U.S. patent application number 09/819867 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-03 for metabolic fitness training apparatus.
Invention is credited to Montagnino, James.
Application Number | 20020143267 09/819867 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25229287 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020143267 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Montagnino, James |
October 3, 2002 |
METABOLIC FITNESS TRAINING APPARATUS
Abstract
A metabolic fitness training apparatus is provided which
measures the concentration of acetone in a trainer's breath while
exercising. The metabolic fitness training apparatus include a
housing, an acetone sensitive sensor, an optical detection circuit,
and a mouthpiece attached to the housing. The sensor contains
reagents such as salicylaldehyde or derivatives thereof which react
with acetone to change the optical transparency of the sensor. The
optical detection circuit may include a LED and a photodetector or
a photometric instrument to measure the change in optical
transparency of the sensor, and convert that change to acetone
concentration. There may also be a display for viewing the acetone
concentration.
Inventors: |
Montagnino, James; (St
Charles, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jonathan S. Caplan, Esq.
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
919 Third Avenue
New York
NY
10022
US
|
Family ID: |
25229287 |
Appl. No.: |
09/819867 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/532 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/083 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/532 |
International
Class: |
A61B 005/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A metabolic fitness training apparatus for measuring acetone
concentration in a breath comprising: a housing; an acetone
sensitive sensor, said sensor located within said housing; an
optical detection circuit, said circuit being capable of detecting
a change in optical transparency of said sensor, converting said
change in optical transparency to acetone concentration, and
indicating when said acetone concentration has approximately
reached or exceeded an acetone concentration level at a maximum fat
bum rate; and a mouthpiece attached to said housing.
2. The metabolic fitness training apparatus of claim 1, wherein
said sensor further comprises salicylaldehyde or derivatives
thereof.
3. The metabolic fitness training apparatus of claim 2, wherein
said sensor further comprises cyclodextrin.
4. The metabolic fitness training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
optical detection circuit comprises a LED and a photodetector, and
wherein said sensor is positioned in between the LED and the
photodetector.
5. The metabolic fitness training apparatus of claim 1, comprising
a belt clip.
6. The metabolic fitness training apparatus of claim 1, comprising
an LCD display.
7. A metabolic fitness training apparatus for measuring acetone
concentration in a breath comprising: a headset; a boom attached to
the headset; an acetone sensitive sensor attached to said boom; an
optical detection circuit, said circuit being capable of detecting
a change in optical transparency of said sensor, converting said
change in optical transparency to acetone concentration, and
indicating when said acetone concentration has approximately
reached or exceeded an acetone concentration level at a maximum fat
burn rate; and a housing, said housing being capable of
communicating with said boom.
8. The metabolic fitness training apparatus of claim 7, wherein
said sensor further comprises salicylaldehyde or derivatives
thereof.
9. The metabolic fitness training apparatus of claim 8, wherein
said sensor further comprises cyclodextrin.
10. The metabolic fitness training apparatus of claim 7, wherein
the optical detection circuit comprises a photometric
instrument.
11. The metabolic fitness training apparatus of claim 7, comprising
a belt clip.
12. The metabolic fitness training apparatus of claim 7, comprising
a LCD display.
13. The metabolic fitness training apparatus of claim 7, comprising
an LED indicator.
14. The metabolic fitness training apparatus of claim 7, comprising
a speaker.
15. A metabolic fitness training apparatus for measuring acetone
concentration in a breath comprising: an acetone sensitive sensor,
said sensor comprising reagents which react with acetone to change
the optical transparency of said sensor; a photometric instrument
for detecting a change in optical transparency of said sensor; a
circuit for converting said change in optical transparency of said
sensor to an acetone concentration; and a display for viewing the
acetone concentration and for indicating when the acetone
concentration has approximately reached or exceeded an acetone
concentration level at a maximum fat burn rate.
16. The metabolic fitness training apparatus of claim 15, wherein
said sensor further comprises salicylaldehyde or derivatives
thereof.
17. The metabolic fitness training apparatus of claim 15, wherein
said sensor further comprise cyclodextrin.
18. The method of monitoring metabolic rate during exercise
comprising the steps of: reacting an acetone sensitive reagent on a
sensor with acetone present in a breath; detecting a change in
optical transparency of the sensor; converting said change in
optical transparency to an acetone concentration; displaying said
acetone concentration; and indicating when said acetone
concentration has approximately reached or exceeded an acetone
concentration level at a maximum fat burn rate.
19. The method of monitoring metabolic rate during exercise of
claim 19, comprising the step of reacting salicylaldehyde or
derivatives thereof on a sensor with acetone present in a breath.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a metabolic fitness training
apparatus. Namely, the present invention provides an apparatus for
monitoring a person's metabolic rate during exercise.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0002] Physical training fitness devices are useful because they
assist a person in determining how hard his or her body is working
and whether or not he/she wants to exercise harder. These physical
training fitness devices measure certain body conditions, such as
temperature, heart rate, rate of perspiration, calories burned,
breathing rate, weight loss, etc. to help guide one in modifying
his or her training efforts.
[0003] Currently, a number of physical training fitness methods or
devices exist to monitor one's health such as urine monitoring of
glucose and ketones, or self-blood glucose monitor (SBGM). These
type of devices are impractical for use during exercise.
[0004] In addition to being unpleasant, urine monitoring is
somewhat inaccurate since substances measured in the urine must
first be filtered by the kidney and pass through the bladder prior
to being available for analysis.
[0005] Furthermore, SBGM requires the exerciser to make a fingertip
prick with a lancet to produce a drop of capillary blood, transfer
the blood to a reagent strip, precisely time the reaction of the
blood with the strip, and read the result using either a visual
color chart or a reflectance meter. Each of these steps has the
ability to introduce error into the measurement.
[0006] Physical training fitness devices which can be used during
exercise offer a number of advantages over those that cannot be
used during exercise by allowing one to adjust in real time his or
her training efforts while exercising. The most commonly used type
of physical training fitness devices for personal use include those
which measure heart rates. In particular, these heart rate
measuring devices comprise a sensor which a person can attach to
oneself to measure his/her heart rate during exercise. Since there
is a beneficial heart rate range to train in, the exerciser can
adjust the strength, duration, etc. of his/her training to get the
heart rate into that optimum range while exercising.
[0007] However, these heart rate measuring physical training
devices do not necessarily offer the best safeguard against
overexertion. For example, in order for the body to fuel its
efforts during exercise, it must metabolize fat (or sugar if
available) to convert them into calories for energy. As the body
exerts itself harder, it metabolizes more fat by increasing its
metabolic rate. However, there is a maximum rate at which fat can
be metabolized ("maximum fat burn rate"). This maximum fat burn
rate will be exceeded if a body over-exerts itself during exercise.
To fulfill its need for more energy when over-exerting itself, the
body increases its metabolic rate in excess of the maximum fat burn
rate such that the body will begin to undesirably metabolize muscle
tissue. Current physical training devices such as a heart rate
device would not be able to detect when the maximum fat burn rate
has been exceeded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides a metabolic fitness training
apparatus for measuring acetone concentration in a body's exhaling
breath as an indicator of the body's metabolic rate.
[0009] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
metabolic fitness training apparatus comprises a housing, an
acetone sensitive sensor, an optical detection circuit, and a
mouthpiece attached to the housing. The sensor contains reagents
such as salicylaldehyde or derivatives thereof which react with
acetone to change the optical transparency of the sensor. The
optical detection circuit may include a LED and a photodetector or
a photometric instrument to measure the change in optical
transparency of the sensor, and correlate that change to acetone
concentration. There may also be a display to view the acetone
concentration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0010] FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of a metabolic fitness
training apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2. is an alternative embodiment of a metabolic fitness
training apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a base catalyzed condensation of acetone
by two molecules of salicyaldehyde.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a graphical illustration of cyclodextrin on a
transparent metal oxide containing a derivative of
salicyladehyde.
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates condensation reactions by salicylaldehyde
and vanillin with acetone to generate a colored bischalcone
product.
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates the treatment of 3,4
dihydroxybenzaldehyde with phenylalkyltosylate and base to form an
ether linkage.
[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates the treatment of
3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde with phenoxyalkyhalide and base to form
an ether linkage.
[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates the treatment of precursor alcohols of
phenylalkyltosylate with tosylchloride to yield tosylates.
[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates the treatment of precursor phenols of
phenoxyalkylhalide with base and an excess dihalide to form
monohalide.
[0019] FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary
embodiment of a LED/photodetector in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] In the following description, various aspects of the present
invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific
configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a
thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will
also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present
invention may be practiced without the specific details.
Furthermore, well known features may be omitted or simplified in
order not to obscure the present invention.
[0021] Unlike urine monitoring or SBGM, the present invention
assists one in determining whether to exert more or less effort
during exercise by monitoring his or her metabolic rate, which is
an important physical fitness indicator not measured by a heart
rate physical fitness training device. For purposes of this
application, any person who is exercising will be referred to as
the "exerciser".
[0022] To better assess one's metabolic rate during exercise, the
present invention measures the level of acetone present in one's
breath during exercise. Acetone appears in the breath as a result
of the metabolic breakdown ("catabolism") of acetoacetate in the
body. Acetoacetate is a chemical substance which is found in fat
and muscle tissue. As the metabolic rate of fat increases due to
exercise, the catabolism of acetoacetate in fat increases, leading
to an increase in the concentration of acetone in one's breath.
Because the concentration of acetoacetate in muscle tissue is much
higher than in fat, the catabolism of acetoacetate in muscle tissue
(which occurs after the maximum fat burn rate is exceeded due to
physical overexertion) leads to an even more dramatic increase of
acetone concentration in one's breath. Thus, to prevent injury
caused by metabolizing muscle tissue during exercise due to
overexertion, the present invention measures and displays the level
of acetone in one's breath during exercise so that the trainer can
decide in real time to increase or scale back his or her training
efforts.
[0023] In an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an apparatus of
the present invention includes a sensor 23, mouthpiece 24, housing
25, and an optical detection circuit 34 (FIG. 10). The optical
detection circuit may include a LED 33 and a photodetector 32 or
any equivalent photometric instrument for measuring light (FIG.
10). A display 26 may also be present on the housing 25. There is
also an optional belt clip 27 attached to the exterior of the
housing 25 so that the trainer can conveniently clip the apparatus
to his/her waist when exercising and then remove the apparatus to
measure his/her breath acetone level at will. The housing 25 may
also include a switch 28 and calibration buttons 29.
[0024] In an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, the
apparatus of the present invention includes a sensor 23 attached to
a boom 30 of a headset 31. The headset 31 would be worn so that the
sensor 23 is positioned at the mouth (not shown) level of the
trainer in order to detect breath acetone levels. The boom 30 is
further coupled to a housing 25 which may be worn on the trainer's
waist or wrist, or attached to a wall.
[0025] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
method for measuring breath acetone levels is based on detecting
the reaction rate between breath acetone and acetone sensitive
materials on sensor 23. The housing 25 contains the optical
detection circuit 34 (shown in FIG. 10) which detects the shift in
optical transparency of sensor 23 after its exposure to breath
acetone.
[0026] In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
reaction on sensor 23 involves the base-catalyzed condensation of
acetone by two molecules of salicylaldehyde as shown in FIG. 3. The
active sensor material is a complex consisting of organic and
inorganic compounds which responds to the presence of acetone by
changing its color saturation (i.e., from yellow to red). The rate
of change in intensity is monitored using an LED 33 and photodiode
circuit 34 as shown in FIG. 10. The rate of change in reagent color
is related to the concentration of both acetone and of
salicylaldehyde or its derivatives.
[0027] The reaction of acetone vapor at levels as low as 0.2 ppm
has been described in publications such as Feigl, et al., "Spot
Tests in Organic Analysis", 455, Elsevier Scientific, New York
(1966) in a reaction involving the condensation of salicylaldehyde
catalyzed by a base such as NaOH, as shown in FIG. 3. The detection
of the reaction of acetone with aldehydes to form a condensed
product may be enhanced by modification of the aldehyde to form a
monomolecular array.
[0028] Various derivatives of salicylaldehyde can be isolated and
stabilized for use with the sensor 23. For example, as shown in
FIG. 4, a molecular encapsulant such as cyclodextrin (CD) is formed
on the surface of a porous transparent metal oxide of sensor 23,
allowing the reagent to be readily encapsulated.
[0029] The formation of a host-guest complex with a host such as
cyclodextrin (CD) and a salicylaldehyde derivative or similar
derivatives, can be made selective for reaction with acetone. In
addition, the host provides stability from ultra-violet exposure
and oxidation while reducing volatilization loss. The reactions
entailed in producing a stable selective acetone sensor are
discussed in detail below.
[0030] Both salicylaldehyde 1 and vanillin 2 undergo selective
condensation reactions with acetone to generate a colored
bischalcone product 3, 4 as illustrated in FIG. 5. Vanillin 2
offers a great potential for reagent development through
modification of the R group in position 3; this route begins with
3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde 5. The compound 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde
provides an alternative parent framework from which derivatives can
develop; alkylation of 6 occurs at the para hydroxy group and
retains the ortho-hydroxybenzaldehyde arrangement found in 1.
[0031] Anchoring the reagent to the CD-modified surface is of
primary import yet at the same time reagent mobility is
necessitated by the stoichiometry of the reaction. To better anchor
the reagent to the CD, a series of phenylalkyl 7-12 and
phenoxyalkyl 13-18, derivatives of 5 and 6 as shown in FIGS. 6 and
7 may be prepared. The additional phenyl group provides a site for
anchoring the reagent, the alkyl chain offers mobility of the
reactive head group, and the head group ensures the selectivity
toward acetone.
[0032] Detailed studies on the binding of aromatic units to various
CD's have shown that the more hydrophobic the group the better the
binding (17, 18, 19 of FIG. 7). Head groups resembling 1 or 2 of
FIG. 5 are relatively hydrophilic compared to simple alkyl
aromatics. Molecules such as 7-18 of FIGS. 6 and 7 will therefore
bind with the simple aromatic in the CD and leave the head group
free to react.
[0033] Treating derivative 5 with a phenylalkyltosylate 19, 20
(FIG. 6) or phenoxyalkylhalide 21, 22 (FIG. 7) and base forms an
ether linkage at either position 3 or 4. Both isomers form in the
general reaction, but chromatographic separation of the two
products yields pure isomers. Similar conditions with 6 alkylates
to form a selective product, thus alleviating the need for
chromatographic separation (FIGS. 6 and 7). The notation N: a-d
=1-4 in FIG. 8 signifies that four different compounds, identical
except for the number of CH.sub.2 groups in the tail, will be
produced.
[0034] The reactions 19, 20 of FIG. 8 can be prepared in one step
starting from commercially available compounds. The precursor
alcohols of 19 and 20 are treated with tosylchloride overnight (or
for several hours) to yield the tosylates essentially
quantitatively (FIG. 8). The precursor phenols of 21 and 22 are
treated with base and an excess of the dihalide of choice 23 to
form the monohalide in high yield (FIG. 9).
[0035] All of these reactions are synthetic procedures. From these
few reactions, there is the potential for a high degree of
variability. The value of n can be varied to effect the particular
configuration that optimizes the reaction of the salicylaldehyde
derivative with acetone, thereby allowing the desired biosensor
properties to be tailored as necessary.
[0036] Low cost and reliable solid state optical sources and
detectors are available for the visible through near IR band
(500-1100 nm). Specific chromophoric products of the reaction of
salicylaldehyde derivatives with acetone shift the peak absorbance
wavelength of the sensor into this spectral region. By Beer's law,
the optical absorbance (A) of the chromophore is proportional to
its concentration, whose rate of change in turn is proportional to
the concentration of acetone and salicylaldehyde derivatives.
Therefore, dA/dt=K.sub.f[salicylaldehyde derivatives] [acetone] Eq.
1
[0037] with rate constant K.sub.f.
[0038] The plot of absorbance vs. time in the early stages of the
acetone-sensor reaction should be linear, with slope proportional
to [acetone], or
[0039] A=K[salicylaldehyde derivatives] [acetone], Eq. 2
[0040] where K is a proportionality constant.
[0041] The substrate for the active organic and inorganic compounds
involved in the acetone optical darkening mechanism must meet a
number of experimental and physical criteria. Its most important
physical properties are expected to be pore size, total surface
area, physical strength, optical uniformity, and chemical stability
in a basic (pH>7) environment. Preferred materials are porous
glass manufactured by means of extrusion, heat treatments, and
subsequent acid leach and a sol-gel alumina.
[0042] The loss of cell sensitivity (i.e., optical absorbance
change vs. acetone exposure) may be correlated with the mass loss
of sensing materials, indicating that the key mechanism is the loss
of volatiles such as water and salicylaldehyde molecules. Thus,
proper amounts of molecular encapsulant materials (such as
cyclodextrins) may be added to the formulation to enhance moisture
and salicylaldehyde retention without degrading the desired
response. Cyclodextrins can be attached to the substrate surface
through supramolecular forces, and the salicylaldehyde derivative
encapsulated as depicted in FIG. 4. The modified sensor disks are
expected to be capable of withstanding thermal stressing at
60.degree. C. for more than 60 days, suggesting that a shelf life
for the sensor 23 of over five years under normal storage
conditions.
[0043] As shown in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
at FIG. 10, to measure the concentration of breath acetone, the
sensor 23 is placed in the optical path of an LED/photodetector
circuit 34. As acetone reacts with the reagents on the sensor 23,
the optical transparency of the sensor 23 is decreased and thus, so
is the output of the photodetector 32. The rate of change in cell
absorbance (A) is then calculated substantially in accordance with
Equation 1 and converted to acetone concentration. Thus, the
acetone sensitive sensor 23 acts as a dynamic optical filter of the
LED output, exhibiting a defined linear relationship between the
rate of change in absorbance and its acetone exposure.
[0044] Thus, to use an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention as illustrated in FIG. 1, the trainer may first turn the
switch 28 of the apparatus 35 on. To calibrate the apparatus 35,
the trainer may then blow into the mouthpiece 24 of the apparatus
35 while pressing the calibration button 29. The acetone in the
breath then reacts with the reagents of sensor 23 to affect the
optical transparency of sensor 23. The change in optical
transparency is sensed by the photodetector 32 (FIG. 10) and the
concentration of acetone is calculated substantially in accordance
with Equation 1 as the base acetone concentration.
[0045] To measure the breath acetone level during exercise, the
trainer would once again blow into the mouthpiece 24 of the
apparatus 35. The acetone in the breath then reacts with the
reagents of sensor 23 to affect the optical transparency of sensor
23. The change in optical transparency is sensed by the
photodetector 32 (FIG. 10) and the concentration of acetone is
calculated substantially in accordance with Equation 1.
[0046] The acetone concentration can then be displayed on the LCD
display 26 as shown in FIG. 1 for the trainer to read. The LCD
display 26 may indicate (i.e., by flashing) when the acetone
concentration is close to, has reached, or exceeded the acetone
concentration level at the maximum fat burn rate. Other methods of
indicating when the acetone concentration is high may be used such
as a blinking dot on the LCD display, flashing light, sounding a
tune, etc.
[0047] To alleviate the slight inconvenience of having to remove
the apparatus 35 from the waist each time the trainer wants to
measure the acetone level, a trainer could instead use the
alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 2. Here, while the
apparatus 35 may still be clipped to the waist or attached to the
wrist, the sensor 23 is attached to a boom 30 which is part of a
headset 31. The boom 30 would be equipped with a miniature light
source and/or photodetector or photometric instrument to measure
the change in optical transparency of the sensor 23. The boom 30
would then relay that information by wire 38 to apparatus 35 to
determine the acetone concentration. Alternatively, the boom 30 can
also relay the information via wireless communication to apparatus
35.
[0048] As with FIG. 1, the acetone concentration can then be
displayed on the LCD display 26 of FIG. 2 for the trainer to read.
Alternatively, apparatus 35 may come equipped with an LED light 36
which will blink or a speaker 37 which will sound an alarm if the
acetone level is too high.
[0049] One skilled in the art will realize that the method and
system of the present invention may be modified as necessary to
accommodate anything the operator of the present invention desires,
and it is intended to claim all of them as being within the spirit
of the present invention.
* * * * *