Devices and methods for monitoring physiologic parameters
Inventors
Luxon, Evan S. • BURNETT, Daniel R. • Vergara, Alexander • Ziegler, Mark • VISWANATHAN, Nikhil • HEMATI, Michael
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11707227-B2
Publication Date
2023-07-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
Devices and methods for monitoring physiologic parameters are described where an airway device, in one embodiment, may comprise a mouthpiece section and an opening section defining one or more airway lumens therethrough with a first sensor in fluid communication with the one or more airway lumens and a second sensor positioned upon a hand-piece for contact against a portion of the user. The first sensor may be configured to detect an airway pressure when a user inhales or exhales through the one or more airway lumens, and the second sensor may be configured to detect a physiological signal from the user. Additionally, a controller may be in communication with the first and second sensors where the controller is programmed to correlate pressure oscillations in the airway pressure with heartbeats.
Core Innovation
The system provides a non-invasive airway device/controller for monitoring cardiac function by sensing cardiogenic oscillations as high-frequency pressure variations in the airway during breathing maneuvers, including breath holds and modified Valsalva. An airway device includes a mouthpiece section and an opening section defining one or more airway lumens, and a first sensor detects airway pressure when a user inhales or exhales through the airway lumens. The controller also uses physiological sensing from a second contact sensor positioned on a hand-piece against the user to detect physiological signals including ECG or pulse oximetry/photoplethysmography and to detect heartbeats.
The controller synchronizes pressure oscillations in the airway pressure received from the first sensor with heartbeats received from the first sensor or the second sensor. The controller gates curves of the pressure oscillations to the timing of the heartbeats, generates an overlay of two or more individual gated curves, and calculates an average or median of the overlaid individual gated curves to allow analysis of the shape of the two or more gated curves. The resulting curve-shape analysis is used to obtain physiologic parameter information that correlates with cardiac and pulmonary conditions.
The system further guides the user through a predetermined breathing procedure with feedback for altering a breathing pattern until a breathing goal is achieved, and then prompts the user to cease altering the breathing pattern. The document describes that the controlled breathing maneuvers and the controller’s timing-based processing support usable signal quality for cardiac-function monitoring, and that the system can integrate with mobile devices, servers, and clinical workflows for remote or home monitoring and feedback.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims: one system claim and one method claim. Across these independent claims, the core coverage centers on an airway device with paired airway-pressure and hand-contact physiological sensing, heartbeat-synchronized gating and overlay of airway pressure oscillation curves with average/median curve-shape analysis, and controller-guided predetermined breathing with feedback until a breathing goal is achieved.
Airway device with pressure sensing and contact physiological sensing
An airway device with a mouthpiece section and an opening section defining one or more airway lumens, a first sensor configured to detect airway pressure when a user inhales or exhales through the airway lumens, and a second sensor positioned upon a hand-piece in contact with a portion of the user configured to detect a physiological signal, wherein the first sensor and/or second sensor are further configured to detect heartbeats.
Heartbeat-synchronized gating and curve overlay analysis
A controller programmed to synchronize pressure oscillations in the airway pressure received from the first sensor with heartbeats received from the first sensor or the second sensor, to gate curves of the pressure oscillations to the timing of the heartbeats, to generate an overlay of two or more individual gated curves of the pressure oscillations, and to calculate an average or median of the overlaid two or more individual gated curves in order to allow analysis of the shape of the two or more gated curves.
Predetermined breathing procedure with feedback until a breathing goal is achieved
A controller further programmed to guide the user through a predetermined breathing procedure with feedback for altering a breathing pattern by the user when detecting the physiological signal until a breathing goal is achieved, whereby the user is further prompted by the controller to cease altering the breathing pattern.
Correlating physiologic parameters using synchronized airway oscillations and gated curve analysis
A method including detecting via a first sensor an airway pressure of a user while inhaling or exhaling through one or more airway lumens of a respiration device, detecting via a second sensor a physiological signal from the user in contact with the second sensor, detecting heartbeats via the first sensor or second sensor, synchronizing via a controller pressure oscillations in the airway pressure with the timing of heartbeats, gating curves of the pressure oscillations to the timing of heartbeats, generating an overlay of two or more individual gated curves, and calculating an average or median of the overlaid two or more individual gated curves in order to allow analysis of shape.
Guiding user through predetermined breathing procedure with feedback and stopping prompting
The method further including guiding the user through a predetermined breathing procedure with feedback for altering a breathing pattern until a breathing goal is achieved, and prompting the user by the controller to cease altering the breathing pattern.
Across the independent claims, the inventive aspects are centered on combining airway-pressure sensing with hand-contact physiological sensing that detects heartbeats, using a controller to synchronize and heartbeat-gate airway pressure oscillation curves, overlaying gated curves and computing an average or median to analyze curve shape, and guiding the user through a predetermined breathing procedure with feedback until a breathing goal is achieved before prompting the user to stop altering the breathing pattern.
Stated Advantages
Allows analysis of shape of two or more heartbeat-gated pressure oscillation curves.
Enables correlation of physiologic parameters by processing synchronized airway pressure oscillations with heartbeat timing.
Guides the user through a predetermined breathing procedure with feedback until a breathing goal is achieved.
Documented Applications
Monitoring cardiac function using cardiogenic oscillations sensed in the airway during breathing maneuvers, including breath holds and modified Valsalva.
Remote or home monitoring using integration with mobile devices, servers, and clinical workflows.
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