Noninvasive Method And System For Monitoring Physiological Characteristics And Athletic Performance

• US 20110130643A1
• Filed: 08/26/2010
• Published: 06/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adidas AG
• Original Assignee: Adidas AG
• Inventors: MCLEAN, George, DERCHAK, P. Alexander
• Granted Patent: US 9,545,222 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/409
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• 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 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0008 Temperature signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0015 characterised by features of the telemetry system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 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 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/003 Detecting lung or respiration noise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/00 Measuring physiological parameters of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/04 heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/065 : within a certain range
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/08 : other bio-electrical signals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/10 : electroencephalographic signals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/30 : blood pressure A63B2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/40 : respiratory characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 : temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 : Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation

Abstract

A physiological monitoring system for noninvasively monitoring physiological parameters of a subject, comprising a fitness monitoring system for monitoring physiological parameters of a subject engaged in a physical activity, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, includes (i) a monitoring garment adapted to cover at least a portion of a subject'"'"'s torso, (ii) a magnetometer subsystem including a first magnetometer and a second magnetometer, wherein the first and second magnetometers are responsive to changes in distance therebetween, wherein the magnetometer subsystem is configured to generate and transmit a signal representative of a change in the distance between the first and second magnetometers, wherein the first and second magnetometers are incorporated into the monitoring garment, and wherein the first and second magnetometers are proximate to the subject'"'"'s chest region when the monitoring garment is worn by the subject.

Claims

1. A fitness monitoring system for monitoring parameters of a subject engaged in a physical activity, comprising:

a monitoring garment adapted to cover at least a portion of a subject'"'"'s torso;

a sensor subsystem including a first sensor and a second sensor, wherein the first and second sensors are responsive to changes in distance therebetween, wherein the sensor subsystem is configured to generate and transmit a distance signal representative of the distance between the first and second sensors, wherein the first and second sensors are incorporated into the garment, and wherein the first and second sensors are proximate to a subject'"'"'s chest region when the garment is worn by the subject; and

a processor subsystem in communication with the sensor subsystem and configured to receive the distance signal, wherein the processor subsystem is programmed and adapted to control the sensor subsystem and to process the distance signal, wherein the processor subsystem includes an empirical relationship for determining a respiratory parameter from the distance signal, and wherein the processor subsystem is adapted to generate and transmit a respiratory parameter signal representative of the respiratory parameter.

2. The fitness monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising a data monitoring subsystem programmed and adapted to receive the respiratory parameter signal, wherein the data monitoring subsystem is programmed and adapted to recognize and display the respiratory parameter represented by the respiratory parameter signal.

3. The fitness monitoring system of claim 2 further comprising a transmission subsystem adapted to control transmission of the distance signal from the sensor subsystem to the processor subsystem, and the respiratory parameter signal from the processor subsystem to the data monitoring subsystem.

4. The fitness monitoring system of claim 3, wherein the transmission subsystem includes a communication network.

5. The fitness monitoring system of claim 4, wherein the communication network comprises a wireless network.

6. The fitness monitoring system of claim 4, wherein the communication network comprises a wired network.

7. The fitness monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the system includes a physiological monitoring device adapted to detect a physiological parameter associated with the subject, the physiological monitoring device being further adapted to generate and transmit a physiological parameter signal representative of the detected physiological parameter.

8. The fitness monitoring system of claim 7, wherein the physiological monitoring device is incorporated into the monitoring garment.

9. The fitness monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the processor subsystem is incorporated into the monitoring garment.

10. The fitness monitoring system of claim 4, wherein the transmission subsystem is carried by the garment.

11. The fitness monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the garment comprises a shirt.

12. The fitness monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the garment comprises a vest.

13. The fitness monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising a device for monitoring the subject'"'"'s movement.

14. The fitness monitoring system of claim 13 further comprising an inertial sensor.

15. The fitness monitoring system of claim 13 further comprising a GPS receiver.

16. The fitness monitoring system of claim 1, wherein, when the garment is worn by a subject, the first sensor is positioned over the sternum of the subject at the level of the fourth intercostal space and the second sensor is placed over the spine at the same level.

17. The fitness monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the sensor subsystem includes at least three sensors, the at least three sensors forming more than one pair of sensors.

18. The fitness monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the sensor subsystem further includes a third sensor and a fourth sensor, wherein the third and fourth sensors are responsive to changes in distance therebetween, and wherein the sensor subsystem is configured to generate and transmit a signal representative of a change in the distance between the third and fourth sensors.

19. The fitness monitoring system of claim 18, wherein the third and fourth sensors are incorporated into the monitoring garment, and wherein the third and fourth sensors are positioned in the area of the subject'"'"'s abdomen when the monitoring garment is worn by the subject.

20. The fitness monitoring system of claim 19, wherein, when the garment is worn by the subject, the third sensor is positioned at the subject'"'"'s abdomen at the level of the umbilicus.

21. The fitness monitoring system of claim 20, wherein, when the monitoring garment is worn by the subject, the fourth sensor is positioned over the subject'"'"'s spine at the level of the umbilicus.

22. The fitness monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the sensors comprise magnetometers.

23. The fitness monitoring system of claim 22, wherein the sensors comprise electromagnetic coils.

24. The fitness monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the sensors comprise Hall effect sensors.

25. The fitness monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the sensors comprise electronic compass sensors.

26. A fitness monitoring system for monitoring parameters of a subject engaged in a physical activity, comprising:

a wearable monitoring garment, the monitoring garment being adapted to cover at least a portion of a subject'"'"'s torso;

a magnetometer subsystem including a first magnetometer and a second magnetometer, wherein the first and second magnetometers are responsive to changes in distance therebetween, wherein the magnetometer subsystem is configured to generate and transmit a magnetometer signal representative of the distance between the first and second magnetometers, wherein the first and second magnetometers are incorporated into the monitoring garment, wherein, when the monitoring garment is worn by the subject, the first and second magnetometers are disposed proximate the subject'"'"'s chest region;

a processor subsystem in communication with the magnetometer subsystem, the processor subsystem being programmed and adapted to control at least the magnetometer subsystem, the processor subsystem being further adapted to receive and process the magnetometer signal, the spatial parameter signal, and the physiological parameter signal, wherein the processor subsystem includes an empirical relationship for determining a respiratory parameter from the magnetometer signal, and further programmed and adapted to generate and transmit a respiratory parameter signal representative of the respiratory parameter; and

a data monitoring subsystem programmed and adapted to receive the respiratory parameter signal, the data monitoring subsystem being programmed to recognize and display the respiratory parameter associated with the respiratory parameter signal.

27. The fitness monitoring system of claim 26 further comprising a spatial parameter sensor adapted to detect orientation and motion of the subject, the spatial parameter sensor being further adapted to generate and transmit a spatial parameter signal representative of a detected motion of the subject, wherein the processor subsystem is adapted to receive and process the spatial parameter signal.

28. The fitness monitoring system of claim 27 further comprising a physiological sensor adapted to detect a physiological parameter associated with the subject, the physiological sensor being further adapted to generate and transmit a physiological parameter signal representative of the detected physiological parameter, wherein the processor subsystem is adapted to receive and process the physiological parameter signal.

29. The fitness monitoring system of claim 26, wherein the processor subsystem is further programmed and adapted to determine movement of the subject'"'"'s chest wall based on the magnetometer signal.

30. The fitness monitoring system of claim 29, wherein the processor subsystem is further programmed and adapted to determine a respiratory activity of the subject based on the chest wall movement.

31. The fitness monitoring system of claim 27, wherein the spatial parameter sensor is adapted to generate and transmit a spatial parameter signal representative of a detected orientation of the subject.

32. The fitness monitoring system of claim 26, wherein the processor subsystem is further programmed and adapted to generate a three-dimensional model of the subject'"'"'s chest wall from the magnetometer signal.

33. The fitness monitoring system of claim 26, wherein the processor subsystem includes stored adverse physiological parameters and the processor subsystem is further programmed and adapted to compare the detected physiological parameter to the stored adverse physiological parameters, and to generate and transmit a warning signal if the detected physiological parameter is one of the stored adverse physiological parameters.

34. The fitness monitoring system of claim 33, wherein the processor subsystem is further programmed and adapted to generate and transmit an adverse physiological parameter signal representative of the adverse physiological parameter associated with the warning signal.

35. The fitness monitoring system of claim 27, wherein the processor subsystem includes chest wall parameters, wherein the chest wall parameters have a spatial parameter associated therewith, and wherein the chest wall parameters represent a respiratory parameter and an anatomical parameter.

36. The fitness monitoring system of claim 35, wherein the processor subsystem is further programmed and adapted to compare the magnetometer signal and the spatial parameter signal to the chest wall parameters, to select a respective one of the chest wall parameters based on the magnetometer signal and the spatial parameter signal, and to generate and transmit a first chest wall parameter signal representative of the selected chest wall parameter.

37. The fitness monitoring system of claim 26, wherein the system includes an audio sensor adapted to detect sounds generated by the subject, the audio sensor being further adapted to generate and transmit an audio signal representative of a detected sound generated by the subject.

38. The fitness monitoring system of claim 29, wherein the data monitoring subsystem is further programmed and adapted to receive the chest wall signal and display the chest wall movement represented by the chest wall signal.

39. The fitness monitoring system of claim 30, wherein the data monitoring subsystem is further programmed and adapted to receive the respiratory activity signal and display the respiratory activity represented by the respiratory activity signal.

40. The fitness monitoring system of claim 35, wherein the data monitoring subsystem is further programmed and adapted to receive the chest wall parameter signal and display the chest wall parameter represented by the chest wall parameter signal.

41. The fitness monitoring system of claim 33, wherein the data monitoring subsystem is further programmed and adapted to receive the warning signal and display a warning identifying the adverse physiological parameter associated with the warning signal.

42. The fitness monitoring system of claim 32, wherein the data monitoring subsystem is further programmed and adapted to display the generated three-dimensional model of the subject'"'"'s chest wall.

43. The fitness monitoring system of claim 26, wherein the system further includes a transmission subsystem adapted to control transmission of the magnetometer signal from the magnetometer subsystem to the processor subsystem and to control transmission of signal transmissions from the processor subsystem to the data monitoring subsystem.

44. The fitness monitoring system of claim 43, wherein the transmission subsystem includes a communication network.

45. The fitness monitoring system of claim 44, wherein the communication network comprises a wireless network.

46. The fitness monitoring system of claim 28, wherein the physiological parameter is selected from the group consisting of an electrical activity of the heart, pulse rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation level, skin temperature, EMG, ECG, EEG, and core temperature.

47. The fitness monitoring system of claim 46, wherein the data monitoring subsystem is further programmed and adapted to receive the physiological parameter signal and display the physiological parameter represented by the physiological parameter signal.

48. The fitness monitoring system of claim 28, wherein the physiological sensor is incorporated into the monitoring garment.

49. The fitness monitoring system of claim 26, wherein the processor subsystem is incorporated into the monitoring garment.

50. The fitness monitoring system of claim 26, wherein, when the garment is worn by a subject, the first magnetometer is positioned over the sternum of the subject at the level of the fourth intercostal space and the second magnetometer is placed over the spine at the same level.

51. The fitness monitoring system of claim 26, wherein the magnetometer subsystem further includes a third magnetometer and a fourth magnetometer, wherein the third and fourth magnetometers are responsive to changes in distance therebetween, and wherein the magnetometer subsystem is configured to generate and transmit signal representative of a change in the distance between the third and fourth magnetometers,

52. The fitness monitoring system of claim 51, wherein the third and fourth magnetometers are incorporated into the monitoring garment, and wherein the third and fourth magnetometers are positioned in the area of the subject'"'"'s abdomen when the monitoring garment is worn by the subject.

53. The fitness monitoring system of claim 52, wherein, when the monitoring garment is worn by the subject, the third magnetometer is positioned at the subject'"'"'s abdomen at the level of the umbilicus.

54. The fitness monitoring system of claim 53, wherein, when the monitoring garment is worn by the subject, the fourth magnetometer is positioned over the subject'"'"'s spine at the level of the umbilicus.

55. A noninvasive method for monitoring parameters of a subject engaged in a physical activity, comprising:

generating a magnetometer signal representative of the distance between a first magnetometer and a second magnetometer, wherein the first and second magnetometers are incorporated into a monitoring garment, and wherein, when the monitoring garment is worn by the subject, the first and second magnetometers are disposed proximate the subject'"'"'s chest region;

determining movement of the subject'"'"'s chest wall as a function of the magnetometer signal and determining a respiratory activity of the subject as a function of the chest wall movement;

56. The method of claim 55 further comprising determining a chest wall movement based upon the magnetometer signal.