RESPIRATION CHARACTERISTIC ANALYSIS APPARATUS AND RESPIRATION CHARACTERISTIC ANALYSIS SYSTEM

• US 20120016255A1
• Filed: 07/12/2011
• Published: 01/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tanita Corporation (Tanita)
• Original Assignee: Tanita Corporation (Tanita)
• Inventors: MASUO, Yoshihisa
• Application Number:
  US13/181,257
• Publication Number:
  US 20120016255A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/547
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• 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 5/022 by applying pressure to close blood vessels, e.g. against the skin; Ophthalmodynamometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0535 Impedance plethysmography for measuring blood flow A61B5/0295
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0809 by impedance pneumography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/082 Evaluation by breath analysis, e.g. determination of the chemical composition of exhaled breath A61B5/083, A61B5/091 take precedence

Abstract

A respiration characteristic analysis apparatus includes a bioelectrical impedance determiner adapted for determining bioelectrical impedance at a part including the right lung of a human subject and for determining bioelectrical impedance at a part including the left lung of the human subject; and a respiration depth calculator adapted for calculating a right lung respiration depth related to a respiration capability of the right lung of the human subject on the basis of change over time in the bioelectrical impedance at the part including the right lung determined by the bioelectrical impedance determiner, and for calculating a left lung respiration depth related to a respiration capability of the left lung of the human subject on the basis of change over time in the bioelectrical impedance at the part including the left lung determined by the bioelectrical impedance determiner.

Claims

1. A respiration characteristic analysis apparatus comprising:

a bioelectrical impedance determiner adapted for determining a bioelectrical impedance at a part including the right lung of a human subject and for determining a bioelectrical impedance at a part including the left lung of the human subject; and

a respiration depth calculator adapted for calculating a right lung respiration depth related to a respiration capability of the right lung of the human subject on the basis of change over time in the bioelectrical impedance at the part including the right lung determined by the bioelectrical impedance determiner, and for calculating a left lung respiration depth related to a respiration capability of the left lung of the human subject on the basis of change over time in the bioelectrical impedance at the part including the left lung determined by the bioelectrical impedance determiner.

2. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bioelectrical impedance determiner is adapted for determining a first bioelectrical impedance at the right upper body trunk of the human subject including the upper lobe of the right lung of the human subject and excluding the abdomen of the human subject, and for determining a second bioelectrical impedance at the left upper body trunk of the human subject including the upper lobe of the left lung of the human subject and excluding the abdomen of the human subject, and

wherein the respiration depth calculator is adapted for calculating a first right lung respiration depth related to a respiration capability of the upper lobe of the right lung of the human subject on the basis of change over time in the first bioelectrical impedance, and for calculating a first left lung respiration depth related to a respiration capability of the upper lobe of the left lung of the human subject on the basis of change over time in the second bioelectrical impedance.

3. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

a first centering value generator adapted for generating a first centering value that is an average of the first bioelectrical impedances within a past unit time on the basis of change over time in the first bioelectrical impedance, and for generating a second centering value that is an average of the second bioelectrical impedances within a past unit time on the basis of change over time in the second bioelectrical impedance, the first centering value being a standard level of change over time in the first bioelectrical impedance, the second centering value being a standard level of change over time in the second bioelectrical impedance;

a first difference calculator adapted for calculating a first difference between the first bioelectrical impedance and the first centering value; and

a second difference calculator adapted for calculating a second difference between the second bioelectrical impedance and the second centering value,

wherein the respiration depth calculator is adapted for calculating the first right lung respiration depth on the basis of the first difference, and for calculating the first left lung respiration depth on the basis of the second difference.

4. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the respiration depth calculator is adapted for calculating, at every respiration of the human subject, the first right lung respiration depth that is a sum of absolute values of a local maximum and a local minimum of the first differences within a single respiration, and wherein the respiration depth calculator is adapted for calculating, at every respiration of the human subject, the first left lung respiration depth that is a sum of absolute values of a local maximum and a local minimum of the second differences within a single respiration.

5. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the bioelectrical impedance determiner is adapted for determining the first bioelectrical impedance and the second bioelectrical impedance at each sampling time occurring at a predetermined cycle,

wherein the first centering value generator is adapted for generating the first centering value on the basis of the first bioelectrical impedance at each of sampling times, a number of the sampling times being predetermined, and

wherein the first centering value generator is adapted for generating the second centering value on the basis of the second bioelectrical impedance at each of sampling times, a number of the sampling times being predetermined.

6. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first centering value generator is adapted for calculating a first moving average at each sampling time, the first moving average being a moving average of the first bioelectrical impedances at multiple sampling times within a centering period starting from a time point that is a predetermined time length before a current sampling time and ending at the current sampling time, wherein the first centering value generator is adapted for generating the first centering value at the current sampling time on the basis of the first moving averages at multiple sampling times,

wherein the first centering value generator is adapted for calculating a second moving average at each sampling time, the second moving average being a moving average of the second bioelectrical impedances at multiple sampling times within the centering period, and wherein the first centering value generator is adapted for generating the second centering value at the current sampling time on the basis of the second moving averages at multiple sampling times.

7. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a time length of the centering period is variable and is set depending on the respiration speed of the human subject at the current sampling time.

8. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the bioelectrical impedance determiner is adapted for determining a third bioelectrical impedance at the right middle body trunk of the human subject including the median and lower lobes of the right lung of the human subject and the abdomen of the human subject at each sampling time, and is adapted for determining a fourth bioelectrical impedance at the left middle body trunk of the human subject including the median and lower lobes of the left lung of the human subject and the abdomen of the human subject at each sampling time,

the respiration characteristic analysis apparatus further comprising:

a second centering value generator adapted for generating a third centering value that is an average of the third bioelectrical impedances within a past unit time on the basis of change over time in the third bioelectrical impedance, and for generating a fourth centering value that is an average of the fourth bioelectrical impedances within a past unit time on the basis of change over time in the fourth bioelectrical impedance, the third centering value being a standard level of change over time in the third bioelectrical impedance, the fourth centering value being a standard level of change over time in the fourth bioelectrical impedance;

a third difference calculator adapted for calculating a third difference between the third bioelectrical impedance and the third centering value;

a fourth difference calculator adapted for calculating a fourth difference between the fourth bioelectrical impedance and the fourth centering value; and

a zero-cross time decider adapted for deciding first zero-cross times in which the first bioelectrical impedance is equal to the first centering value, and for deciding second zero-cross times in which the second bioelectrical impedance is equal to the second centering value,

wherein the second centering value generator is adapted for generating a third centering value on the basis of the third bioelectrical impedances at the first zero-cross times decided by the zero-cross time decider, and for generating a fourth centering value on the basis of the fourth bioelectrical impedances at the second zero-cross times decided by the zero-cross time decider, and

wherein the respiration depth calculator is adapted for calculating a second right lung respiration depth related to a respiration capability of the median and lower lobes of the right lung of the human subject on the basis of the third difference, and for calculating a second left lung respiration depth related to a respiration capability of the median and lower lobes of the left lung of the human subject on the basis of the fourth difference.

9. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second centering value generator is adapted for deciding whether or not each sampling time is a first zero-cross time, and for generating the third centering value at the current sampling time on the basis of the third bioelectrical impedances including the third bioelectrical impedance at the current sampling time if the current sampling time is a first zero-cross time, and wherein the centering value generator is adapted for deciding the third centering value generated at a last sampling time as the third centering value at the current sampling time if the current sampling time is not a first zero-cross time.

10. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second centering value generator is adapted for deciding whether or not each sampling time is a second zero-cross time, and for generating the fourth centering value at the current sampling time on the basis of the fourth bioelectrical impedances including the fourth bioelectrical impedance at the current sampling time if the current sampling time is a second zero-cross time, and wherein the centering value generator is adapted for deciding the fourth centering value generated at a last sampling time as the fourth centering value at the current sampling time if the current sampling time is not a second zero-cross time.

11. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the respiration depth calculator is adapted for calculating, at every respiration of the human subject, the second right lung respiration depth that is a sum of absolute values of a local maximum and a local minimum of the third differences within a single respiration, and wherein the respiration depth calculator is adapted for calculating, at every respiration of the human subject, the second left lung respiration depth that is a sum of absolute values of a local maximum and a local minimum of the fourth differences within a single respiration.

12. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bioelectrical impedance determiner is adapted for determining a third bioelectrical impedance at the right middle body trunk of the human subject including the median and lower lobes of the right lung of the human subject and the abdomen of the human subject, and for determining a fourth bioelectrical impedance at the left middle body trunk of the human subject including the median and lower lobes of the left lung of the human subject and the abdomen of the human subject,

wherein the respiration depth calculator is adapted for calculating a second right lung respiration depth related to a respiration capability of the median and lower lobes of the right lung of the human subject on the basis of change over time in the third bioelectrical impedance, and is adapted for calculating a second left lung respiration depth related to a respiration capability of the median and lower lobes of the left lung of the human subject on the basis of change over time in the fourth bioelectrical impedance.

13. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bioelectrical impedance determiner is adapted for determining a first bioelectrical impedance at the right upper body trunk of the human subject including the upper lobe of the right lung of the human subject and excluding the abdomen of the human subject, for determining a second bioelectrical impedance at the left upper body trunk of the human subject including the upper lobe of the left lung of the human subject and excluding the abdomen of the human subject, for determining a third bioelectrical impedance at the right middle body trunk of the human subject including the median and lower lobes of the right lung of the human subject and the abdomen of the human subject, and for determining a fourth bioelectrical impedance at the left middle body trunk of the human subject including the median and lower lobes of the left lung of the human subject and the abdomen of the human subject, and

wherein the respiration depth calculator is adapted for calculating the right lung respiration depth related to the respiration capability of the right lung of the human subject on the basis of change over time in each of the first bioelectrical impedance and the third bioelectrical impedance, and for calculating the left lung respiration depth related to the respiration capability of the left lung of the human subject on the basis of change over time in each of the second bioelectrical impedance and the fourth bioelectrical impedance.

14. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a display data generator adapted for generating first display data for displaying a first Lissajous figure showing change over time in the first bioelectrical impedance and change over time in the third bioelectrical impedance in an orthogonal coordinate system having two orthogonal coordinate axes in which a first axis is the first bioelectrical impedance and a second axis is the third bioelectrical impedance, and for generating second display data for displaying a second Lissajous figure showing change over time in the second bioelectrical impedance and change over time in the fourth bioelectrical impedance in an orthogonal coordinate system having two orthogonal coordinate axes in which a first axis is the second bioelectrical impedance and a second axis is the fourth bioelectrical impedance.

15. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the display data generator is adapted for generating the first display data for displaying the first Lissajous figure and the second display data for displaying the second Lissajous figure so that the first Lissajous figure and the second Lissajous figure are overlaid on a screen.

16. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the display data generator is adapted for generating the first display data for displaying the first Lissajous figure and the second display data for displaying the second Lissajous figure so that a displaying manner for the first Lissajous figure is different from a displaying manner for the second Lissajous figure.

17. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a track analyzer adapted for detecting differences between a track of the first Lissajous figure and a track of the second Lissajous figure,

wherein the display data generator is adapted for generating the first display data for displaying the first Lissajous figure and the second display data for displaying the second Lissajous figure so that the differences are highlighted on a screen.

18. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a local-maximum-and-minimum decider adapted for deciding a first local maximum that is a local maximum of change in the first bioelectrical impedance, for deciding a first local minimum that is a local minimum of change in the first bioelectrical impedance, for deciding a second local maximum that is a local maximum of change in the second bioelectrical impedance, for deciding a second local minimum that is a local minimum of change in the second bioelectrical impedance, for deciding a third local maximum that is a local maximum of change in the third bioelectrical impedance, for deciding a third local minimum that is a local minimum of change in the third bioelectrical impedance, for deciding a fourth local maximum that is a local maximum of change in the fourth bioelectrical impedance, and for deciding a fourth local minimum that is a local minimum of change in the fourth bioelectrical impedance,

wherein the display data generator is adapted for generating the first display data for displaying the first Lissajous figure so that a range of the first Lissajous figure on a screen on which the first and second Lissajous figures are displayed in the first axis is adjusted on the basis of the first local maximum and the first local minimum, and a range of the first Lissajous figure on the screen in the second axis is adjusted on the basis of the third local maximum and the third local minimum, and

wherein the display data generator is adapted for generating the second display data for displaying the second Lissajous figure so that a range of the second Lissajous figure on the screen in the first axis is adjusted on the basis of the second local maximum and the second local minimum, and a range of the second Lissajous figure on the screen in the second axis is adjusted on the basis of the fourth local maximum and the fourth local minimum.

19. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a local-maximum-and-minimum decider adapted for deciding a first local maximum that is a local maximum of change in the first bioelectrical impedance, for deciding a first local minimum that is a local minimum of change in the first bioelectrical impedance, for deciding a second local maximum that is a local maximum of change in the second bioelectrical impedance, for deciding a second local minimum that is a local minimum of change in the second bioelectrical impedance, for deciding a third local maximum that is a local maximum of change in the third bioelectrical impedance, for deciding a third local minimum that is a local minimum of change in the third bioelectrical impedance, for deciding a fourth local maximum that is a local maximum of change in the fourth bioelectrical impedance, and for deciding a fourth local minimum that is a local minimum of change in the fourth bioelectrical impedance,

wherein when the display data generator generates the first display data for displaying the first Lissajous figure and the second display data for displaying the second Lissajous figure, the display data generator is adapted for executing a first range adjustment process in which a range of the first Lissajous figure on a screen in which the first and second Lissajous figures are displayed in the first axis is adjusted on the basis of the first local maximum and the first local minimum, whereas a range of the second Lissajous figure on the screen in the first axis is adjusted on the basis of the second local maximum and the second local minimum, and is adapted for executing a second range adjustment process in which a range of the first Lissajous figure on the screen in the second axis is adjusted on the basis of the third local maximum and the third local minimum, whereas a range of the second Lissajous figure on the screen in the second axis is adjusted on the basis of the fourth local maximum and the fourth local minimum, and wherein the display data generator is adapted for executing the second range adjustment process less frequently than that for the first range adjustment process.

20. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a display data generator adapted for generating display data for displaying a Lissajous figure showing change over time in the first bioelectrical impedance and change over time in the third bioelectrical impedance in an orthogonal coordinate system having two orthogonal coordinate axes in which a first axis is the first bioelectrical impedance and a second axis is the third bioelectrical impedance, or for generating display data for displaying a Lissajous figure showing change over time in the second bioelectrical impedance and change over time in the fourth bioelectrical impedance in an orthogonal coordinate system having two orthogonal coordinate axes in which a first axis is the second bioelectrical impedance and a second axis is the fourth bioelectrical impedance.

21. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the display data generator is adapted for generating the display data for displaying the Lissajous figure so that a displaying manner for a track of the Lissajous figure for a latest single respiration is different from a displaying manner for a track of the Lissajous figure for past respirations.

22. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the display data generator is adapted for generating the display data for displaying the Lissajous figure so that a displaying manner for tracks of the Lissajous figure is changed depending on an elapsed time.

23. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the display data generator is adapted for further generating target display data for displaying a target Lissajous figure showing a target model of breathing having a type and a magnitude of respiration to be performed by the human subject for guiding the human subject to perform breathing.

24. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising:

an inclination angle calculator adapted for calculating an inclination angle of a track of the Lissajous figure; and

a ventilation capability determiner adapted for comparing the inclination angle calculated by the inclination angle calculator with a predetermined reference inclination angle, so as to decide whether or not a lung ventilation capability of the human subject is good or bad.

25. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a memory adapted for storing training menus that are used for training the human subject for breathing, the training menus being classified into rankings of respiration capability, the memory storing requirements for advancing through the rankings;

a respiration capability determiner adapted for determining a respiration capability of the human subject on the basis of determination by the bioelectrical impedance determiner or calculation by the respiration depth calculator; and

a training manager adapted for referring to the memory for identifying a ranking corresponding to the respiration capability determined by the respiration capability determiner, and for executing a process for training the human subject for breathing using the training menus corresponding to the ranking,

wherein the training manager is adapted for advancing the ranking to a next ranking if the requirement for advancing through the ranking is satisfied.

26. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the bioelectrical impedance determiner is adapted for determining a fifth bioelectrical impedance at the upper body trunk of the human subject including the upper lobes of the lungs of the human subject and excluding the abdomen of the human subject, and for determining a sixth bioelectrical impedance at the middle body trunk of the human subject including the median and lower lobes of lungs of the human subject and the abdomen of the human subject,

wherein the respiration capability determiner is adapted for determining a type and a magnitude of respiration of the human subject as the respiration capability of the human subject on the basis of determination by the bioelectrical impedance determiner.

27. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising:

a third centering value generator adapted for generating a fifth centering value that is an average of the fifth bioelectrical impedances within a past unit time on the basis of change over time in the fifth bioelectrical impedance, and for generating a sixth centering value that is an average of the sixth bioelectrical impedances within a past unit time on the basis of change over time in the sixth bioelectrical impedance, the fifth centering value being a standard level of change over time in the fifth bioelectrical impedance, the sixth centering value being a standard level of change over time in the sixth bioelectrical impedance;

a fifth difference calculator adapted for calculating a fifth difference between the fifth bioelectrical impedance and the fifth centering value; and

a sixth difference calculator adapted for calculating a sixth difference between the sixth bioelectrical impedance and the sixth centering value,

wherein the respiration capability determiner is adapted for determining a type and a magnitude of respiration of the human subject on the basis of the fifth difference and the sixth difference.

28. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising a second zero-cross time decider adapted for deciding third zero-cross times in which the fifth bioelectrical impedance is equal to the fifth centering value, and for deciding fourth zero-cross times in which the sixth bioelectrical impedance is equal to the sixth centering value,

wherein the bioelectrical impedance determiner is adapted for determining the fifth bioelectrical impedance and the sixth bioelectrical impedance at each sampling time occurring at a predetermined cycle,

wherein the third centering value generator is adapted for generating the fifth centering value on the basis of the fifth bioelectrical impedance at each of sampling times, a number of the sampling times being predetermined, and

wherein the third centering value generator is adapted for generating the sixth centering value on the basis of the sixth bioelectrical impedance at each of third zero-cross times decided by the second zero-cross time decider, a number of the third zero-cross times being predetermined.

29. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 28, wherein

the third centering value generator is adapted for calculating a moving average at each sampling time, the moving average being a moving average of the fifth bioelectrical impedances at multiple sampling times within a centering period starting from a time point that is a predetermined time length before a current sampling time and ending at the current sampling time, and wherein the third centering value generator is adapted for generating the fifth centering value at the current sampling time on the basis of the moving averages at multiple sampling times.

30. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 29, wherein a time length of the centering period is variable and is set depending on the respiration speed of the human subject at the current sampling time.

31. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the third centering value generator is adapted for deciding whether or not each sampling time is a third zero-cross time, and for generating the sixth centering value at the current sampling time on the basis of the sixth bioelectrical impedances including the sixth bioelectrical impedance at the current sampling time if the current sampling time is a third zero-cross time, and wherein the third centering value generator is adapted for deciding the sixth centering value generated at a last sampling time as the sixth centering value at the current sampling time if the current sampling time is not a third zero-cross time.

32. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising a display data generator adapted for generating display data for displaying a Lissajous figure showing change over time in the fifth bioelectrical impedance and change over time in the sixth bioelectrical impedance in an orthogonal coordinate system having two orthogonal coordinate axes in which a first axis is the fifth bioelectrical impedance and a second axis is the sixth bioelectrical impedance.

33. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising:

a display data generator adapted for generating display data for displaying a Lissajous figure showing change over time in the fifth bioelectrical impedance and change over time in the sixth bioelectrical impedance in an orthogonal coordinate system having two orthogonal coordinate axes in which a first axis is the fifth bioelectrical impedance and a second axis is the sixth bioelectrical impedance; and

a third centering value generator adapted for generating a fifth centering value that is an average of the fifth bioelectrical impedances within a past unit time on the basis of change over time in the fifth bioelectrical impedance, and for generating a sixth centering value that is an average of the sixth bioelectrical impedances within a past unit time on the basis of change over time in the sixth bioelectrical impedance, the fifth centering value being a standard level of change over time in the fifth bioelectrical impedance, the sixth centering value being a standard level of change over time in the sixth bioelectrical impedance,

wherein the display data generator is adapted for generating display data for displaying the Lissajous figure so that a position on the Lissajous figure defined by the fifth centering value and the sixth centering value is located at a center of a screen in which the Lissajous figure is displayed.

34. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising a display data generator adapted for generating display data for displaying a Lissajous figure showing change over time in the fifth bioelectrical impedance and change over time in the sixth bioelectrical impedance in an orthogonal coordinate system having two orthogonal coordinate axes in which a first axis is the fifth bioelectrical impedance and a second axis is the sixth bioelectrical impedance;

and

a third centering value generator adapted for generating a fifth centering value that is an average of the fifth bioelectrical impedances within a past unit time on the basis of change over time in the fifth bioelectrical impedance, and for generating a sixth centering value that is an average of the sixth bioelectrical impedances within a past unit time on the basis of change over time in the sixth bioelectrical impedance, the fifth centering value being a standard level of change over time in the fifth bioelectrical impedance, the sixth centering value being a standard level of change over time in the sixth bioelectrical impedance,

wherein when the display data generator generates the display data for displaying the Lissajous figure, the display data generator is adapted for executing a first location centering process in which the Lissajous figure is centered in the first axis with respect to a screen in which the Lissajous figure is displayed on the basis of the fifth centering value, and is adapted for executing a second location centering process in which the Lissajous figure is centered in the second axis with respect to the screen on the basis of the sixth centering value, wherein the display data generator is adapted for executing the second location centering process at less frequently than that for the first location centering process.

35. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 32, further comprising a local-maximum-and-minimum decider adapted for deciding a fifth local maximum that is a local maximum of change in the fifth bioelectrical impedance, for deciding a fifth local minimum that is a local minimum of change in the fifth bioelectrical impedance, for deciding a sixth local maximum that is a local maximum of change in the sixth bioelectrical impedance, and for deciding a sixth local minimum that is a local minimum of change in the sixth bioelectrical impedance,

wherein the display data generator is adapted for generating the display data for displaying the Lissajous figure so that a range of the Lissajous figure on a screen in which the Lissajous figure is displayed in the first and second axes is adjusted on the basis of the fifth local maximum, the fifth local minimum, the sixth local maximum, and the sixth local minimum.

36. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 32, further comprising a local-maximum-and-minimum decider adapted for deciding a fifth local maximum that is a local maximum of change in the fifth bioelectrical impedance, for deciding a fifth local minimum that is a local minimum of change in the fifth bioelectrical impedance, for deciding a sixth local maximum that is a local maximum of change in the sixth bioelectrical impedance, and for deciding a sixth local minimum that is a local minimum of change in the sixth bioelectrical impedance,

wherein when the display data generator generates the display data for displaying the Lissajous figure, the display data generator is adapted for executing a first range adjustment process in which a range of the Lissajous figure on a screen in which the Lissajous figure is displayed in the first axis is adjusted on the basis of the fifth local maximum and the fifth local minimum, and is adapted for executing a second range adjustment process in which a range of the Lissajous figure on the screen in the second axis is adjusted on the basis of the sixth local maximum and the sixth local minimum, and wherein the display data generator is adapted for executing the second range adjustment process less frequently than that for the first range adjustment process.

37. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the display data generator is adapted for generating the display data for displaying the Lissajous figure so that a displaying manner for a track of the Lissajous figure for a latest single respiration is different from a displaying manner for a track of the Lissajous figure for past respirations.

38. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the display data generator is adapted for generating the display data for displaying the Lissajous figure so that a displaying manner for tracks of the Lissajous figure is changed depending on an elapsed time.

39. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the display data generator is adapted for further generating target display data for displaying a target Lissajous figure showing a target model of breathing having a type and a magnitude of respiration to be performed by the human subject for guiding the human subject to perform breathing.

40. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 32, further comprising:

an inclination angle calculator adapted for calculating an inclination angle of a track of the Lissajous figure; and

a ventilation capability determiner adapted for comparing the inclination angle calculated by the inclination angle calculator with a predetermined reference inclination angle, so as to decide whether or not a lung ventilation capability of the human subject is good or bad.

41. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising:

a respiration depth calculator adapted for calculating a respiration depth of the human subject at every respiration of the human subject; and

a graph generator adapted for generating display data for indicating a graph showing change over time of respiration depth calculated by the respiration depth calculator, in such a manner that the graph is nonlinearly compressed in a direction of time axis and earlier time intervals are more compressed than later time intervals, so that a time resolution for later time intervals is higher than that for earlier time intervals.

42. A respiration characteristic analysis apparatus comprising:

an input part for inputting to the respiration characteristic analysis apparatus a bioelectrical impedance at a part including the right lung of a human subject and for determining a bioelectrical impedance at a part including the left lung of the human subject, the bioelectrical impedances being determined at a bioelectrical impedance determination apparatus; and

a respiration depth calculator adapted for calculating a right lung respiration depth related to a respiration capability of the right lung of the human subject on the basis of change over time in the bioelectrical impedance at the part including the right lung, and for calculating a left lung respiration depth related to a respiration capability of the left lung of the human subject on the basis of change over time in the bioelectrical impedance at the part including the left lung.

43. The respiration characteristic analysis apparatus according to claim 42, further comprising:

a memory adapted for storing training menus that are used for training the human subject for breathing, the training menus being classified into rankings of respiration capability, the memory storing requirements for advancing through the rankings;

a respiration capability determiner adapted for determining a respiration capability of the human subject on the basis of change over time in each of the bioelectrical impedances input by the input part; and

a training manager adapted for referring to the memory for identifying a ranking corresponding to the respiration capability determined by the respiration capability determiner, and for executing a process for training the human subject for breathing using the training menus corresponding to the ranking,

wherein the training manager is adapted for advancing the ranking to a next ranking if the requirement for advancing through the ranking is satisfied.

44. A respiration characteristic analysis system comprising:

a bioelectrical impedance determiner adapted for determining a bioelectrical impedance at a part including the right lung of a human subject and for determining a bioelectrical impedance at a part including the left lung of the human subject; and

a respiration depth calculator adapted for calculating a right lung respiration depth related to a respiration capability of the right lung of the human subject on the basis of change over time in the bioelectrical impedance at the part including the right lung determined by the bioelectrical impedance determiner, and for calculating a left lung respiration depth related to a respiration capability of the left lung of the human subject on the basis of change over time in the bioelectrical impedance at the part including the left lung determined by the bioelectrical impedance determiner.

45. The respiration characteristic analysis system according to claim 44, further comprising:

a memory adapted for storing training menus that are used for training the human subject for breathing, the training menus being classified into rankings of respiration capability, the memory storing requirements for advancing through the rankings;

a respiration capability determiner adapted for determining a respiration capability of the human subject on the basis of the bioelectrical impedances determined by the bioelectrical impedance determiner; and

a training manager adapted for referring to the memory for identifying a ranking corresponding to the respiration capability determined by the respiration capability determiner, and for executing a process for training the human subject for breathing using the training menus corresponding to the ranking,

wherein the training manager is adapted for advancing the ranking to a next ranking if the requirement for advancing through the ranking is satisfied.