U.S. patent application number 14/857241 was filed with the patent office on 2016-04-21 for means for rendering key respiratory measurements accessible to mobile digital devices.
The applicant listed for this patent is Krispin Johan LEYDON. Invention is credited to Krispin Johan LEYDON.
Application Number | 20160106375 14/857241 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54106885 |
Filed Date | 2016-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160106375 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEYDON; Krispin Johan |
April 21, 2016 |
Means for Rendering Key Respiratory Measurements Accessible to
Mobile Digital Devices
Abstract
An acoustic means for rendering key respiratory measurements
accessible to hand-held mobile digital devices with audio input
capabilities (such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants,
mobile gaming platforms, and tablets). One or more embodiments
comprise: a compact and portable whistle (101) that encodes a
user's expiratory airflow rate as audio frequency, and a software
process with local or remote access to mobile-device audio that
decodes said audio frequency to regain expiratory airflow rate and
derive key respiratory measurements, so that these measurements and
related information may conveniently be made available to the user
(100) and the user's health network of family members (103) and
physicians (104). Embodiments enable leveraging the ubiquity and
extensive capabilities of hand-held mobile digital devices, while
simultaneously simplifying requirements for a dedicated spirometry
device.
Inventors: |
LEYDON; Krispin Johan;
(Salida, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LEYDON; Krispin Johan |
Salida |
CO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54106885 |
Appl. No.: |
14/857241 |
Filed: |
September 17, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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|
12924245 |
Sep 22, 2010 |
9138167 |
|
|
14857241 |
|
|
|
|
61246058 |
Sep 25, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/538 ;
128/203.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/0015 20130101;
A61B 5/087 20130101; A61B 5/6898 20130101; A61B 5/7278 20130101;
A61M 15/0021 20140204; A61B 5/0871 20130101; A61B 5/097
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/00 20060101
A61B005/00; A61B 5/097 20060101 A61B005/097; A61M 15/00 20060101
A61M015/00; A61B 5/087 20060101 A61B005/087 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A portable whistle having a predetermined correlation between
through-flowing airflow per unit time and frequency of acoustic
emissions from the whistle, usable for sensing the rate of a user's
expiratory airflow as it passes through the whistle, and
transmitting the rate through electrically passive means, as said
frequency of acoustic emissions from the whistle to a physically
independent mobile digital device with audio input and software
processing capabilities, the whistle comprising: a) a mouthpiece at
a first end of an inlet conduit having a central axis, b) an outlet
conduit having a central axis, c) a central cavity, positioned
between the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit, and having a
central axis, and d) an airflow guide, positioned between the
mouthpiece and the central cavity, the airflow guide comprising one
or more smooth and continuous surfaces that guide said user's
expiratory airflow into a vortex within said central cavity to
produce an acoustic emission as said expiratory airflow exits said
outlet conduit, wherein the whistle has sufficiently low airflow
resistance to produce an acoustic emission detectable by said
mobile device that substantially corresponds to a peak expiratory
airflow rate of said user, and the acoustic emission correlated to
airflow rate is produced without using any moving parts, wherein
respiratory parameters determinable based on the frequency of said
whistle's acoustic emissions and said correlation may be determined
using said mobile device, and communicated by said mobile digital
device.
22. The whistle of claim 21, wherein at least one of the
respiratory parameters derived using said mobile device is based on
a measurement of the peak expiratory airflow rate of said user.
23. The whistle of claim 21, wherein said respiratory parameters
comprise at least one of PEFR and FEV.sub.1.
24. The whistle of claim 21, wherein the central axis of the inlet
conduit at the first end of the inlet conduit is substantially
parallel or substantially coaxial with the central axis of the
outlet conduit.
25. The whistle of claim 21, wherein a portion of the mouthpiece or
inlet conduit has a central axis that is substantially coplanar
with the central axis of the central cavity.
26. The whistle of claim 21, wherein the airflow guide comprises
one or more vanes that radiate outward from the central axis of the
central cavity.
27. The whistle of claim 21, wherein the mobile digital device is a
mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a tablet, or a mobile
gaming platform.
28. The whistle of claim 21, further comprising a housing that is
configured to contain a dispenser with medicine for inhaling.
29. The whistle of claim 28, further comprising a medicine delivery
channel that extends between the mouthpiece and the housing to
provide a fluid flow pathway for medicine traveling from the
dispenser contained in the housing through the mouthpiece and into
the respiratory system of a user.
30. The whistle of claim 21, wherein the acoustic emission that is
produced by the whistle is audible to humans.
31. The whistle of claim 21, wherein the whistle has an external
form that is shaped substantially like a musical instrument.
32. The whistle of claim 21, wherein the inlet conduit has a larger
internal cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of an
entrance to the outlet conduit from the central cavity.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent
application Ser. No. 61/246,058, filed 2009 Sep. 25 by the present
inventor.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
[0004] 1. Field
[0005] This application concerns human expiratory airflow
measurement and monitoring through the use of portable devices and
systems.
[0006] 2. Prior Art
[0007] Spirometers--devices that monitor respiration--are used in
range of clinical, domestic, and vocational situations. Spirometers
are used to diagnose and monitor common respiratory conditions such
as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), screen
for occupational health hazards such as silicosis and black lung
disease, and assist athletes and lung transplant recipients to
monitor lung performance.
[0008] There are two general categories of spirometers--diagnostic
spirometers and monitoring spirometers--each with its own set of
requirements. Diagnostic spirometers are used in clinical settings,
and must measure a number of respiratory parameters with high
accuracy and precision. Monitoring spirometers are more frequently
used in domestic and vocational settings; they must be
cost-effective for individual users, compact, convenient, robust,
low-maintenance, and designed for routine use.
[0009] Monitoring spirometers typically measure a person's peak
expiratory flow rate (PEF, or PEFR), defined as the maximum
volumetric airflow rate recorded during a voluntary forced
expiration of air from the lungs. In addition to PEFR, another
parameter measured by some monitoring spirometers is one-second
forced expiratory volume (FEV.sub.1): the volume of air a person
can forcibly exhale over the course of one second following a deep
inhalation. (The subscript in this abbreviation indicates the
duration of exhalation, in seconds.) Portable, compact monitoring
spirometers that enable a user to monitor peak expiratory flow rate
are commonly referred to as "peak flow monitors". Peak flow
monitors that facilitate measurement of peak expiratory flow are
commonly referred to as "peak flow meters".
[0010] Peak flow meters hold particular promise in the domain of
asthma management. Asthma's prevalence world-wide has increased by
approximately 50% per decade in recent history, and according to
the World Health Organization (WHO), the human and economic burden
associated with asthma surpasses that of AIDS and tuberculosis
combined (2006). Approximately 300 million people world-wide suffer
from asthma, and each year asthma results in over 200,000 deaths
(International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 2005).
In America alone, asthma affects 20 million people, and accounts
for $14 billion in health expenditures and lost productivity each
year. Asthma is the most common chronic illness among children
(National Institute of Health, 2006).
[0011] Asthma is a considerable problem, and peak flow meters play
a role in the asthma management strategies that physicians and
medical institutions recommend. According to the National Institute
of Health (NIH): "A peak flow meter can tell you when an episode is
coming--even before you feel the symptoms. Taking medicine before
you feel symptoms can stop the episode. People over the age of 4
with moderate or severe asthma should use a peak flow meter at
least daily" (NIH Publication No. 91-2664). The "Pocket Guide to
Asthma Management" (2004) published by the Global Initiative for
Asthma (GINA) recommends that patients monitor peak flow "as much
as possible". The National Asthma Education Program's (NAEP) 2007
Expert Panel Report highlights the value of regular PEFR readings
in evaluating medications, detecting "early warning" signs, and
precluding hospital visits (NIH Publication No. 07-4051). The
American Thoracic Society (ATS) and National Heart, Lung and Blood
Institute (NHLBI) recommend that patients with known respiratory
disease regularly monitor their lung function. When a patient is
able to routinely monitor his/her condition, the chances of
successful management are improved.
[0012] Despite the recommendations of medical authorities, use of
peak flow meters is far from ubiquitous. According to Allan H.
Goroll, MD and Albert G. Mulley, MD, authors of the 2009 edition of
"Primary Care Medicine", only 20% of asthma patients who stand to
benefit from using a peak flow meter actually use one. In practice,
availability, adoption and adherence all strongly influence the
impact that existing monitoring solutions have on asthma management
outcomes worldwide.
[0013] While leading physicians and medical institutions are
encouraging self-care through routine peak airflow monitoring, they
are not recommending that the entire burden of asthma management
fall on the shoulders of individual patients. Rather, medical
authorities such as the NAEP are advocating for a network-based
approach to self-care, characterized by collaborative relationships
between patients, physicians and family members. Within such a
network-based approach, the timely sharing of health information
among concerned parties is of particular importance.
[0014] There are several classes of peak flow monitoring devices.
One early type of device renders a threshold expiratory airflow
perceptible to end-users by means of a whistle. If the whistle
sounds when the user blows into the device, the user is meant to
conclude that their peak airflow is above this threshold airflow
rate. The threshold can be adjusted, usually by enlarging or
contracting a leak orifice situated between a mouthpiece and the
whistle section of the device. The leak orifice diverts a portion
of incoming airflow so that this portion does not pass through the
whistle. While such devices are inexpensive, simple to use, and
reward their users sonically for exhaling as forcefully as
possible, their threshold values must be set properly prior to use
in order to achieve valid results. Furthermore, as threshold
devices, they do not facilitate routine measurement in the manner
that leading physicians and medical institutions now recommend.
[0015] The majority of peak flow meters currently available are
mechanical devices with an enclosed moving element (such as a
piston) connected to an externally visible pointer, positioned in
close relation to a measurement scale. When a user blows into such
a device, the force of his/her breath repositions the moving
element, and its associated pointer points to a location on the
measurement scale to indicate the user's peak expiratory flow.
While such mechanical peak flow meters are simple and relatively
inexpensive, friction, inertia, gravity, and other artifacts of
mechanical implementation can compromise their accuracy. The need
for at least one enclosed moving part has implications for
reliability, ease of cleaning, and ease of sterilization. Since
mechanical peak flow meters typically only display the result of
the most recent measurement trial, they do not facilitate
presentation of multiple trial results simultaneously--much less
the visualization or exploration of trial data over a range of time
scales.
[0016] In response to some of the limitations of threshold-whistle
monitors and mechanical peak flow meters, electronic peak flow
meters have been devised. Electronic peak flow meters typically
incorporate some form of sensor, microprocessor, non-volatile
memory and an LCD display. Approaches to sensing vary; some devices
sense the rate at which a rotor spins in response to
breath-generated airflow. Other devices sense a difference in
pressure between two points along an air passageway, or the extent
of Doppler shift in an ultrasound signal as it passes across an air
passageway. Sensed values are usually translated into peak airflow
rate values by a microprocessor, stored in non-volatile memory, and
presented on an LCD display for a user to view. Electronic peak
flow meters tend to be more accurate than their mechanical
counterparts, and are able to store and display measurements (in
some cases, FEV.sub.1 in addition to PEFR) from multiple trials.
Some electronic peak flow meters also have the capability of
sending measurement data to a personal computer via an attached
cable or a wireless (radio-wave based) connection.
[0017] Although electronic peak flow meters typically offer greater
measurement accuracy than mechanical peak flow meters, this
accuracy comes at a price. Electronic peak flow meters tend to be
significantly more expensive, and are also frequently less
intuitive to use. To keep manufacturing costs down, user interface
elements (buttons and LCD display symbols, symbol-sections and or
pixels) are usually kept to a minimum--a factor that restricts ease
of use. The electronic communication capabilities that some
electronic peak flow meters offer are basic, and typically only
possible with significant additional expense in the form of data
cables, memory cards and personal computer software. Significantly,
electronic peak flow meters do little at present to capitalize on
advantages that software applications can provide within mobile
contexts of use.
[0018] Electronic peak flow meters currently require batteries, and
can run out of energy at inopportune moments--further eroding ease
of use and reliability. The need for battery-powered electronics
restricts how easily electronic peak flow meters can be washed and
sterilized without risk of damage. While electronic peak flow
meters are frequently sufficiently portable, they can become yet
another battery-powered electronic device a patient must carry
around on their person. In comparison with alternatives, electronic
peak flow meters are more complex to manufacture and more difficult
to recycle. They regularly contain toxic materials incongruous with
their function as health-monitoring devices.
[0019] One interesting class of airflow sensor that has only been
cursorily explored in the context of spirometry so far is that of
the vortex whistle. Vortex whistles have the property that the
fundamental frequency of sound waves they emit varies reliably and
repeatably with the rate of fluid flow passing through them. This
property makes it possible to derive a vortex whistle's
through-passing airflow rate from its frequency emissions. Vortex
whistles were first characterized by Bernard Vonnegut at General
Electric Research Laboratory during the 1950s, and their principle
of operation explained within his 1954 article "A Vortex Whistle",
published by the Journal of the Acoustic Society of America (Volume
26, Number 1). Essentially, a vortex whistle channels flowing fluid
(liquid or gas) into a swirling vortex, and then through an outlet
tube. As the vortex exits the outlet tube, it becomes unstable, and
whips around with an angular velocity comparable to its rotational
velocity. It is believed that the instability of the vortex as it
exits the outlet tube creates the vortex whistle's sound.
[0020] To date, vortex whistles have been used primarily within the
domain of industrial process control. The present research has
uncovered one effort to apply the principle of the vortex whistle
within the domain of spirometery, documented in "Application of the
Vortex Whistle to the Spirometer" by Hiroshi Sato, et al. in
Japan's 1999 Transactions of the Society of Instrument and Control
Engineers. This effort employed a vortex whistle based on
Vonnegut's design to measure expiratory airflow rate on a desktop
computer equipped with a microphone. While this investigation
introduced the use of a vortex whistle for measurement of
expiratory airflow rate, it did not address how the design of a
vortex whistle could be refined for use within the context of a
portable monitoring spirometry solution, nor did it consider or
address mobile scenarios of use.
[0021] In addition to vortex flow whistles, other forms of fluidic
oscillators/fluidic whistles (devices that generate accoustic
oscillation solely through their static structure and fluid dynamic
interactions) have been considered within the context of
spirometry, as evident from U.S. Pat. No. 3,714,828 (1973), U.S.
Pat. No. 4,182,172 (1980), U.S. Pat. No. 7,0940,208 (2006), and
U.S. Pat. No. 7,383,740 (2008). The spirometry solutions put
forward by these patents share the advantage of minimal need for
calibration. Because, however, these solutions employ fluidic
oscillators as components within or attached to dedicated
electronic peak flow measurement devices or systems, they suffer
from many of the previously discussed limitations that are typical
of electronic peak flow meters. Furthermore, the solutions
presented within these patents do not capitalize on audio feedback
as a means to reward a user for exhaling as forcefully as
possible.
[0022] While a range of monitoring spirometry solutions exists,
there remains significant room for improvement, particularly in the
following areas: [0023] Communication: At present, peak flow meters
are predominantly stand-alone devices that do little or nothing to
support timely, convenient flow of health information throughout a
patient's network of family members and physicians. In an age when
networked mobile information services are commonplace, the lack of
convenient mobile connectivity and structured channels of digital
communication are notable shortcomings. [0024] Visualization:
Existing portable monitoring spirometry solutions frequently fail
to provide concise graphical reports designed to facilitate quick,
sound interpretation and effective medical treatment decisions.
Furthermore, the user interfaces for existing portable monitoring
solutions do little to support exploration of trends over multiple
timescales. [0025] Ease of Use: Existing monitoring solutions
currently fail to minimize the inconvenience of routine monitoring
regimens--not only for patients, but also for family members and
physicians. [0026] Annotation: Existing peak flow monitoring
devices for the most part do not assist patients to supplement
automated quantitative measurement with self-reported contextual
details. The ability to annotate a trial record with information
such as whether the trial was performed following medication, what
medication(s) were used, and other information pertaining to the
trial would be of value in subsequent reviews of trial data by
patients, physicians and family members. [0027] Motivation:
Operation of a peak flow meter is effort-dependent. If a patient
does not routinely exhale as forcefully as they are able, the most
precise of measurement solutions cannot ensure accurate results.
Contemporary solutions do little to reward the consistent effort
required for routine expiratory airflow measurement--nor do they
frame the activity of measurement in ways that invite enjoyment.
Present solutions typically frame peak flow measurement as a task
to be completed, when it could alternatively be framed as a game to
be played, a competition to be won, or the price of admission for
some other form of rewarding experience administered in periodic
installments. [0028] Social Acceptability: The aesthetic/industrial
design of available peak flow monitoring devices is usually
clinical and utilitarian; for the most part, available devices and
systems cannot easily be construed as fun, cool, elegant or
fashionable. If an asthma patient feels reluctant or embarrassed to
carry, hold or use a monitoring solution, it is of little value to
them. [0029] Correlation: Identifying the factors that exacerbate
symptoms is a significant aspect of asthma management. Existing
portable peak flow monitoring solutions do little to help patients
correlate their own lung function with a range of potentially
relevant environmental variables, such as local pollen count and
geographic location. The ability to facilitate correlation could be
beneficial not only for patients and their networks, but also for
public health and medical research institutions in their efforts to
understand asthma on a larger scale. [0030] Reminding: The vast
majority of monitoring solutions do not provide patients with the
option of configuring and activating automated reminders that could
support the routine monitoring regimens that medical authorities
recommend. [0031] Although the frequently-competing constraints of
low cost, accuracy and reliability have been considered in the
past, these constraints have not historically been balanced in ways
that leverage the mobile technologies that a growing number of
people carry on their persons.
SUMMARY
[0032] In accordance with one or more embodiments, a means for
making human expiratory airflow-related measurements accessible to
hand-held mobile digital devices with audio input (such as mobile
phones, personal digital assistants, mobile gaming platforms, and
tablets) in a manner that is rapid, convenient, wireless,
battery-less, and without need for manual recording or data
entry.
[0033] One or more embodiments comprise: 1) A compact, portable
whistle that continuously encodes a user's expiratory airflow rate
as an audible frequency. 2) A software process that decodes the
audible frequency to regain expiratory airflow rate, and derives
respiratory parameters that are based on expiratory airflow rate,
such as PEFR and FEV.sub.1. The software process may run on the
mobile device; alternatively it may run remotely on a network
having access to audio from the mobile device, or it may be run in
a distributed fashion: partially on the mobile device, and
partially on the network.
[0034] An aspect of one or more embodiments is the ability to
leverage certain advantageous aspects of hand-held mobile digital
devices, while simultaneously simplifying requirements for a
dedicated portable spirometry device. These advantageous aspects
include: Connectivity for inter-personal communications and data
transfer; reminding through audio, vibrotactile and graphical
means; information display through sophisticated graphical, audio
and vibrotactile means; manual control through buttons and/or touch
screens; interactive feedback for motivational, instructional,
editorial, aesthetic and enjoyment purposes; data recording,
processing and storage; juxtaposition, combination and correlation
of information from local and remote sources; configurability and
extensibility in terms of the ability to download and incorporate
additional/alternate sounds, graphics, animations and software
applications.
[0035] Another aspect of one or more embodiments is the enabling of
a spirometry solution with no moving parts, electronics or
batteries, beyond what is already contained within the mobile
device. (Numerous people already own and carry such mobile devices
for purposes that are independent of spirometry). Since one or more
variations of the whistle contain no moving parts, electronics or
batteries, they can be manufactured and recycled more easily,
cheaply and reliably than existing spirometers using fewer energy
and material resources, can be manufactured from just one material,
and can be made from material(s) that do not place the entryway of
a user's respiratory and digestive tracts in close proximity with
toxins during use.
[0036] Still another aspect of one or more embodiments is to make
use of a whistle that produces sound wave emissions with a
fundamental frequency that varies with airflow rate, for the
purpose of communicating airflow-based measurements to a physically
separate hand-held mobile digital device with audio input, a device
that is not primarily designed for spirometry.
[0037] According to yet another aspect of one or more embodiments,
respiratory measurements are made accessible to the hand-held
mobile digital device through a means that is wireless, does not
require initial configuration of a wireless network, and does not
require any energy additional to the energy already contained
within a user's forced exhalation.
[0038] Further aspects of one or more embodiments are that the
whistle requires no frequent calibration, and can easily be cleaned
and sterilized using aqueous solutions (such as detergent and
water) without risk of damage.
[0039] According to a still further aspect of one or more
embodiments, the whistle provides audible real-time feedback to a
user that varies with a user's expiratory airflow rate. Measurement
of forced expiration is effort-dependent, and audible feedback is
one means of rewarding effort. In addition to rewarding user
effort, audible feedback can also facilitate identifying and
discounting invalid measurement trials.
[0040] According to an additional aspect of one or more
embodiments, the range of frequencies that the whistle emits in
response to peak expiratory airflow rates can fit comfortably
within a frequency range suitable for both the microphones used in
hand-held mobile digital devices, as well as one or more of the
wireless networks to which such hand-held mobile digital devices
can typically connect. The whistle's ability to function within a
frequency range defined by these two requirements enables
respiratory measurements to be derived by variations of the
software process running locally on the hand-held mobile digital
device, as well as by variations of the software process running
remotely on another device that connects to a network to which the
hand-held mobile digital device can connect.
[0041] According to yet another aspect of one or more embodiments,
the geometry of the whistle aligns the direction of incoming
airflow with the direction of outgoing airflow. This alignment
assists a user to aim (and feel like they are aiming) at the
hand-held mobile digital device, permits the user to easily view
interactive graphical feedback from the device, and supports
reliable communication between the whistle and the mobile digital
device.
[0042] These and other aspects of embodiments of the present
invention can be more fully understood when read in conjunction
with the following description, appended claims and accompanying
drawings. While the drawings and description include numerous
specificities, the present invention is broad in scope and intended
to be limited as only set forth in the appended claims.
DRAWINGS
Figures
[0043] FIG. 1 shows a system diagram in accordance with one or more
embodiments.
[0044] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a whistle, in accordance
with one or more embodiments.
[0045] FIG. 3 shows a high-level flow chart of a software process,
in accordance with one or more embodiments.
[0046] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a whistle, in accordance with
one or more embodiments.
[0047] FIG. 5 shows a sectional side view of a whistle, in
accordance with one or more embodiments.
[0048] FIG. 6 shows a front view of a whistle, in accordance with
one or more embodiments.
[0049] FIG. 7 shows an experimentally derived plot of the
characteristic relationship between input airflow rate and output
audio frequency for a prototype whistle, in accordance with an
embodiment of the whistle illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0050] FIG. 8 depicts a user blowing through a whistle with a
horn-shaped exterior towards a hand-held mobile digital device, in
accordance with one or more embodiments.
[0051] FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of a whistle combined with
a medicine dosage dispenser, in accordance with one or more
embodiments.
[0052] FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of the combination of whistle
and medicine dosage dispenser depicted in FIG. 9.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0053] 100--system's user, also referred to as the patient [0054]
101--whistle [0055] 102--hand-held mobile digital device [0056]
103--family members [0057] 104--physician [0058] 105--networked
data processing, storage and communication resource [0059]
106--networked computer or mobile device, primarily used by a
patient's family member(s) [0060] 107--networked computer or mobile
device, primarily used by a patient's physician(s) [0061]
200--inlet [0062] 201--airflow guide [0063] 201B--rounded front
face of airflow guide's center (visible in FIG. 6) [0064]
201C--front face of an airflow guide's vane (one of 8 vanes visible
in FIG. 6) [0065] 202--main tube [0066] 203--airflow constrictor
ring [0067] 204--outlet tube [0068] 205--outlet [0069] 801--whistle
with a musical horn-like exterior [0070] 900--housing for an
inhaler-dispenser, also referred to as a medical dosage dispenser
[0071] 901--medicine container [0072] 902--whistle [0073]
903--mouthpiece [0074] 1000--medicine delivery channel [0075]
1001--medicine container's nozzle [0076] 1002--outlet [0077] 3000 .
. . 3140--stages in a software process
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIGS. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7--First Embodiment
[0078] FIG. 1 illustrates the system surrounding and including one
or more embodiments of the present invention. This system diagram
depicts a user 100, and a whistle 101 that, when blown through
forcefully by a user, emits sound waves whose fundamental frequency
varies with the user's expiratory airflow rate in a reliable and
repeatable manner. FIG. 1 additionally depicts hand-held mobile
digital device 102 with a microphone, a display, the capability of
running the software process described in FIG. 3, and the ability
to communicate data (including audio data) over at least one
wireless network. Family members 103 and a physician 104 represent
the user's asthma care network. A networked data processing,
storage and communication resource 105, and computers or mobile
devices owned and or operated by one or more family member(s) and
physician(s) (106, 107) are also depicted.
[0079] FIG. 2 illustrates a whistle that is part of one or more
embodiments of the present invention. The whistle has an inlet 200
and an outlet 205. Situated between inlet and outlet within the
whistle's hollow main tube 202, there is an airflow guide 201. The
airflow guide, together with the inner wall of the main tube,
define several airflow passageways. The section of the whistle's
main tube stretching from the inlet to the airflow guide can
alternately be referred to as the inlet-region of the main tube,
the inlet tube, or the mouthpiece. An airflow constrictor ring,
203, creates a transition between the main tube and an outlet tube,
204, the outlet tube being of decreased diameter. The cylindrical
cavity within the main tube between the airflow guide and the
outlet tube can be referred to as the central cavity. Because the
inlet tube and outlet tube within this variation of the whistle are
coaxially aligned, the net direction of airflow into the whistle is
substantially the same as the net direction of airflow out of the
whistle.
[0080] FIG. 3 shows a software process. In one or more embodiments
of the present invention, this software process executes on a
hand-held mobile digital device with audio input and networking
capabilities (such as a mobile phone, personal digital assistant,
mobile gaming system, or tablet). The stages of the software
process are as follows: [0081] In stage 3000 the software process
is initiated by manual user input (such as pressing a button--or a
virtual touch-screen button--on the mobile device). [0082] In stage
3010, the software process communicates to the user that it is
ready to receive audio input (in other words, that it is ready for
the user to blow the whistle). [0083] In stage 3020, the process
monitors audio input, and records time and frequency-domain audio
data in preparation for determining whether the onset of a
"whistle-sound candidate"--a sound that might prove to be a valid
whistle sound--has begun. [0084] In stage 3030 the process
determines, based on recorded time and frequency-domain audio data,
whether a whistle-sound candidate has begun. [0085] In stage 3040,
the process finds the onset of a whistle-sound candidate, and marks
this onset within the data recorded for the current measurement
trial. [0086] In stage 3050, the process continues to monitor audio
input and record relevant time and frequency-domain data. [0087] In
stage 3060, the software process determines whether a whistle-sound
candidate has reached completion or timed out. [0088] In stage
3070, the end of a whistle-sound candidate is noted with respect to
the trial's recorded time and frequency-domain data. [0089] Within
stage 3080, the software process examines time and frequency-domain
audio data corresponding to the duration between whistle-sound
candidate onset and cessation, in order to assess whether the
whistle-sound candidate represents a valid whistle sound. [0090] In
stage 3090, the software process maps frequency-domain audio data
for a whistle sound to airflow rate measurements, based on the
whistle's characteristic relationship between airflow rate and
frequency. From these airflow rate measurements, the software
process then derives key respiratory metrics such as PEFR and
FEV.sub.1. [0091] In stage 3100, the software process arrives at
results for the trial (including the key respiratory metrics
determined in stage 3090) and makes these results accessible to
entities outside of the software process, such as the user and
other software processes. [0092] In stage 3110, the software
process determines whether a trial has continued for longer than a
certain maximum allowed duration. [0093] In stage 3120, the process
communicates to the user that the trial has timed out before the
onset of any whistle-sound candidate has been identified, and
provides the user with relevant feedback of a corrective,
instructional, and/or motivational nature. [0094] In stage 3130,
the software process determines whether a whistle-sound candidate
has continued for longer than a certain maximum allowed duration.
[0095] In stage 3140, the process communicates to the user that the
trial has timed out after the onset of a potentially valid
whistle-sound, and provides the user with relevant feedback of a
corrective, instructional, and/or motivational nature.
[0096] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the whistle illustrated in
FIG. 2, and indicates the cross section for the sectional view
illustrated in FIG. 5. Apparent from FIG. 4 are airflow guide 201's
rounded front portion and slanted vanes.
[0097] FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view of the whistle
illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0098] FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the whistle illustrated
in FIG. 2. Within FIG. 6, the vanes of the airflow guide--such as
one vane referenced by 201C--are apparent. The front of the central
portion of the airflow guide is referenced by 201B. The airflow
guide's vanes and central portion, together with the inner wall of
main tube 202, define a set of airflow passageways that wind around
the central axis of the whistle's central cavity.
[0099] FIG. 7 depicts the characteristic relationship between
airflow rate and audio frequency for one prototype whistle
constructed according to FIG. 2. The relationship is experimentally
derived from recorded audio and airflow rate data.
[0100] Audio data is sampled at 44.1 kHz, using a fast Fourier
transform (FFT) of size 1024. Given this sampling rate and FFT
size, the FFT frequency bin width is approximately 43 Hz. The
presence of multiple data points at periodic audio frequency
intervals is due to FFT frequency bin-width quantization.
[0101] Airflow rate is measured at a sampling rate of 83 Hz using a
factory-calibrated differential-pressure pneumotachograph. The
precision of the pneumotachograph measurements is believed to be
within .+-.5 L/min.
[0102] Notably, whistle frequency remains comfortably within an
audible range. The experimentally derived relationship between
airflow rate and audio frequency is close to linear, and can be
approximated by a second-order polynomial with R.sup.2=0.99866.
[0103] FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate embodiment. The figure
depicts a user 100 blowing through a whistle with a horn-shaped
exterior 801 towards a hand-held mobile digital device 102.
Operation
FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7--First Embodiment
Scenario 1
A Successful Measurement Trial
[0104] The user 100 initiates a measurement trial by starting the
software process outlined in FIG. 3 on mobile device 102, then
expresses to the process his or her intention to begin a new
measurement trial by pressing a button on the mobile device. In
3010, the software process prompts the user to blow the whistle
illustrated in FIG. 2, and begins to monitor and record audio input
in 3020.
[0105] The user exhales forcibly through the inlet 200 of the
whistle, generating an airflow that passes around the airflow guide
201 and through the set of airflow passageways formed by the
airflow guide and the inner wall of main tube 202. As expiratory
airflow passes through these airflow passageways, a vortex is
generated within the whistle's central cavity. This vortex passes
through the remaining stages of the whistle, and exits through the
whistle's outlet 205. As the vortex exits the whistle's outlet, it
begins to whip around the outlet tube's central axis with an
angular velocity comparable to its rotational velocity, thus
generating the whistle's characteristic sound.
[0106] Next, the software process identifies the onset of a
"whistle-sound candidate"--a sound that may ultimately be
determined by the software process to be a valid whistle-sound--in
3030. The software process marks the onset of the whistle-sound
candidate within the trial data in 3040 while continuing to monitor
and record audio in 3050.
[0107] As the user's forced exhalation finishes, the whistle's
sound subsides. The software process identifies the end of the
whistle-sound candidate in 3060, and marks the end of this
whistle-sound candidate within recorded audio data in 3070. Based
on data recorded between the start and end of the whistle-sound
candidate, in 3080 the software process determines that the
whistle-sound candidate represents a valid whistle-sound, and
continues to stage 3090, in which the whistle-sound's audio
frequency data is used--in conjunction with the whistle-device's
characteristic relationship between airflow-rate and frequency--to
derive measurements for PEFR and FEV.sub.1. These results are
subsequently made available to entities outside the software
process, including the user and other software processes in 3100.
Once results have been made available to the user and other
software processes running on the mobile device, these results can
be made available to remote digital devices and services (FIG. 1;
105, 106, 107) on one or more of the mobile device's network(s) for
the purposes of informing family members 103 and physicians 104,
and maintaining a secure and accessible record of completed
trials.
Scenario 2
A Trial Times Out Before A Whistle-Sound Candidate has Begun
[0108] In the event that a user initiates a trial (FIG. 3, 3000),
but the software process does not identify the onset of a
whistle-sound candidate within a maximum time period, the trial
times out, as detected within 3110. After timing out, the trial
communicates to the user that it has timed out in stage 3120, and
offers relevant recommendations on how to avoid timing out during
future trials.
Scenario 3
A Trial Times Out After A Whistle-Sound Candidate Has Begun
[0109] In the event that the software process identifies the onset
of a whistle-sound candidate, but does not identify cessation of
the whistle-sound candidate within a certain maximum allowable
duration, the trial times out, as detected within 3130. After
timing out, the trial communicates to the user that it has timed
out in stage 3140, and offers relevant recommendations on how to
avoid timing out during future trials.
Scenario 4
A Whistle-Sound Candidate is Determined Invalid
[0110] In the event that the software process identifies the onset
and cessation of a whistle-sound candidate, the software process
proceeds to 3080 to determine whether or not the candidate
represents a valid whistle-sound. If the data for the candidate
does not meet criteria required for a valid whistle-sound, the
software process passes to stage 3160, and offers relevant
recommendations for how to improve the chances of completing
successful trials in the future.
Discussion of Alternative Embodiments
FIGS. 8, 9, 10
[0111] Details of embodiments of the present invention may vary
considerably without departing from the basic principle of the
present invention.
[0112] Further refinements made for engineering, industrial design,
interaction design and standards-conformance purposes may change
proportions, dimensions, time-out durations, and numerous other
characteristics. Within the whistle depicted in FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and
6, for example, the number, angle, curvature and shape of its
airflow guide's vanes 201C may change. Instead of vanes, a helical
set of holes may be employed to guide airflow into a spiraling
motion.
[0113] According to one or more additional alternate embodiments,
the whistle may include a medicine dosage dispenser to reduce the
total number of asthma management-related items a patient must
carry on his or her person. FIGS. 9 and 10 show one variation of a
combined whistle-dispenser. This variation includes a housing 900,
a recess for holding a standard medicine container 901, and a
whistle 902 similar to the previously discussed whistle depicted in
FIG. 2. The depicted combination whistle-dispenser further
comprises a delivery channel for medication 1000 that connects the
medicine container's nozzle 1001 with the whistle-dispenser's
mouthpiece 903. Airflow entering the mouthpiece passes through the
whistle and out an airflow outlet 1002.
[0114] When the medicine container is pushed into its recess, a
dosage of medicine is dispensed through the whistle-dispenser's
mouthpiece. When a user exhales forcefully through the
whistle-dispenser's mouthpiece, all expiratory airflow passing
through the mouthpiece passes through the whistle, and contributes
to the generation of sound.
[0115] According to one or more alternate embodiments of the
invention, the external form of some variations of the whistle
could resemble brass or woodwind musical instruments. For example,
FIG. 8 depicts a user 100 blowing through horn-shaped whistle 801
towards a hand-held mobile digital device 102, thereby recasting
the task of routine peak flow measurement in terms of a potentially
more enjoyable performance-like activity.
[0116] An integrated or detachable cap could cover the inlet region
of some alternative variations of the whistle, to keep the inlet
region clean. The action of capping the inlet could be designed so
as to have the effect of wiping the inlet region clean. The outlet
tube could be designed to "collapse" into the main tube when the
whistle is not in use, in order to support a solution that is more
compact.
[0117] Alternative variations of the whistle could incorporate an
identification code that, when submitted to a specified information
service via a mobile device, returns a message validating a
whistle's authenticity--to discourage counterfeiting, and thereby
promote safety and reliability.
[0118] Just as the present invention's scope permits extensive
variation of the whistle, it also permits extensive variation of
the software process. Alternative variations of the software
process could execute remotely, on a networked resource such as 105
with access to audio data from a mobile digital device, or in
distributed fashion: partially on the mobile device, and partially
over a network to which the mobile device connects.
[0119] Instead of monitoring for one and only one whistle sound as
outlined in FIG. 3, alternate implementations of the software
process could monitor continually for the occurrence of
whistle-sound candidates.
[0120] Alternate variations of the software process could be
structured such that the recording of audio data occurs within an
interrupt service routine or a separate software thread, rather
than in one main routine as FIG. 3 depicts.
[0121] Still other variations of the software process could provide
the user with real-time interactive feedback while the user is
blowing through the whistle.
[0122] Such alternate embodiments of the present invention's
whistle and software process are offered as examples to illustrate
breadth of scope; numerous substitutions and variations are
possible without altering the basic premise of the invention.
ADVANTAGES
[0123] From the previous description, a number of advantages of one
or more embodiments of the present invention become evident: [0124]
(a) Embodiments of the present invention enable leveraging the
prodigious capabilities of prevalent hand-held mobile digital
devices equipped with audio input (such as mobile phones, personal
digital assistants, mobile gaming platforms and tablets), while
simultaneously simplifying requirements for--and reducing the cost
of--a dedicated portable spirometry appliance. [0125] (b)
Embodiments of the present invention render respiratory
measurements digitally accessible to hand-held mobile digital
devices in a manner that is wireless, requires no electric power
for signal transmission, and requires no wireless network
configuration. [0126] (c) Whistle variations within more than one
embodiment of the present invention intrinsically provide a user
with audible real-time feedback that can serve to motivate the user
to give his or her best effort, and thus indirectly contribute to
the accuracy of spirometric measurements. [0127] (d) Whistle
variations within one or more embodiments of the present invention
are compact, highly portable, and contain no moving parts,
electronics or batteries. [0128] (e) Because whistle variations
within one or more embodiments of the present invention can be made
from a single non-toxic material and contain no electronics, they
can be manufactured using less energy and materials than alternate
solutions, and can be recycled more easily. [0129] (f) Because
whistle variations within one or more embodiments of the present
invention can be manufactured from one non-toxic substance, they
can be designed so as not to put toxic substances in close
proximity with the entranceways of a user's respiratory and
digestive tracts. [0130] (g) Whistle variations within one or more
embodiments of the present invention can be designed to accommodate
the frequency limitations of the microphones used in hand-held
mobile digital devices, as well as the bandwidth limitations of
some of the wireless networks to which hand-held mobile digital
devices typically connect. As a result, airflow measurements can be
derived by variations of the software process running locally on a
hand-held mobile digital device, as well as by variations of the
software process running remotely, on another device connected to a
network to which the hand-held mobile digital device connects.
[0131] (h) In contrast with vortex whistles that position inlet and
outlet at right angles relative to each other, whistle variations
within more than one embodiment of the present invention align the
direction of incoming airflow with the central axis of the outlet.
Such an alignment assists a user to aim (and feel like they are
aiming) at a hand-held mobile digital device, permits the user to
easily view interactive graphical feedback from the device, and
supports reliable communication between whistle and mobile digital
device. [0132] (i) In contrast with some other spirometry
solutions, embodiments of the present invention require no frequent
calibration. [0133] (j) Since whistle variations within embodiments
of the present invention contain no electronics, they can be
cleaned with readily available aqueous solutions without risk of
damage.
CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE
[0134] Accordingly, the reader will see that at least one
embodiment of the present invention enables a more versatile
expiratory measurement solution that is amenable to improved
communication, visualization, reminding, annotation, correlation
and motivation at less additional expense to a user, through
leveraging the capabilities of ubiquitous hand-held mobile digital
devices with audio input and networking capabilities (such as
mobile phones, personal digital assistants, mobile gaming
platforms, and tablets).
[0135] Though the description above contains specificities, these
specificities should not be construed as limiting the scope of
embodiments, but merely as assisting in the presentation of
illustrative examples. Additional variations are possible; for
example, alternate variations of the whistle could incorporate a
fixture and/or holes that enable the whistle to be worn using a
strap or a necklace, or alternatively, used as part of a keychain.
Alternate variations of the system's software process could
automatically monitor for several trials in succession, rather than
just one trial.
[0136] Thus, the scope of the embodiments should be determined by
the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by any
specific examples given.
* * * * *