Method and device for determining threshold values for energy metabolism

• US 5,810,722 A
• Filed: 06/23/1997
• Issued: 09/22/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Original Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Inventors: Heikkila, Ilkka
• Primary Examiner(s): Lateef, Marvin M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANTIS MERCADER, ELENI M
• Application Number:
  US08/817,219
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/520, 600/509, 600/521
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/221 Ergometry, e.g. by using bicycle type apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/301 providing electrical separation, e.g. by using isolating transformers or optocouplers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/308 for electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for determining threshold values for a person'"'"'s energy metabolism. A testee is subjected to a gradually increasing stress in order to obtain the threshold values for his energy metabolism. The pulse rate of the testee is measured during the performance, the pulse shape of an ECG signal caused by the pulse is analyzed in order to determine the timing point of the ECG signal corresponding to each pulsation and in order to determine the intervals between the timing points of success of ECG signals. The respiratory frequency of the testee is calculated on the basis on the variations in the intervals between the timing points of the ECG signals. The respiratory frequency of the testee is calculated as a function of the pulse rate during the performance, where the respiratory volume is estimated on the basis of the degree of the variation in the timing points of the ECG signals, and ventilation is calculated as a function of the pulse rate on the basis of the respiratory frequency calculated during the performance and the estimated respiratory volume. At least one threshold value for the energy metabolism of the testee is determined on the basis of the respiratory frequency or the ventilation and the pulse rate.

Claims

1. A method for determining threshold values for a person'"'"'s energy metabolism, in which method a testee is subjected to a gradually increasing stress in order to obtain the threshold values for his energy metabolism, characterized by the method comprises the following steps of

a) measuring the pulse rate of the testee during the performance;

b) analysing the pulse shape of an ECG signal caused by the pulse in order to determine the timing point of the ECG signal corresponding to each pulsation, and determining the intervals between the timing points of successive ECG signals;

c) calculating the respiratory frequency of the testee on the basis of the variations in the intervals between the timing points of the ECG signals, and calculating the respiratory frequency of the testee as a function of the pulse rate during the performance;

d) determining at least one threshold value for the energy metabolism of the testee on the basis of the respiratory frequency and the pulse rate.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the timing point of the ECG signal of the testee'"'"'s pulse and the intervals between the timing points of successive ECG signals are determined on the basis of the R--R peak values of the ECG signals.

2. A method for determining threshold values for a person'"'"'s energy metabolism, in which method a testee is subjected to a gradually increasing stress in order to obtain the threshold values for his energy metabolism, characterized by the method comprises the following steps of

a) measuring the pulse rate of the testee during the performance;

b) analysing the pulse shape of an ECG signal caused by the pulse in order to determine the timing point of the ECG signal corresponding to each pulsation, and determining the intervals between the timing points of successive ECG signals;

c) calculating the respiratory frequency of the testee on the basis of the variations in the intervals between the timing points of the ECG signals;

d) estimating the respiratory volume of the testee on the basis of the degree of the variation in the timing points of the ECG signals;

e) calculating the ventilation of the testee as a function of the pulse rate on the basis of the respiratory frequency calculated during the performance and the estimated respiratory volume.

f) determining at least one threshold value for the energy metabolism of the testee on the basis of the calculated ventilation and the pulse rate.

4. A device for determining threshold values for a person'"'"'s energy metabolism, in which device a testee is subjected to a gradually increasing stress in order to obtain the threshold values for his energy metabolism, characterized by the device consists of a pulse rate measuring device which measures the pulse rate of the testee during the performance, and of an analyzer which is contained in the pulse rate measuring device, which analyses the pulse shape of the ECG signal caused by each pulsation in order to determine the timing point of the ECG signal and performs predetermined mathematical examinations to determine the intervals between the timing points of successive ECG signals, in order to calculate the respiratory frequency of the testee on the basis of the variations in the intervals between the timing points of the ECG signals as a function of the pulse rate during the performance, and which determines at least one threshold value for the energy metabolism of the testee on the basis of the respiratory frequency and the pulse rate.

6. A device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by the device is based on an accurate pulse rate measuring device, the discrimination ability of the device in the determination of the intervals between the timing points of successive ECG signals being at least around 1 ms.

7. A device according to claim 6, characterized by the pulse rate measuring device consists of a pulse transmitter to be attached to the chest of the testee and of a receiver wirelessly receiving pulse signals, the receiver comprising the functions of pulse rate measurement and analysis.

5. A device for determining threshold values for a person'"'"'s energy metabolism, in which device a testee is subjected to a gradually increasing stress in order to obtain the threshold values for his energy metabolism, characterized by the device consists of a pulse rate measuring device which measures the pulse rate of the testee during the performance, and of an analyzer which is contained in the pulse rate measuring device, which analyses the pulse shape of the ECG signal caused by each pulsation in order to detect the timing point of the ECG signal and performs predetermined mathematical examinations to determine the intervals between the timing points of successive ECG signals, in order to calculate the respiratory frequency of the testee on the basis of the variations in the intervals between the timing points of the ECG signals, which estimates the respiratory volume of the testee on the basis of the degree of the variations in the timing points of the ECG signals, which calculates the ventilation of the testee on the basis of the respiratory frequency and the respiratory volume as a function of the pulse rate during the performance, and which determines at least one threshold value for the energy metabolism of the testee on the basis of the calculated ventilation and the pulse rate.