated with the type of headache.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the message includes directions to take a pharmacological agent during the first time interval.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the message includes directions to avoid one or more of the variables during the first time interval.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the determining includes accessing records of an environmental condition during a second time interval, and wherein the second time interval precedes the first time interval.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the records include a weather history.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the records include an allergen-level history.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the determining includes accessing records of a predicted environmental condition during the first time interval.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the predicted environmental condition is in accordance with a weather forecast or an allergen-level forecast.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving involves accessing the list of variables in a computer-readable storage medium.

19. A method for providing information based on variables associated with a type of headache, comprising:

receiving a list of variables, wherein the variables are triggers that at least in part induce a headache associated with the type of headache in at least one individual if at least the one individual is exposed to one or more of the variables;

determining that at least the one individual is at risk of experiencing a headache associated with the type of headache during a first time interval, wherein the determination is in accordance with the variables; and

providing a message to at least the one individual in accordance with the determined risk.

20. A computer-program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer-program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium and a computer-program mechanism embedded therein for providing information based on variables associated with a type of headache, the computer-program mechanism including:

instructions for receiving a list of variables, wherein the variables are triggers that at least in part induce a headache associated with the type of headache in at least one individual if at least the one individual is exposed to one or more of the variables;

instructions for determining that at least the one individual is at risk of experiencing a headache associated with the type of headache during a first time interval, wherein the determination is in accordance with the variables; and

instructions for providing a message to at least the one individual in accordance with the determined risk.