BREATH VOLUME MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20160213287A1
• Filed: 04/05/2016
• Published: 07/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MyAir, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Myair LLC
• Inventors: KULLER, David T.
• Granted Patent: US 10,123,724 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0261 Strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0803 Recording apparatus specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0826 Detecting or evaluating apnoea events A61B5/4818 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/091 Measuring volume of inspired or expired gases, e.g. to determine lung capacity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7207 of noise induced by motion artifacts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/721 using a separate sensor to detect motion or using motion information derived from signals other than the physiological signal to be measured
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7425 Displaying combinations of multiple images regardless of image source, e.g. displaying a reference anatomical image with a live image geometric transforms for image registration G06T3/14; enhancement using image fusion G06T5/50; algorithms for registration of images G06T7/30

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring the tidal volume of an individual to diagnose a condition is disclosed. The system includes an electrically-conductive, elastomeric band; and a microprocessor having memory. The microprocessor is in electrical communication with said band and has functionality to monitor the respiratory activity of the individual during a period of time, collect raw data from 30 times to 34 times per second, average the data over 9-34 readings, blur from 0.3 seconds to 1.0 seconds of said averaged data to filter out artifacts; determine the beginning of a breath and the end of a breath based on said blurred data; and record an adverse event if a pre-determined period of time has elapsed without a new breath commencing.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring the tidal volume of an individual to diagnose a condition comprising:

providing an electrically-conductive, elastomeric band in communication with a microprocessor having memory;

monitoring the respiratory activity of the individual during a period of time by causing said microprocessor to collect raw data from 30 times to 34 times per second;

averaging said data over 9-34 readings by said microprocessor;

blurring the last 0.3 to 1.0 seconds of said averaged data to filter out artifacts;

determining the beginning of a breath and the end of a breath based on said blurred data; and

recording an adverse event if a pre-determined period of time has elapsed without a new breath commencing.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said electrically-conductive, elastomeric band comprises knitted, silver-coated nylon yarn.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein an optimum resistance of said band is linearly variable over a three to fifty percent stretch.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said microprocessor averages said data over 24 readings.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising blurring the last 0.72 second of averaged data to filter out artifacts.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said artifact includes bodily movement and heartbeat noise.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein recording said adverse event comprises recording an apnea event, a hypopnea event or Cheyne Stokes syndrome.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

monitoring whether one second has elapsed from the commencement of exhalation but before inhalation commences; and

if so, recording forced evacuation volume.

9. A system for monitoring the tidal volume of an individual to diagnose a condition comprising:

an electrically-conductive, elastomeric band; and

a microprocessor having memory, said microprocessor in communication with said band and having functionality to monitor the respiratory activity of the individual during a period of time, collect raw data from 30 times to 34 times per second, average said data over 9-34 readings, blur from 0.3 seconds to 1.0 seconds of said averaged data to filter out artifacts;

determine the beginning of a breath and the end of a breath based on said blurred data; and

record an adverse event if a pre-determined period of time has elapsed without a new breath commencing.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said electrically-conductive, elastomeric band comprises knitted silver coated nylon yarn.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein an optimum resistance of said band is linearly variable over a three to fifty percent stretch.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein said microprocessor is configured to average said data over 24 readings.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein said microprocessor is configured to blur the last 0.72 second of averaged data to filter out artifacts.

14. The system of claim 9 wherein said artifact includes bodily movement and heartbeat noise.

15. The system of claim 9 wherein said adverse event comprises an apnea event, a hypopnea event or Cheyne Stokes syndrome.