Patent Grant
11617920
This application is the U.S. national stage of PCT/EP2017/067735 filed Jul. 13, 2017, which claims priority of Application No. DK PA201770139 filed Feb. 24, 2017 and Application No. DK PA201600421, filed Jul. 13, 2016; each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a respiratory device and a respiratory system for analyzing and improving the physical abilities of and through the respiratory system.
Respiratory exercisers typically comprise a mouthpiece with adjustable air resistance to inhalation and exhalation.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,381 the adjustment structure is regulating the size of at least one of the openings therein to control the size of the access opening to atmosphere. The air resistance is the same for both inhalation and exhalation.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,987 two openings regulate the inhalation and exhalation resistance by the use of an aperture in each of two partitions which cover the openings to be brought into and out of alignment.
In U.S. Pat. No. 8,590,533 multiple air inlet inserts are provided for interchangeable use in the air inlet, allowing different rates and resistance to air flow.
In WO 2015/120435 a porous or non-porous material is making the air way resistance on both inhalation and exhalation.
In WO 2015/171097 adjustable throttles are used for making the air way resistance.
Respiratory analyzers typically comprise measurement and computation modules for analyzing the respiratory data.
In U.S. Pat. No. 7,108,659 air way resistances are by fixed apertures. The device comprises a flow rate meter and a computation module. Analyzed results include respiratory frequency and exercise duration.
These prior art devices and systems are associated with a number of inconveniences and problems which may be overcome by the presently disclosed respiratory system.
In particular the known devices are limited in relation to the feedback that is given to the user, in relation to the control of the resistance, in relation to the mechanical implementation of the device and in relation to measurements.
The present disclosure relates, in a first aspect, to a respiratory device and system for exercising and analysing respiration of a subject. A first embodiment of the presently disclosed respiratory system for exercising and analysing respiration of a subject comprises:
In the preferred embodiment the adjustable inhalation air flow resistance and the adjustable exhalation air flow resistance are separate and configured to operate independently of each other, such that inhalation air flow resistance can be controlled independently—and can be different—from the exhalation air flow resistance. The electronic sensor unit may further comprise a wireless transmitter for continuously transmitting air pressure data in real-time.
The respiratory system may further comprise a software application executable on a remote device and configured for executing the steps of:
One aspect of the respiratory device and system relates to an adjustable resistance for inhalation and exhalation, and in particular that the least one inhalation air way has an adjustable inhalation air flow resistance, and the at least one exhalation air way has an adjustable exhalation air flow resistance. Respiratory training has a better effect when inhalation and exhalation exercise parameters can be individually adjusted and combined with real time monitoring and guidance on respiratory training exercise. Therefore the presently disclosed system has in a first embodiment been developed to comprise a breathing device with individually adjustable air flow resistances on inhaled and exhaled air.
It is a further advantage if individually adjustable air flow resistances on inhaled and exhaled air can be monitored by the system. Therefore, the breathing unit may further comprise sensors for separately reading the positions of the adjustable inhalation air flow resistance and adjustable exhalation air flow resistance. In one embodiment the sensors are magnetic sensors and the adjustable inhalation air flow resistance and adjustable exhalation air flow resistance are provided with magnets. The magnetic sensors may be provided outside a circular circumference of the flow resistance setting turn buttons, thereby indicating a position of a magnet on the turn button. The position of the turn buttons can thereby be indicated to the system.
A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to the electronic sensor unit being detachable from the breathing unit. A problem with the known devices is that they cannot be efficiently cleaned in for example a water bath since the device comprises electronics. By designing the device such that the electronic components are arranged in a detachable electronic sensor unit, the breathing unit can be removed and the rest of the breathing unit, i.e. the housing, mouthpiece, airways etc., can be cleaned separately without risk of damaging electronic components. The electronic sensor unit may be a cassette accommodating all electronic parts of the breathing unit.
These and other aspects of the invention are set forth in the following detailed description if the invention.
The drawings are exemplary and are intended to illustrate some of the features of the presently disclosed respiratory device and system for exercising and analysing respiration of a subject, and are not to be construed as limiting to the presently disclosed invention.
The present disclosure relates to a respiratory device and a system for exercising and analysing respiration of a subject. The respiratory device comprises a breathing unit. The technical details of the breathing may refer to the breathing unit for itself or as a part in the respiratory system.
A first embodiment of the presently disclosed respiratory system for exercising and analysing respiration of a subject comprises a breathing unit comprising:
The system also comprises a wireless transmitter for continuously transmitting air pressure data in real-time. Such a wireless transmitter is preferably mounted in a detachable electronic sensor unit.
The system may further comprise a software application executable on a remote device and configured for executing the steps of: receiving said air pressure data via a receiver on the remote device, processing the air pressure data, displaying at least a part of the real-time breathing data on a screen of the remote device, and optionally comparing real-time breathing data to stored breathing data of a predefined personal breathing routine.
It is an objective of the invention to provide an incentive to the user to improve his or her ventilation. An electronic module may be comprised in the device to determine respiratory data of the subject. The electronic module can determine exercise parameters such as exercise duration, and data may be stored in a memory for future access and/or data can be transmitted to the software application and stored and/or processed on the remote device, or in the cloud. The electronic module can thus preferably communicate settings and data with software on for example a PC, tablet and smartphone, and/or a cloud based server. It is a further object to provide an electronic respiratory exerciser and analyzer that facilitates an improvement to both sport training exercises, sing training exercises, lung disease rehabilitation, etc.
An electronic sensor unit may be incorporated to measure exercise session data, such as air pressure, time, duration and air flow resistance settings. This enables the user to instantly optimize the exhalation and inhalation during the exercise session.
A software application executable on a remote device, or any calculation unit, may be used to calculate respiratory related data, such as flow rate, tract volume and respiratory muscle strength. The application may further analyze and return analysis of respiratory condition such as breathing patterns, max air pressure, and explosive force. This enables the user to correct the breathing pattern for the next exercise session. The application may also, based on the analysis, recommend exercise sessions for the improvement of the respiratory condition. The recommendation is provided to various exercise profiles. This enables the user to make long term improvements on the respiratory condition.
Breathing Unit
In one embodiment the breathing unit comprises a housing where the resistance units are located opposite each other, i.e. at opposite ends of the housing. The mouthpiece is attached to the housing between the resistance units and the electronic sensor unit is attached to the housing opposite the mouthpiece. When a user has the mouthpiece in the mouth and inhales, air is drawn through the inhalation air way where a one-way inhalation valve is configured to ensure that air can only be drawn in. When the user exhales air is blown through the exhalation air way where another one-way exhalation valve is configured to ensure that air can only be blown out. Hence, when the user inhales the exhalation one-way valve blocks the exhalation air way and when the user exhales the inhalation one-way valve blocks the inhalation air way. The separate resistance units provides for individually controllable inhalation and exhalation resistances, because in different training or treatment scenarios, it is important to be able to optimize either the inhalation resistance or the exhalation resistance.
A narrow air-way pressure channel may advantageously be provided in the device housing between the two resistance units. The longitudinal extension of the air-way pressure channel is preferably in substantially the same direction as the breathing of the user, i.e. in extension of the mouthpiece as also exemplified in
The two one-way valves located in the breathing unit to ensure inhalation and exhalation through the two different resistance units may be identical. With the appropriate arrangement in the breathing unit it can be ensured that one of the one-way valves open during inhalation and close during exhalation, whereas the other one-way valve close during inhalation but open during exhalation, as also exemplified in
As also exemplified in
The housing is preferably sealed such that no air escapes from the housing during inhalation and exhalation of the user except through the dedicated air-way passages.
In the embodiment of
Another embodiment of the breathing device with two individually controllable resistance units is shown in
The embodiments of
In one embodiment of the breathing unit the least one inhalation air way has an adjustable inhalation air flow resistance, and the at least one exhalation air way has an adjustable exhalation air flow resistance. The adjustable inhalation air flow resistance and the adjustable exhalation air flow resistance may therefore be individual. The individually controlled resistances can be used for performing the following steps:
The adjustable resistances may be for example adjustable air flow resistance setting turn buttons (8) which make it possible to adjust of the air flow resistance for the inhaled and the exhaled air. The resistance setting turn buttons may have additional settings that each corresponds to a given airway passage geometry with a known air flow resistance. The turn buttons may have a number of position stops that fix the turn button in the set position. Position of the turn button may be marked visually on the outside of the device (33).
Airway Geometry
Adjustable Cone
In one embodiment, the resistance turn buttons are mounted onto the device housing by a thread. The turn buttons may be provided with a conical form along the rotational axis that fit into matching conical openings in the housing. The conical opening has a hole in the center of the conical opening and the corresponding turn button has a number of holes that are placed around the base of the conical form. As the turn button is dialed the cone will move in and out of the conical opening allowing air to pass through the holes and through the clearance between the conical form and the conical opening hereby regulating the resistance of the air flow.
In the center of the cone form on the turn button is a hole with a predefined diameter. When the turn button is in the closed position where the two conical forms touch, the air can only pass through that hole. This may for example be used for exact measurements of the user's max inhalation and exhalation capability.
Throttle Valve
In another embodiment, the resistance turn buttons are mounted onto the device housing by a thread. The turn button has a cylindrical form matching the corresponding cylindrical hole in the device housing. The inner wall of the housing cylinder has a number of bypass-grooves extending different distances into the housing. As the button is turned the cylinder moves in or out of the housing and the bypass-grooves are either covered or exposed hereby adjusting the air flow resistance.
Disc Shaped Aperture
In yet another embodiment, the resistance turn buttons rotate on the side of the device housing. A number of apertures in the housing is placed offset from the buttons turn axis and is covered by a wall in the turn buttons. Said wall has one or more holes that can be turned in or out of alignment with the housing aperture(s) hereby adjusting the air passage and flow resistance.
There a several adjustable geometry principles that can be applied:
In yet another embodiment, the resistance turn buttons have a cylindrical hollow shape that rotate inside of another cylindrical shape on the device housing. The cylindrical wall of the device housing has one or more apertures covered by the corresponding turn button cylinder. The turn button cylinder wall has one or more holes that can be turned in or out of alignment with the housing aperture hereby adjusting the air passage and flow resistance. The cylinder has an inside wall that can fit with a one way check valve.
Fixed
In yet another embodiment, a cap is placed on the inlet and outlet of the device. Each cap has a defined aperture that gives a defined air resistance.
Electronic Sensor Unit
The electronic sensor unit may comprise at least one pressure gauge for measuring air pressure in the mouthpiece. It may also comprise two separate pressure gauges for measuring air pressure in the at least one inhalation air way and the at least one exhalation air way. The electronic sensor unit may further comprise air resistance setting detectors and/or a time counter and/or a wireless transmitter for continuously transmitting air pressure data in real-time.
Detachable Sensor Measuring Unit
The electronic sensor unit may be detachable from the breathing unit. In one embodiment the at least one pressure gauge for measuring air pressure is incorporated in the detachable electronic sensor unit. The detachable electronic sensor unit may further comprise two air resistance setting detectors for determining positions of the adjustable inhalation air flow resistance and adjustable exhalation air flow resistance. In such a configuration, one resistance setting detector may be associated with the adjustable inhalation air flow resistance and the other resistance setting detector may be associated with the adjustable exhalation air flow resistance.
In one embodiment the electronic sensor unit is detachably mounted to a housing of the breathing unit. The electronic sensor unit may have its' own housing which can then be detachably connected to the housing of the breathing unit, preferably such that the sensors are directly operative upon insertion (attachment) of the electronic sensor unit to the breathing unit or the housing of the breathing unit.
In one embodiment the breathing unit further comprises a pressure airway, wherein the pressure airway is configured to connect an inner volume of the breathing unit with the at least one pressure gauge. This is exemplified in
In one embodiment the electronic sensor unit is in the form of a cassette which accommodates all electronic parts of the breathing unit. The cassette may be attached from the top side of the breathing device, i.e. opposite to the mouthpiece, as exemplified in
A detachable sensor measuring unit is also an advantage in relation to cleaning of the device. When the electronic sensor unit is detached from the rest of the breathing unit, the rest of the breathing unit may be washed in water since the electronic sensor unit may be designed to accommodate all electronic parts of the device. The solution thereby provides a device that can be more efficiently cleaned.
Different means for attaching and detaching the electronic sensor unit to/from the breathing unit are possible. In one embodiment the detachable electronic sensor unit comprises means for snap-fitting to the breathing unit. The detachable electronic sensor unit may thereby comprise one part of a snap connection, such as a male part, and the main unit comprises another part of the snap connection, such as a female part. Alternatively, or in combination, the detachable electronic sensor unit may comprise a mounting clip for mounting the electronic unit to the breathing unit.
Electronic Reading of Air Flow Resistance Position
A further aspect of the presently disclosed respiratory device and system for exercising and analysing respiration of a subject relates to the possibility to read the air flow resistances, in particular to read it electronically from the electronic sensor unit. Therefore the positions of the air flow resistance settings may be monitored by the electronics resistances. The position detecting geometry may be constructed in various ways.
In one embodiment the breathing unit comprises sensors for reading the positions of the adjustable inhalation air flow resistance and adjustable exhalation air flow resistance. The sensors may be magnetic sensors wherein the adjustable inhalation air flow resistance and adjustable exhalation air flow resistance are provided with magnets. In one embodiment the magnetic sensors are provided outside a circular circumference of the flow resistance setting turn buttons, thereby indicating a position of a magnet on the turn button. The sensors may be arranged to determine the rotational position of the turn button(s).
The electronic reading of air flow resistance position may involve different elements and component for the realization of such functionality:
Magnetic Response
Magnetic Inductance
Light Reflection
Encoder
Electrical Capacity
In the respiratory air flow housing, an electronic air pressure module may be provided that is configured to measure pressure of both inspiratory air flow and expiratory air flow. The electronic air pressure module may be part of the electronic unit that may be detachable from the breathing as described above. The air pressure measurement may be constructed in a number of different ways. In the following a number of examples are described in more detail.
Absolute Pressure Measurement
Relative Pressure Measurement
Sealed Enclosure
Separated Enclosure
The breathing unit may comprise a communication unit comprising a transmitter, preferably a wireless transmitter, such as a Bluetooth or wifi or the like, for transmitting, preferably continuously transmitting, air pressure data in real-time or substantially real-time. The communication unit/transmitter may be located in the electronic sensor unit. Such a communication unit can communicate settings data, measured data and calculated data with common device platforms through commonly known communication protocols. Settings data can then be returned to the device. Settings data may comprise device ID and air flow resistance settings. Measured data may comprise data of exercise session air pressures and duration. Calculated data may comprise data of air flow rate, respiratory tract volume, respiratory muscle strength and respiratory muscle explosive strength.
Software Application
The presently disclosed respiratory system may comprise a software application executable on a remote device and configured for executing the steps of:
The computer software may be arranged to, when executed, provide functionality corresponding to a calculation unit, an analyzing unit and/or a recommendation unit and/or provider of a user profile and/or provider of historical data. The following section describes possible functioning of the calculation unit, the analysing unit and the recommendation unit.
Calculation Unit
The electronic unit may comprise an electronic calculation unit, e.g. a processing unit, configured for collecting input from the electronic sensor unit. Processing and/or collection of data from the electronic sensor unit may also be provided by means of an external/remote device, such as a smartphone or other similar device, receiving the transmitted data. E.g. by means of the software application as described above.
From the measurement of air flow resistance, respiratory air pressure and/or time, a number of respiratory related data can be derived as shown in
The respiratory air flow rate (I/sec) may be calculated from air flow resistance and air pressure, e.g. the system can be calibrated to measure and calculate the respiratory air flow rate for a given resistance and air pressure.
The respiratory tract volume (I) may be calculated from air flow resistance, air pressure and duration of respiration, for example as shown in
The inhaled and exhaled respiratory muscle strength (hPa) may be calculated from the minimum and maximum air pressure, respectively, as exemplified in
The respiratory explosive muscle strength (hPa/sec)—also known as Rate of force Development RFD—may be calculated from the change of inspiratory/expiratory air pressure in time, i.e. the slope of the curve, as exemplified in
Analysing Unit
The system may further comprise an electronic analyzing unit which collects input from the electronic sensor unit and from the electronic calculation unit. This analysis may also be provided by means of an external/remote device, such as a smartphone or other similar device, e.g. by means of the software application as described above.
The measured and derived respiratory data may be used to analyze the respiratory condition during and after the exercise session.
The breathing pattern may represent the inspiratory and expiratory air pressure as a function of time during exercise session. Results may be analyzed as average inspiratory air pressure, average expiratory air pressure, and breathing stability.
Maximum air pressures may be the minimum inspiratory and maximum expiratory air pressures as a function of the exercise session. Results may be compared to previous exercise sessions.
The respiratory tract volume pattern may be represented by the respiratory tract volume as a function of time during exercise session. Results may be compared to previous exercise sessions.
The respiratory muscle strength pattern may be the respiratory muscle strength as a function of time during exercise session. Results may be compared to previous exercise sessions.
The respiratory muscle explosive strength pattern may be the respiratory muscle explosive strength as a function of time during exercise session. Results may be compared to previous exercise sessions.
Recommendation Unit
The system may further comprise an electronic recommendation unit arranged to collect input from the electronic sensor unit, from the electronic calculation unit and from the electronic analyzing unit. This recommendation analysis may also be provided by means of an external/remote device, such as a smartphone or other similar device, e.g. by means of the software application as described above.
The analysis of respiratory data may be used to recommend exercise sessions for the improvement of the respiratory condition. The recommendation may be provided to various exercise profiles.
The exercise session parameters may be settings of inspiratory air resistance, expiratory air resistance, duration of inspiratory session, duration of expiratory session, and total session time. Recommendations of default parameters may be set according to the user profile.
The recommendation of exercise session parameters may be derived from historical measured, derived and analyzed respiratory data. Recommendations of parameters may be set according to the user profile.
The following section describes additional features and applications of the presently disclosed respiratory system. The functions are exemplary and intended to illustrate possible applications and are not to be construed as limiting to the presently disclosed invention:
The respiratory exerciser and analyzer recommend a set of dynamic training session parameters. The parameters include duration, training level, changes, and intensity. The system gives continuous feed-back of the user's performance in relation to the predefined parameters. The system dynamically changes the training system parameters during training according to the real-time performance. This can be for a single training session or for a sequence of training sessions.
The feed-back is presented to the user as a motivating virtual game. For instance an encouraging setup with gaining points or diplomas according to progress.
The training session is exemplified to the user as a simulated journey.
The training session is exemplified as real sport endurance, such as a swimming session, where you have limited access to breathing between strokes, or a bike route with dynamic intensity exemplified with up- and down hills.
The respiratory exerciser and analyzer gives the user the ability to compete and/or compare with other users in real-time or using historical training session data.
Each user acquires points according to performance of a specific training program and can compare to other users.
Each user acquires points according to performance of a specific training program and can compare to other users in a closed group. For example a sports club or other user groups virtual or physical.
The training session is exemplified as a possibility for the user to follow a favorite athlete in their specific or recommended training program.
Further Details of the Invention
The invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the following items:
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