U.S. patent application number 15/209221 was filed with the patent office on 2018-01-18 for method and system to notify female fertility period.
This patent application is currently assigned to WITHINGS. The applicant listed for this patent is WITHINGS. Invention is credited to Marc Besnard, Nadine Buard, Cedric Hutchings, Ruiyi Yang.
Application Number | 20180014816 15/209221 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59350927 |
Filed Date | 2018-01-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180014816 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Buard; Nadine ; et
al. |
January 18, 2018 |
Method and System to Notify Female Fertility Period
Abstract
A method for determining a fertility period for a female human
individual (FU), carried out in a device comprising a controller, a
non-invasive heart sensor placed in contact or opposite to a
portion of the skin of the individual, during the sleep of the
individual, the heart sensor being configured to sense heart pulses
of the individual and the controller being configured to determine
the heart rate, the method comprising the following steps: /a/
collecting, at the sensor, heart pulses signals of the individual;
/b/ extracting therefrom, at the controller, current heart rate
during a night; /c/ calculating a minimal sleep heart rate denoted
MSHR(i), over the night; /d/ comparing MSHR(i) with values of
MSHR(k) recorded previously, and/or comparing MSHR(i) with a long
term average of the minimal sleep heart rate values denoted LTHR;
/e/ deducing therefrom a current ovulation probability index,
according to a predefined criteria; /f/ if the ovulation
probability index is higher than a predefined threshold denoted
PTH, notify the individual with a fertility time window.
Inventors: |
Buard; Nadine; (Meudon,
FR) ; Yang; Ruiyi; (Coignieres, FR) ; Besnard;
Marc; (Paris, FR) ; Hutchings; Cedric;
(Brookline, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WITHINGS |
Issy Les Moulineaux |
|
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
WITHINGS
Issy Les Moulineaux
FR
|
Family ID: |
59350927 |
Appl. No.: |
15/209221 |
Filed: |
July 13, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/4325 20130101;
A61B 5/681 20130101; A61B 2010/0029 20130101; A61B 10/0012
20130101; A61B 2562/0219 20130101; A61B 5/024 20130101; A61B 5/6892
20130101; A61B 5/1118 20130101; A61B 5/1123 20130101; A61B 5/01
20130101; A61B 5/02416 20130101; A61B 2010/0019 20130101; A61B
5/0002 20130101; A61B 5/743 20130101; A61B 2562/0271 20130101; A61B
5/02438 20130101; A61B 5/0205 20130101; A61B 5/4343 20130101; A61B
5/4809 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 10/00 20060101
A61B010/00; A61B 5/11 20060101 A61B005/11; A61B 5/024 20060101
A61B005/024; A61B 5/00 20060101 A61B005/00; A61B 5/0205 20060101
A61B005/0205 |
Claims
1. A method for determining a fertility period for a female human
individual (FU), carried out in a device comprising a controller,
one or more non-invasive heart sensor placed in contact with or
opposite to a portion of the skin of the individual, at least
during the sleep of the individual, the heart sensor being
configured to sense heart pulses of the individual and the
controller being configured to determine the heart rate, the method
comprising the following steps: /a/ receiving, from the one or more
sensor, heart pulses signals of the individual, /b/ extracting
therefrom, at the controller, current heart rate during a daily
time period of interest T(i), said time period being comprised
within a 24-hour period, /c/ calculate a minimal sleep heart rate
denoted MSHR(i), over the daily time period of interest, i denoting
a daily index, /d/ comparing MSHR(i) with values of MSHR(k)
recorded previously, and/or comparing MSHR(i) with a long term
average of the minimal sleep heart rate values denoted LTHR, /e/
deducing therefrom a current ovulation probability index, according
to a predefined criteria, /f/ if the ovulation probability index is
higher than a predefined threshold denoted PTH, notify the
individual with a fertility time window.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the heart sensor is a
photoplethysmographic sensor, and at step /a/ a
PhotoPlethysmoGraphy technique is used.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a
motion sensor and the daily time period of interest is defined to
be a sleep phase of the individual, the sleep phase being
determined when a sensed motion sensed by the motion sensor is
below a predefined level (MTH).
4. The method of claim 3, wherein at step /c/ the controller
identifies a deep sleep phase, and the minimal sleep heart rate
MSHR(i) is taken as the lowest value of heart rate during the deep
sleep phase(s) of the lapsed night.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein at step /e/ the ovulation
probability index is set to exceed PTH if
[MSHR(i)-MSHR(i-1)>0.75, and MSHR(i-1)-MSHR(i-2)>0.75], or
MSHR(i)-MSHR(i-3)>2.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein at step /e/ the ovulation
probability index is set to exceed PTH if MSHR(i)-LTHR>0.1 and
LTHR-MSHR(i-1)>0.1.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculation and/or at least
one predefined criteria are based on the ambient temperature and/or
the skin temperature.
8. A device for notifying, a female human individual (FU) with a
fertility time window, comprising a controller and one or more a
non-invasive heart sensor intended for placement in contact with or
opposite to a portion of the skin of the individual, at least
during the sleep of the individual, the sensor being configured to
sense heart pulses of the individual and the controller being
configured to determine the heart rate, the controller being
configured to calculate a minimal sleep heart rate denoted MSHR(i),
over a daily time period of interest T(i), said time period being
comprised within a 24-hour period, the controller being configured
to compare MSHR(i) with values of MSHR recorded the preceding
nights, and/or comparing MSHR(i) with a long term average of the
minimal sleep heart rate values denoted LTHR, the controller being
configured to determine a current ovulation probability index,
according to a predefined criteria, and if the ovulation
probability index is higher than a predefined threshold, to notify
the individual with a fertility time window.
9. The device of claim 8, further comprising a motion sensor and
with daily time period of interest is defined to be a sleep phase
of the individual, the sleep phase being determined when sensed
motion is below a predefined level (MTH).
10. The device of claim 8, wherein the heart sensor is a
photoplethymographic sensor.
11. The device of claim 8, formed as a wristwatch including the
non-invasive sensor.
12. The device of claim 8, farther comprising a display element to
display the fertility period notification.
13. A system comprising a device as defined in claim 8, wherein the
one or more sensor comprises a secondary sensor formed as a sensing
mat in a bed, and/or as a video camera.
14. A system comprising a device as defined in claim 8, and farther
comprising a smartphone configured to display data and histograms
of the female cycle assessment.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present invention relates to methods and systems for
determining a fertility period for a female human individual
(FU).
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] There is a need to try to predict and/or notify the fertile
periods of a female subject, because in some cases nowadays it may
be difficult to start a pregnancy.
[0003] Many methods to predict fertile periods have been proposed,
in which the female subject has to take particular measurement(s)
at particular moment(s), at wakeup or during the day. However,
practically, these methods prove to be annoying and discourage
many.
[0004] Some have proposed to determine female menstrual cycles by
measuring precisely every morning at wakeup a body core temperature
of a subject. The menstrual cycle and ovulation dates are estimated
by comparing the day temperature value with a monthly average
reference value and/or by drafting timing charts, which often
upsets the user.
[0005] Therefore, there remains a need to propose a system and a
method which are particularly non-invasive and unobstrusive, and
therefore well accepted by the user. Reliability and simplicity of
use is also a target to meet.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is
disclosed a method for determining a fertility period for a female
human individual (FU), carried out in device comprising a
controller, at least a non-invasive heart sensor placed in contact
or opposite to a portion of the skin of the individual, at least
during the sleep of the individual, the heart sensor being
configured to sense heart pulses of the individual and the
controller being configured to determine the heart rate (`HR`), the
method comprising the following steps:
[0007] /a/ collecting, at the sensor, heart pulses signals of the
individual,
[0008] /b/ extracting therefrom, at the controller, current heart
rate during a daily time period of interest, said time period being
comprised within a 24-hour period,
[0009] /c/ calculate a minimal sleep heart rate denoted MSHR(i),
over the daily time period of interest,
[0010] /d/ comparing MSHR(i) with values of MSHR(k) recorded
previously, and/or comparing MSHR(i) with a long term average of
the minimal sleep heart rate values denoted LTHR,
[0011] /e/ deducing therefrom a current ovulation probability
index, according to a predefined criteria,
[0012] /f/ if the ovulation probability index is higher than a
predefined threshold, notify the individual with a fertility time
window.
[0013] Thanks to these dispositions, the fertility time window can
be notified to the user very easily, without having the need to
monitor a particular biometric parameter from the user standpoint.
Preferably, the user has just to wear a particular watch-like
device or a specific watch at the wrist, without bothering about
any particular monitoring. This proposed method proves to be
unexpectedly simple to use and user-friendly.
[0014] In various embodiments of the invention, one may possibly
have recourse in addition to one and/or other of the following
arrangements.
[0015] According to one preferred option, the heart sensor (4) is a
PhotoPlethysmoGraphic sensor, preferably placed adjacent to a
portion of the skin of the individual, and at step /a/ of the
method, a PhotoPlethysmoGraphy technique is used.
[0016] Therefore the proposed method ensures reliability,
non-invasiveness and unobstrusiveness.
[0017] According to one preferred option, the device further
comprises a motion sensor (7) and the daily time period of interest
is defined to be a sleep phase of the individual, the sleep phase
being determined when sensed motion (sensed by the motion sensor)
is below a predefined level (MTH).
[0018] It was found that performing HR filtering and analysis,
particularly on sleep phases, enhances the reliability of the
method.
[0019] According to one preferred option, at step /e/, the
controller identifies a deep sleep phase, and the minimal sleep
heart rate (`MSHR`) is taken as the lowest value of heart rate
during the deep sleep phase(s) of the lapsed night.
[0020] It was found that focusing especially on deep sleep phases
further enhances the reliability of the method.
[0021] According to one preferred option, at step /e/, the
ovulation probability index is set to exceed PTH if
[MSHR(i)-MSHR(i-1)>0.75 and MSHR(i-1)-MSHR(i-2)>0.75] or if
MSHR(i)-MSHR(i-3)>2.
[0022] It was found that such a substantial increase generally
reflects the ovulation process.
[0023] According to one aspect, at step /e/ the ovulation
probability index is set to exceed PTH if MSHR(i)-LTHR>0.1 and
LTHR-MSHR(i-1)>0.1.
[0024] It was found that such event also generally reflects the
ovulation process.
[0025] The ambient temperature and/or the skin temperature may also
be taken into account in the calculation and/or in the predefined
criteria.
[0026] One or two particular derating logic calculations can be
applied to discard the effects of the ambient temperature and/or
the skin temperature.
[0027] The present invention also targets a device, intended to be
used to notify a female human individual (FU) with a fertility time
window, comprising a controller (2) and at least a non-invasive
heart sensor (4) intended to be placed in contact or opposite to a
portion of the skin of the individual, at least during the sleep of
the individual, the sensor being configured to sense heart pulses
of the individual and the controller being configured to determine
the heart rate, the controller being configured to calculate a
minimal sleep heart rate denoted MSHR(i), over a daily time period
of interest T(i), said time period being comprised within a 24-hour
period,
the controller being configured to compare MSHR(i) with values of
MSHR recorded the preceding nights, and/or comparing MSHR(i) with a
long term average of the minimal sleep heart rate values denoted
LTHR, the controller being configured to determine a current
ovulation probability index, according to a predefined criteria,
and if the ovulation probability index is higher than a predefined
threshold, to notify the individual with a fertility time
window.
[0028] According to a preferred option, the device may further
comprise a motion sensor and the daily time period of interest is
defined to be a sleep phase of the individual, the sleep phase
being determined when sensed motion is below a predefined
level.
[0029] According to a preferred option, the heart sensor is a
PhotoPlethysmoGraphic sensor, preferably placed adjacent to a
portion of the skin of the individual.
[0030] In a particular embodiment, the device is a wristwatch (1)
including the non-invasive sensor.
[0031] In particular embodiment, the device comprises a display
element (3) to display the fertility period notification.
[0032] The present invention also targets a system, including the
device as defined above and optionally a secondary sensor formed as
a sensing mat in the bed (19), and/or as a video camera (18). The
system may also comprise a smartphone (9) configured to display
data and histograms of the female cycle assessment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] Other features and advantages of the invention appear from
the following detailed description of one of its embodiments, given
by way of non-limiting example, and with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0034] FIG. 1 shows a female user sleeping and wearing a monitoring
device at the wrist,
[0035] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the monitoring device at the
wrist,
[0036] FIG. 3 shows a focused cross section of a wrist watch like
embodiment,
[0037] FIG. 4 is an example time chart showing a typical night
sequence with determination of a Minimal Sleep Heart Rate,
[0038] FIG. 5 shows a time chart exhibiting the Minimal Sleep Heart
Rate over several ovulations cycles,
[0039] FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of the monitoring device,
[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates the steps of the method.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0041] In the figures, the same references denote identical or
similar elements.
[0042] As illustrated on FIGS. 1 and 2, one exemplary embodiment of
the present disclosure, shown a watch-like device 1.
[0043] Advantageously, the watch-like device 1 may be worn at the
wrist 90, via a wrist strap 5. Said wrist strap 5 may have a front
window 51 through which user can view the display of the watch-like
device and a back window 52 that will be discussed later.
[0044] The watch-like device can be a conventional wrist watch, an
activity monitor otherwise called activity tracker, a smart watch,
or the like.
[0045] The watch-like device 1 comprises a control unit 2 otherwise
called processing unit 2 or CPU.
[0046] According to the exemplified embodiment illustrated at FIG.
3, a non-invasive heart sensor 4 is placed in contact with a
portion of the skin 91 of the individual, behind a protective glass
14.
[0047] Alternatively, as shown at FIG. 2, the non-invasive heart
sensor 4 can be placed opposite to the skin, at a certain distance
from the skin.
[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the non-invasive heart sensor 4
is a PhotoPlethysmoGraphic sensor, placed adjacent to the skin. As
known per se, in one solution among others, an infrared source 41
illuminates a skin portion and a photoreceptor 40 senses the light
emitted, which fluctuates in accordance with the flow of blood.
[0049] Whether the non-invasive heart sensor is in direct contact
or not with the skin, it can sense the blood circulation in small
capillary artery/vein network denoted 92 (FIG. 3).
[0050] However, in other embodiments, the non-invasive heart sensor
4 can be a miniaturized IR video camera using IR
PhotoPlethysmoGraphic technique, contfigured to sense the heart
pulses at a certain distance from the skin. A IR video camera using
a IR PhotoPlethysmoGraphic technique is taught in document
EP2976998 ("Baby Monitor IR").
[0051] However, in other embodiments, the non-invasive heart sensor
4 can be an impedancemetry sensor placed adjacent to the skin of
the subject.
[0052] According to another variant, the non-invasive heart sensor
4 can be a ballistography sensor, like for example a sensing mat
disposed within the bed, as disclosed in document EP2873368
("sensing mat").
[0053] Additionally, a motion sensor 7 is preferably provided in
the activity monitor on order to sense the accelerations and
movements of the user. The motion sensor is formed in the
illustrated example as a multi-axis acceleration sensor 7 (also
called `accelerometer`). The processing unit 2 samples the signals
outputted by the acceleration sensors. The processing unit 2
computes said signals in order to assess user acceleration,
movements and other information as this will be discussed below
[0054] The activity monitor may also comprise a temperature sensor
6. In some body locations, the temperature sensor 6 is intended to
be close to the body of the user in order to sense an environmental
temperature close to the user's skin.
[0055] For example, as illustrated on FIG. 2, the temperature
sensor 6 can be located at the back side of the device, opposite to
the display 3, and thanks to the back window of the wrist strap 5,
the temperature sensor is facing the skin of the user at the user's
wrist 90. As illustrated on FIG. 3, the temperature sensor 6 can be
arranged behind a thermally conductive cover 64.
[0056] Further, there may be provided an ambient air temperature
(not shown), configured to sense the general environment
temperature and which may differ from the skin temperature.
[0057] As illustrated on FIGS. 4 and 5, the monitoring device 1
monitors the Heart Rate of the female subject over time. During the
sleep, the heart sensor is used to sense heart pulses of the
individual (step /a/ of the method), whatever the technique used
(PPG, IPG, ballistography). The controller 2 is configured to
determine the heart rate (HR), after measuring the time interval
between two subsequent heart pulses. (step /b/ of the method). Each
HR sample is recorded and this represents a curve versus time (the
lower curve 48 on FIG. 4).
[0058] The heart rate (HR) is quantified in "bpm" units, i.e. beats
per minute; at rest, generally an adult has a HR between 60 bpm and
80 bpm; a younger subject may have a higher range, e.g. between 70
bpm and 100 bpm.
[0059] The curve of the HR exhibits a minimum over the night. The
minimal sleep heart rate over the night is denoted MSHR(i). In the
shown example, this minimum occurs around 4h15.
[0060] Generally speaking, the minimum over the past 24 hours can
also be considered. The minimal sleep heart rate over past 24 hours
period is denoted MSHR(i), with no regard of what kind of sleep
phases happened.
[0061] Focusing back to the sleep phase(s), sleep state can be
determined and/or confirmed through an `activity index` obtained
from the sensed motion sensed at the motion sensor 7. As
illustrated at FIG. 4, the activity index is monitored overt time
(top curve 78 on FIG. 4), and such activity index is compared with
a predefined level denoted MTH (for Motion Threshold). When the
activity index is below MTH, then a state of sleep of FU is
assumed. When the activity index turns to exceed MTH, then the
state of sleep is ended. Sleep state is also assessed through the
skin temperature sensor data.
[0062] There can be a low-pass filtering on the sensed motion data
sensed at the motion sensor 7.
[0063] Then, on a larger time scale, each night MSHR(i) is plotted
on a curve 58 shown at FIG. 5.
[0064] The controller is therefore able to compare the most recent
MSHR(i) with values of MSHR(k) recorded previously. More precisely
MSHR(k) recorded over the two or three previous days are of
particular interest.
[0065] The controller is also able to compare the most recent
MSHR(i) with a long term average of the minimal sleep heart rate
values denoted LTHR. The long term average LTHR can be computed
from a general HR average over a rolling window ranging on last
month or last 2 months, or even more. LTHR reflects the heart rate
at complete rest of an individual. This value differs from one
individual to another, and therefore it's important that the
calculations are referenced to this personal biometric
characteristic.
[0066] Each MSHR(i) per night is recorded and this represents a
curve versus time, one example denoted 58 is given at FIG. 5.
[0067] Advantageously according to the present invention,
characteristics and particulars of this curve are used to detect
the ovulation date of the human subject.
[0068] More precisely, the control unit is configured to perform
calculation about sample points of this curve to output and
ovulation probability index.
[0069] The ovulation event is declared when ovulation probability
index exceeds a predefined threshold denote PTH.
[0070] More generally speaking, the controller is configured to
[0071] /e/ deduce from the curve of MSHR(i) a current ovulation
probability index, according to a predefined criteria,
[0072] /f/ if the ovulation probability index is higher than the
threshold PTH, notify the individual with a fertility time
window.
[0073] According to one option, the ovulation probability index is
set to exceed PTH if [MSHR(i)-MSHR(i-1)>0.75 and
MSHR(i-1)-MSHR(i-2)>0.75]. This denotes two successive
increments.
[0074] According to another option, the ovulation probability index
is set to exceed PTH if MSHR(i)-MSHR(i-3)>2. This denotes a
general ramp-up criteria. MSHR(i)-MSHR(i-2)>1.5 is an alternate
criterium.
[0075] According to another option, the ovulation probability index
is set to exceed PTH if MSHR(i)-LTHR>0.1 and
LTHR-MSHR(i-1)>0.1. This denotes a "zero-crossing" criteria, in
other words the curve goes from negative side of LTHR to positive
side of LTHR.
[0076] The watch or activity monitor 1 comprises a display 3
controlled by the processing unit 2. On the display 3, various
information can be made available to the user such a particular
color whenever the fertility time window number is "ON".
[0077] The monitor device comprises a wireless communication
interface 42 (here for example Bluetooth.TM., or Bluetooth.TM. Low
Energy `BLE` or the like), for sending collected data to a second
device 9 like a smartphone for example. Time charts, histograms and
so on can be displayed in a nice fashion on the smartphone
screen.
[0078] The monitor device 1 is powered by an on-board source of
energy 8, for example a rechargeable battery. This battery supplies
all the on-board elements in the device (the sensor 7, the display
3 and the processing unit 14, etc.). The battery can be a lithium
button cell type battery, e.g. a CR2025 battery, providing an
autonomy of several months in normal use.
[0079] The monitor device 1 measures continuously the user's heart
rate, to determine sport/activity Heart Rate and recovery Heart
Rate, daily Heart Rate, resting Heart Rate, etc. . . .
[0080] The monitor device 1 provides a 24/7 automatic activity
tracker; it automatically detects and analyzes the user everyday
moves, whether the user is walking, running, swimming or
sleeping.
[0081] In one embodiment, the monitor device 1 is water-resistant
to 50 meters (SA.TM.). Regarding its mechanical construction, the
wristwatch 1 illustrated at FIG. 3 comprises a stainless steel
casing 10 with a diameter comprised between 32 mm and 38 mm and a
thickness comprised between 10 and 14 mm, more preferably between
12 mm and 13 mm. The monitor device 1 comprises a cup-like plastic
base 12 for housing the battery, the PPG sensor 4 and the
temperature sensor 6.
[0082] At the system level, there can be provided beyond the
already mentioned smartphone 9, a sensing mat 19 to be placed in
the bed, and a conventional video camera 18. The smartphone 9 is
configured to display data and histograms about the sleep and the
female cycle assessment, together with one or more user
notification about the abovementioned fertility time window.
* * * * *