U.S. patent application number 16/350486 was filed with the patent office on 2019-03-28 for interactive behavioral treatment delivery system and method of use.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ashley Greenwald, Kerry Greenwald, Kerry Nemovicher. Invention is credited to Ashley Greenwald, Kerry Greenwald, Kerry Nemovicher.
Application Number | 20190096272 16/350486 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64315606 |
Filed Date | 2019-03-28 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190096272 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Greenwald; Ashley ; et
al. |
March 28, 2019 |
Interactive behavioral treatment delivery system and method of
use
Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed for presenting medical
treatment information relating to a patient's conditions or
symptoms. Some embodiments of the system include interactive
display views presenting patient behavioral instructional
information in multiple formats, including, for example, textual
and/or multimedia. Some embodiments of the system can present
information such as, for example, guidance on how to administer
and/or receive one or more medical treatments. Information
presented can, in part, be determined by logical processing of
information obtained interactively from a patient, patient's
assistance, biometric data collection device, and/or medical
practitioner. The system can log session navigation and data
collection information to a local data store and/or transmit that
information to a remote device for additional processing and/or
storage. In one embodiment, the system provides behavior based
birthing assistance.
Inventors: |
Greenwald; Ashley; (Reno,
NV) ; Nemovicher; Kerry; (Reno, NV) ;
Greenwald; Kerry; (Boca Raton, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Greenwald; Ashley
Nemovicher; Kerry
Greenwald; Kerry |
Reno
Reno
Boca Raton |
NV
NV
FL |
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
64315606 |
Appl. No.: |
16/350486 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13815216 |
Feb 11, 2013 |
10140879 |
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16350486 |
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61597685 |
Feb 10, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09B 5/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G09B 5/00 20060101
G09B005/00 |
Claims
1. An interactive birthing patient computerized behavioral
treatment delivery system comprising: receiving means for inputting
data concerning one or more among a birthing patient preference, a
birthing patient symptom, an external condition, or an available
resource, evaluation means for automatically determining without
interacting with a medical practitioner one or more available
birthing patient behavioral treatment options according to a set of
rules specifying birthing patient behavioral instructional content,
the set of rules including: (i) rules specifying birthing patient
behavioral instructional content according to desires and
preferences of a birthing patient for behavioral treatment
education, (ii) rules specifying birthing patient behavioral
instructional content according to when a particular need, desire,
condition, or symptom appears, (iii) rules specifying birthing
patient behavioral instructional content according to one or more
of physical attributes, state history, and decisions of the
birthing patient and external and birthing patient variables,
conditions, and circumstances, (iv) rules specifying birthing
patient behavioral instructional content that shows the birthing
patient what is occurring in her body and how far she has
progressed and thereby tends to motivate her to continue with her
labor by showing the extent of her progress, and (v) rules
providing for selection of birthing patient behavioral
instructional content by the birthing patient and thereby tending
to provide her with confidence and a feeling of control, presenting
means for displaying said one or more available birthing patient
behavioral treatment options, monitoring means for detecting the
occurrence of a birthing patient behavioral treatment option
selection event, programming means for accessing birthing patient
behavioral instructional content associated with said treatment
option selection, and feedback means for displaying said birthing
patient behavioral instructional content in an instructional view,
wherein the birthing patient behavioral instructional content
includes a plurality of videos.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the set of rules includes rules
that specify notifying the patient or an assistant of the patient
to perform certain actions at certain time intervals.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the evaluation means automatically
determines birthing patient behavioral treatment options according
to historical information relating to preferences, decisions, and
treatment results of the patient.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the birthing patient symptom
comprises one or more of station, dilation, effacement, and a
parameter indicated by a fetal monitor; and the available resource
comprises one or more of a birth ball, a massage tool, a shower, a
bathtub, a heat pack, and a cold pack.
5. An interactive birthing patient computerized behavioral
treatment delivery system comprising: (A) a computing device having
an input, an output, a memory, and a processor; (B) birthing
patient behavioral instructional content stored in the memory; (C)
at least one of: (i) a plurality of symptoms associated with
birthing, (ii) a plurality of preferences of a birthing patient,
(iii) a plurality of birthing conditions, and (iv) a plurality of
birthing treatment options stored in the memory; and (D) rules
stored in the memory including: (i) rules specifying birthing
patient behavioral instructional content according to desires and
preferences of the birthing patient for behavioral treatment
education, (ii) rules specifying birthing patient behavioral
instructional content according to when a particular need, desire,
condition, or symptom appears, (iii) rules specifying birthing
patient behavioral instructional content according to one or more
of physical attributes, state history, and decisions of the
birthing patient and external and birthing patient variables,
conditions, and circumstances, (iv) rules specifying birthing
patient behavioral instructional content showing the patient what
is occurring in her body and how far she has progressed and thereby
tending to motivate her to continue with her labor by showing the
extent of her progress, and (v) rules providing for selection of
birthing patient behavioral instructional content by the birthing
patient and thereby tending to provide her with confidence and a
feeling of control, the processor configured to: (i) receive from
the input one or more of birthing patient preferences, symptoms,
external conditions, or available resources, (ii) automatically
determine without interacting with a medical practitioner one or
more available birthing patient behavioral instruction options
according to the rules stored in the memory, (iii) display one or
more of the available birthing patient behavioral instruction
options through the output, (iv) detect the occurrence of a
behavioral instruction option selection event through the input,
(v) access birthing-patient behavioral instructional content
associated with the behavioral instruction option selection, and
(vi) display the behavioral instructional content through the
output, wherein the birthing patient behavioral instructional
content includes a plurality of videos.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the input comprises at least a
portion of a touch-sensitive video screen and the output comprises
at least a portion of the touch-sensitive video screen.
7. The system of claim 5 wherein the computing device comprises a
tablet.
8. The system of claim 5 wherein the rules include one or more
rules that specify notifying the patient or an assistant of the
patient to perform certain actions at certain time intervals.
9. The system of claim 5 wherein the processor is configured to
automatically determine birthing patient behavioral instruction
options according to historical information relating to
preferences, decisions, and treatment results of the birthing
patient.
10. The system of claim 5 wherein the input includes an interface
control activation of which identifies a currently-displayed video
for playback upon occurrence of a designated birthing patient
event.
11. The system of claim 5 wherein the processor is configured to
require submission of valid authentication credentials.
12. The system of claim 5 wherein the symptoms comprise one or more
of station, dilation, effacement, and a parameter indicated by a
fetal monitor; and the available resources comprise one or more of
a birth ball, a massage tool, a shower, a bathtub, a heat pack, and
a cold pack.
13. A method of delivering behavioral treatment to a birthing
patient, the method comprising: (A) receiving a first input
including one or more of birthing patient preferences, symptoms,
external conditions, or available resources; (B) determining in a
computing device without interaction with a medical practitioner
one or more treatment options according to a set of rules
including: (i) rules specifying birthing patient behavioral
instructional content according to desires and preferences of the
birthing patient for behavioral treatment education, (ii) rules
specifying birthing patient behavioral instructional content
according to when a particular need, desire, condition, or symptom
appears, (iii) rules specifying birthing patient behavioral
instructional content according to one or more of physical
attributes, state history, and decisions of the birthing patient
and external and birthing patient variables, conditions, and
circumstances, (iv) rules specifying birthing patient behavioral
instructional content showing the patient what is occurring in her
body and how far she has progressed and thereby tending to motivate
her to continue with her labor by showing the extent of her
progress, and (v) rules providing for selection of birthing patient
behavioral instructional content by the birthing patient and
thereby tending to provide her with confidence and a feeling of
control; (C) displaying the determined available treatment options
in a selection view; (D) detecting a treatment option selection
event in the selection view; (E) accessing birthing patient
behavioral instructional content associated with the treatment
option selection event, and (F) displaying the accessed birthing
patient behavioral instructional content in an instructional view,
wherein the birthing patient behavioral instructional content
includes a plurality of videos.
14. The method of claim 13 and further comprising storing a session
log containing information on data obtained during a session in
which birthing patient behavioral instructional content is
displayed.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the session log includes at
least one among a plurality of configuration parameter values, a
navigation path history, a plurality of patient selection values, a
plurality of patient condition values, and a plurality of session
activity time stamps.
16. The method of claim 13 wherein the birthing patient behavioral
instructional content includes graphic anatomical display
instruction.
17. The method of claim 13 and further comprising displaying a
reminder at a configurable time interval during a session in which
birthing patient behavioral instructional content is displayed.
18. The method of claim 13 wherein the birthing patient behavioral
instructional content comprises partner participation indicia.
19. The method of claim 13 and further comprising: (G) receiving a
second input; (H) responsive to the second input, determining in a
computing device without interaction with a medical practitioner
one or more treatment options according to the set of rules; (I)
displaying the determined available treatment options in a
selection view; (J) detecting a treatment option selection event in
the selection view; (K) accessing birthing patient behavioral
instructional content associated with the treatment option
selection event; and (L) displaying the accessed birthing patient
behavioral instructional content in the instructional view.
20. The method of claim 13 wherein the symptoms comprise one or
more of station, dilation, effacement, and a parameter indicated by
a fetal monitor; and the available resources comprise one or more
of a birth ball, a massage tool, a shower, a bathtub, a heat pack,
and a cold pack.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application entitled "Interactive Behavioral Treatment Delivery
System And Method Of Use," Ser. No. 13/815,216, filed Feb. 11,
2013, which claims priority through prior U.S. provisional patent
application by two of the present applicants, entitled "Behavior
Based Birthing," Ser. No. 61/597,685, filed Feb. 10, 2012, which
U.S. provisional patent application is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety. It is to be understood, however, that in
the event of any inconsistency between this specification and any
information incorporated by reference in this specification, this
specification shall govern.
COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX
[0002] A Computer Program Listing Appendix was submitted
electronically and is included with this application. The entire
contents of the Computer Program Listing Appendix is incorporated
herein by reference. The Computer Program Listing Appendix includes
the following files:
TABLE-US-00001 File Files Contained on Computer Program Listing
Appendix No. File Name Date Created File Size (Bytes) 1
InfoPlist.strings Jan. 13, 2013 47 2 MainStoryboard.storyboard Jan.
24, 2013 243399 3 Stork_Assist-Info.plist Jan. 13, 2013 1782 4
Stork_Assist-Prefix.pch Jan. 13, 2013 323 5 Stork_Assist.xcodeproj
Jan. 24, 2013 170 6 availableIfConfined.plist Jan. 13, 2013 1943 7
bbbActionsForMeViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 389 8
bbbActionsForMeViewController.m Jan. 13, 2013 9143 9
bbbAffirmationsViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 242 10
bbbAffirmationsViewController.m Jan. 13, 2013 1169 11
bbbAppDelegate.h Jan. 13, 2013 391 12 bbbAppDelegate.m Jan. 13,
2013 2317 13 bbbBreathingViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 281 14
bbbBreathingViewController.m Jan. 13, 2013 2191 15
bbbChallengeData.h Jan. 13, 2013 2152 16 bbbChallengeData.m Jan.
13, 2013 23553 17 bbbConsentViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 140 18
bbbConsentViewController.m Jan. 13, 2013 923 19
bbbContractionViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 1148 20
bbbContractionViewController.m Jan. 30, 2013 13389 21
bbbCopyViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 214 22
bbbCopyViewController.m Jan. 13, 2013 1951 23
bbbHippaViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 140 24
bbbHippaViewController.m Jan. 13, 2013 915 25
bbbHomeViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 556 26
bbbHomeViewController.m Jan. 13, 2013 2617 27
bbbInstructionsViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 210 28
bbbInstructionsViewController.m Jan. 13, 2013 3166 29
bbbLaborProgressViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 1183 30
bbbLaborProgressViewController.m Jan. 13, 2013 9286 31
bbbMailComposerViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 1006 32
bbbMailComposerViewController.m Jan. 30, 2013 6824 33
bbbMassageViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 276 34
bbbMassageViewController.m Jan. 13, 2013 2264 35
bbbMenuNavigationViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 164 36
bbbMenuNavigationViewController.m Jan. 13, 2013 1030 37
bbbPainTableViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 340 38
bbbPainTableViewController.m Jan. 13, 2013 5248 39
bbbPartnerActionsViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 388 40
bbbPartnerActionsViewController.m Jan. 13, 2013 6761 41
bbbPlayVideoViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 1765 42
bbbPlayVideoViewController.m Jan. 30, 2013 11471 43
bbbPositionsForMeViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 325 44
bbbPositionsForMeViewController.m Jan. 13, 2013 4883 45
bbbQuestionViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 900 46
bbbQuestionViewController.m Jan. 13, 2013 4348 47
bbbRythmicMovementViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 288 48
bbbRythmicMovementViewController.m Jan. 13, 2013 2317 49
bbbSetupViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 1549 50
bbbSetupViewController.m Jan. 13, 2013 6692 51
bbbSupportiveWordsViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 248 52
bbbSupportiveWordsViewController.m Jan. 13, 2013 1127 53
bbbTableViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 321 54
bbbTableViewController.m Jan. 13, 2013 6260 55
bbbTitleViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 158 56
bbbTitleViewController.m Jan. 13, 2013 1207 57 bbbViewController.h
Jan. 13, 2013 689 58 bbbViewController.m Jan. 13, 2013 1332 59
bbbWelcomeViewController.h Jan. 13, 2013 202 60
bbbWelcomeViewController.m Jan. 13, 2013 1728 61 challenges.plist
Jan. 13, 2013 40552 62 main.m Jan. 13, 2013 256 63 menuMeta.plist
Jan. 13, 2013 1345 64 supportAndAffirmations.plist Sep. 18, 2012
1970
[0003] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
or may contain material subject to copyright protection. The
copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction of
the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it
appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records,
but otherwise reserves all copyright rights.
[0004] The files included in the Computer Program Listing Appendix
are subject to copyright protection and any use thereof, other than
as part of the reproduction of the patent document or the patent
disclosure, is strictly prohibited.
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
[0005] The present application relates to health care practices and
more particularly to interactive methods and systems for the
delivery of behavioral treatments. One particular application is a
birthing patient behavioral instruction system.
BACKGROUND
[0006] In many circumstances where medical treatment is
appropriate, behavior-based treatments may be an alternative or
additional approach to other types of medical treatments. Delivery
of behavior-based treatments can involve guidance to the patient
that accounts for the condition of the patient, the preferences of
the patient, the responsiveness of the patient to particular
treatment types, as well as the relevant circumstance in existence
at the time a treatment is proposed.
[0007] One method of accounting for these variables when providing
guidance to a patient has been to engage medical practitioners
directly to provide oversight, diagnosis, instruction, and/or
treatment. One problem with this approach is that it requires
direct access to the medical practitioner at the time that
treatment is required, which can be impractical and/or impossible
at certain times. In addition, such access to practitioners, if
available, can be quite costly, even for routine guidance.
[0008] In an effort to provide patients assistance in making
treatment decisions without direct access to a medical
practitioner, patient education programs have been developed. These
programs have attempted to educate patients in advance of the need
for treatment guidance. However, this approach has lacked a number
of elements conducive to reliable and accurate treatment. First,
when a patient is under the stress and challenges associated with
the symptoms of a particular condition, it can be difficult for the
patient or those with them at the time to remember the teachings
delivered during the educational program, or to think clearly
enough to apply the teachings correctly. Further, the number of
variables used to deduce the proper treatment can be large, and the
relational complexity among the variables can be significant. This
approach relied on the patient to be able to account for and
mentally consider the set of variables and apply whatever
rule-based decision-making was necessary to determine the
appropriate treatment, even when relational complexity was
prohibitively complex.
[0009] An approach used in some situations has involved providing
the patient with a document incorporating rules and pictures into a
type of decision matrix that the patient could then use to try to
ascertain the optimal behavior-based treatment for a given
circumstance. In addition to the above drawbacks with the prior
solutions, this approach has required that the patient have ready
access to the document or documents, and that they be in a position
to read the material. It is both inconvenient and impractical to
expect people to carry with them a set of documents providing
guidance for whatever condition they might face at any given time.
Further, interacting with a complex set of rules by reading and
navigating a book or pamphlet may not be possible in many of the
traumatic situations that often exist at the time treatment is
desired.
[0010] This static approach to diagnosis and treatment based on a
pre-defined rule set has had the further drawback of making it
difficult to update treatment programs based on unexpected
conditions, newly-discovered relevancy of unaccounted-for
variables, and/or changes in the medical field relating to the
particular condition or treatment. The applicants believe they have
discovered that the redistribution of materials and/or continuing
education of patients is inconvenient and costly, as well as
unreliable given that it requires action on the part of the
patients to proactively obtain updates from the educator and/or
practitioner, and also relics on action by the educator and/or
medical practitioner to continually track patients and notify
patients of updates.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME ASPECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0011] The applicants believe that they have discovered the
problems and issues with prior art systems noted above as well as
advantages variously provided by differing embodiments of the
behavioral treatment delivery system and method of use disclosed in
this specification. It is to be understood that this Brief Summary
recites some aspects of the present disclosure, but there are other
novel and advantageous aspects. They will become apparent as this
specification proceeds.
[0012] Briefly and in general terms, the present invention provides
a system and method providing the patient or non-professional
assistant of the patient with the ability to receive behavioral
treatment information and/or education. In some embodiments, a
system and method provides interactive behavioral treatment
delivery systems that support the suggestion of treatments and
interventions that take into account specific external and patient
attributes, variables, conditions, and circumstances.
[0013] In some embodiments, the interactive behavioral treatment
delivery system incorporates a rule-based system that can account
for one or more among attributes specific to a given patient, the
circumstances relating to a given medical condition or symptom, the
conditions and variables external to the patient's state, and the
desires and preferences of the patient. Medical practitioners when
making decisions regarding the appropriate treatment for a given
patient often consider factors such as these. By incorporating
parameters such as one or more of these into an interactive
rule-based system, some embodiments can provide behavioral guidance
to or for a patient (which can be behavioral information provided
to a patient assistant for use for the benefit of the patient)
without requiring direct interaction with a medical practitioner
and/or participation in a patient education program. This can, in
certain instances, reduce delays in treatment, reduce the overall
treatment costs, and/or increase the sense of control a patient has
regarding their treatment. Further, in some applications, this can
provide the patient with increased confidence, positive sentiment,
and feelings of control when selecting and undergoing
treatment.
[0014] It is often the case that advances in medicine change the
recommended treatment for a specific medical condition or symptom
related to a medical condition. In certain embodiments, the
interactive behavioral treatment delivery system receives updates
to the rule-based logic and content, allowing treatment
recommendations to remain current based upon more recent or
differing medical research or theories. A further advantage of the
update capability can be augmentation of the system with additional
structured decision programs and content, which can expand the
usefulness of the system to an increasing number of medical
conditions. In addition, in some embodiments, practitioners can
introduce specific recommendations, rules, and/or application
behaviors based on their own practice methodologies or knowledge of
a patient.
[0015] In certain instances, the interactive behavioral treatment
delivery system presents recommendations to one or more patients
and/or their assistant's on a mobile device such as, for example, a
laptop, a smart or similar phone, or a tablet computer. The
portability of such devices increases the likelihood that a patient
or patient assistant can have the device, and therefore the
behavioral instructional content, in their possession at the moment
when a particular need, desire, condition, or symptom appears.
Further, these devices can provide improved ease of use as compared
to books or other non-interactive content, increasing the
likelihood that the patient or patient assistant can obtain the
correct treatment guidance while reducing the time required to
navigate to the recommendation. In addition, in some embodiments,
the recommendations can include patient behavioral instructional
videos (which may consist of or include patient behavioral
instructional videos providing behavioral video instruction for the
benefit of the patient such as to a patient assistant) that play on
the device, providing a more effective experience to the patient
and improving their ability to properly perform the behavior.
[0016] In some embodiments, the interactive behavioral treatment
delivery system can be operated and displayed in a
system-independent container, such as an Internet browser. This
independence, can allow the patient access to the system content
from a variety of devices such as, for example, a computer, a
mobile device, and/or a television. This increased level of access
can allow the patient or the patient's assistant to interact with
the content and receive treatment guidance at an appropriate
location given their condition or mobility restrictions.
[0017] The ability to remind a patient to perform certain
activities at specific time intervals can be a valuable aspect of a
medical treatment. In some instances the interactive behavioral
treatment and delivery system notifies the patient or the patient's
assistant to perform certain actions at certain time intervals. In
certain of these embodiments, the notification configuration can be
tailored for a given patient by the patient, patient assistant,
practitioner, researcher, and/or other third party. This customized
notification can improve the effectiveness of the overall treatment
in general or for a specific patient. Further, this notification
function can reduce the burden on a patient to remember one or more
activities that should be performed as part of a treatment
program.
[0018] In some embodiments of the interactive behavioral treatment
and delivery system, a database stores the state history and
decisions of the patient or the patient's assistant. This
information can then be used by a medical practitioner or others to
tailor the decision logic and/or content of the system in general
or for the specific patient. Further, in some applications,
programs can be run that monitor the database for patterns or data
that are indicative of something requiring the practitioner and/or
another to modify the decision logic or content for a specific
patient and/or directly contact the patient. This database can be
of any format, such as, for example a relational data store, a set
of structured files, and/or a set of flat files.
[0019] In some instances, the interactive behavioral treatment and
delivery system can obtain and store information relating to
physical attributes of the patient such as, for example, blood
pressure, through peripheral monitoring devices such as the
Withings Blood Pressure Monitor.TM.. This information can then be
used directly by a medical practitioner and/or as a data input for
a particular rule path in the treatment recommendation decision
process.
[0020] In certain embodiments, the interactive behavioral treatment
and delivery system can store historical information relating to
patients' preferences, decisions and treatment results. Historical
and statistical data can be retrieved from the data store and/or
flat files and analyzed. Analytical models and technologies can
then be employed to improve the interactive behavioral treatment
and delivery system by, among other things, providing a
preference-rated or effectiveness set of options to a patient. Some
applications can further provide a statistical grade indicating
historical efficacy in situations similar to those that the patient
is experiencing, possibly improving the quality of the treatment
selection process and/or increasing the patient's confidence in the
selection.
[0021] Some applications provide a behavior based birthing
assistance implementation supporting one or more laboring women
and/or their assistants during labor. Some applications can instill
confidence and comfort, thus improving the birthing process.
[0022] In some applications, system the can recognize the needs of
the woman and provide teaching strategies to quickly demonstrate
effective behavioral coping techniques for a variety of challenges
experienced during labor. Further real time visual graphics can
show the patient what is occurring in their body and/or also
motivate them to continue on with their labor by showing them how
far they have progressed. In some applications, these graphics can
be provided to instill confidence in, and/or render more efficient
or effective, natural childbirth in contrast to more invasive
procedures such as, for example, cesarean delivery.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The preferred and other embodiments are shown in the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a computer network or similar digital processing
environment in which an interactive behavioral treatment delivery
system can be implemented;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a stand-alone digital processing environment in
which an interactive behavioral treatment delivery system can be
implemented;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the internal structure of a
computer (e.g., client processor/device 12 or server computers 26,
29) used in the computer network of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;
[0027] FIG. 4 is diagram of the view categories of the interactive
behavioral treatment delivery system according to an exemplary
embodiment disclosed herein;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the initial views of an
interactive behavioral treatment delivery system according to an
exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a tab controller with the
associated view controllers and views of the interactive behavioral
treatment delivery system according to an exemplary embodiment
disclosed herein;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a hierarchical set of
controllers and views initiated from the Challenge Selection View
Controller of FIG. 6 according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed
herein;
[0031] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a hierarchical set of
controllers and views initiated from the Contractions View
Controller of FIG. 6 according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed
herein;
[0032] FIG. 9 is a screen capture of the Title View of FIG. 5
according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
[0033] FIG. 10 is a screen capture of the Copyright View of FIG. 5
according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
[0034] FIG. 11 is a screen capture of the Welcome View of FIG. 5
according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
[0035] FIG. 12 is a screen capture of the Consent View of FIG. 5
according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
[0036] FIG. 13 is a screen capture of the Regulatory View of FIG. 5
according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
[0037] FIG. 14 is a screen capture of the first view of the
Tutorial View Sequence of FIG. 5 according to an exemplary
embodiment disclosed herein;
[0038] FIG. 15 is a screen capture of the second view of the
Tutorial View Sequence of FIG. 5 according to an exemplary
embodiment disclosed herein;
[0039] FIG. 16 is a screen capture of the third view of the
Tutorial View Sequence of FIG. 5 according to an exemplary
embodiment disclosed herein;
[0040] FIG. 17 is a screen capture of the fourth view of the
Tutorial View Sequence of FIG. 5 according to an exemplary
embodiment disclosed herein;
[0041] FIG. 18 is a screen capture of the fifth view of the
Tutorial View Sequence of FIG. 5 according to an exemplary
embodiment disclosed herein;
[0042] FIG. 19 is a screen capture of the sixth view of the
Tutorial View Sequence of FIG. 5 according to an exemplary
embodiment disclosed herein;
[0043] FIG. 20 is a screen capture of the seventh view of the
Tutorial View Sequence of FIG. 5 according to an exemplary
embodiment disclosed herein;
[0044] FIG. 21 is a screen capture of the eighth view of the
Tutorial View Sequence of FIG. 5 according to an exemplary
embodiment disclosed herein;
[0045] FIG. 22 is a screen capture of the Home View of FIG. 5
according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
[0046] FIG. 23 is a screen capture of the Setup View of FIG. 5
according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
[0047] FIG. 24 is a screen capture of the drink reminder
notification configured in the Composer View of FIG. 25 according
to an exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
[0048] FIG. 25 is a screen capture of the authentication prompt for
the Composer View of FIG. 5 according to an exemplary embodiment
disclosed herein;
[0049] FIG. 26 is a screen capture of the Composer View of FIG. 5
according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
[0050] FIG. 27 is a screen capture of the send mail event initiated
from the Composer View of FIG. 5 according to an exemplary
embodiment disclosed herein;
[0051] FIG. 28 is the contraction data portion of the session log
included in the email of FIG. 26 according to an exemplary
embodiment disclosed herein;
[0052] FIG. 29 is the setup and initial labor progress data portion
of the session log included in the email of FIG. 26 according to an
exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
[0053] FIG. 30 is the navigation and update data portion of the
session log included in the email of FIG. 26 according to an
exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
[0054] FIG. 31 is a screen capture of the Challenge Selection View
of FIG. 7 according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed
herein;
[0055] FIG. 32 is the top two levels of the property list hierarchy
for populating the selection lists in the selection views of FIG. 7
according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
[0056] FIG. 33 is the key-value pair list from the property list
for a subset of the key values in the property list hierarchy of
FIG. 31 according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
[0057] FIG. 34 is a screen capture of the Pain Selection View of
FIG. 7 according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
[0058] FIG. 35 is a screen capture of the Position Selection View
of FIG. 7 according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed
herein;
[0059] FIG. 36 is a screen capture of the Guidance Selection View
of FIG. 7 according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed
herein;
[0060] FIG. 37 is a screen capture of the Partner Option Selection
View of FIG. 7 according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed
herein;
[0061] FIG. 38 is a screen capture of the Play Video View according
to an exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
[0062] FIG. 39 is a screen capture of the Contraction View of FIG.
8 according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
[0063] FIG. 40 is a screen capture of the Contraction View of FIG.
8 after being updated by the Contraction View Controller in
response to a Contractions Started button event according to an
exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
[0064] FIG. 41 is a screen capture of the Post Contraction Survey
View of FIG. 8 according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed
herein;
[0065] FIG. 42 is a screen capture of the Labor Progress View of
FIG. 8 according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
[0066] FIG. 43 is a screen capture of the Supportive Words View of
FIG. 6 according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
[0067] FIG. 44 is a screen capture of the Affirmations View of FIG.
6 according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
[0068] FIG. 45 is a screen capture of the Breathing View of FIG. 6
according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
[0069] FIG. 46 is a screen capture of the Rhythmic Movement View of
FIG. 6 according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed herein;
and
[0070] FIG. 47 is a screen capture of the Massage View of FIG. 6
according to an exemplary embodiment disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS
[0071] Broadly, this disclosure is directed towards a method and
system for interactive delivery of behavioral medical treatment.
The following description provides examples, and is not limiting of
the scope, applicability, or configuration set forth in the claims.
Changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements
discussed without departing from the spirit and scope of the
disclosure. Various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add
various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, the
methods described may be performed in an order different from that
described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined.
Also, features described with respect to certain embodiments may be
combined in other embodiments.
[0072] Certain embodiments of the Interactive Behavioral Treatment
Delivery System And Method Of Use are described with reference to
methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products that can
be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer
program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general
purpose computer, special purpose computer, mobile computing
device, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce
a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the
processor of the computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus, create means for implementing the acts specified herein
to transform data from a first state to a second state.
[0073] These computer program instructions can be stored in a
computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other
programmable data processing apparatus to operate in a particular
manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable
memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction
means which implement the acts specified herein. The computer
program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other
programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of
operational steps to be performed on the computer or other
programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process
such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other
programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the acts
specified herein.
[0074] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and
algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments
disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware,
computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate
this interchangeability of hardware and software, various
illustrative components, blocks, modules, and steps have been
described generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such
functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon
the particular application and design constraints imposed on the
overall system. The described functionality can be implemented in
varying ways for each particular application, but such
implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a
departure from the scope of the disclosure.
[0075] The various illustrative logical blocks and modules
described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can
be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a
digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated
circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other
programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic,
discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed
to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose
processor can be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the
processor can be any conventional processor, controller,
microcontroller, or state machine. A processor can also be
implemented as a combination of computing devices such as, for
example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality
of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with
a DSP core, or any other such configuration.
[0076] The blocks of the methods and algorithms described in
connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied
directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor,
or in a combination of the two. A software module can reside in RAM
memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory,
registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other
form of computer-readable storage medium known in the art. An
exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor such that the
processor can read information from, and write information to, the
storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium can be
integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium can
reside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a computer terminal. In
the alternative, the processor and the storage medium can reside as
discrete components in a computer terminal.
[0077] Depending on the embodiment, certain acts, events, or
functions of any of the methods described herein can be performed
in a different sequence, can be added, merged, or left out all
together (e.g., not all described acts or events are necessary for
the practice of the method). Moreover, in certain embodiments, acts
or events can be performed concurrently, e.g., through
multi-threaded processing, interrupt processing, or multiple
processors or processor cores, rather than sequentially. Moreover,
in certain embodiments, acts or events can be performed on
alternate tiers within the architecture.
[0078] With reference to FIG. 1, a computer network or similar
digital processing environment 10 in which the system and method
disclosed can be implemented. The present systems and methods can
also run on different architectures that include a LAN, WAN,
stand-alone PC, stand-alone mobile device, a stand-alone,
clustered, or networked mini or mainframe computers, etc. The
interactive behavioral treatment delivery system and method of use
can be distributed on multiple computers and devices 12, 26, 29
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0079] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are representative of many specific
computing arrangements that can support the system and method
disclosed. In one embodiment, the software 36 implementing the
interactive behavioral treatment delivery system runs in the
iOS.RTM. environment. In another embodiment, the software is
implemented to run in other environments, such as Windows.RTM.,
UNIX.RTM., Linux.RTM., or in any hardware having enough power to
support timely operation of the software shown in FIG. 1 and/or
FIG. 2.
[0080] With reference to FIG. 1, client computers of various types
12 can connect to a remote server infrastructure 24 via a network
22 over a communication protocol. All computers can pace
information as unstructured data, structured files, structured data
streams such as XML, structured data objects and/or structured
messages. All client computers 18, 20, 14, 16 may support
connections to external devices such as external displays 21 and
biometric data collection devices 15. In some embodiments, the
width of the mobile device 14, 16 can range from about 60 mm to 195
mm, the height can range from about 110 mm to 275 mm, and/or the
weight can range from about 100 g to 2000 g.
[0081] Client computer(s) and devices 18, 20, 14, 16 and server
computer(s) 26, 29 provide processing, storage, and input/output
devices executing application programs. Client computer(s) 12 can
run both a behavior treatment delivery application and proprietary
biometric device software applications 15. Client computer(s) 12
can also be linked through communications network 22 to other
computing devices, including other client devices/processes 12 and
server computer(s) 26, 29. In some embodiments, server computer(s)
26, 29 run software to implement centralized persistent data
storage and retrieval. In other embodiments, client computer
devices 12 can maintain a local persistent data store 32. The
network 22 can be a local area network and/or a wide area network
that is part of a remote access network, a global network (e.g.,
the Internet), a worldwide collection of computers, and/or gateways
that currently use respective protocols (TCP/IP, UDP, etc.) to
communicate with one another. Multiple client computer devices 12
may each execute and operate instances of the behavior treatment
delivery application simultaneously. In some embodiments, the
behavior treatment delivery application system may include a
connection to an application store 23 that can provide application
and content updates to the behavior treatment delivery application,
database and/or both.
[0082] On reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will
recognize that many of the components discussed as separate units
may be combined into one unit and an individual unit may be split
into several different units. Further, the various functions could
be contained in one computer or spread over several networked
computers and/or devices. The identified components may be upgraded
and replaced as associated technology improves and advances are
made in computing technology.
[0083] With reference now to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the
behavior treatment delivery application can operate in a
stand-alone mode as a native application 35 providing user
interface views 33, a persistent data store 32, a non-persistent
data store 34, and/or application logic 36. The native application
may operate on a smart mobile device such as, for example, a tablet
14 or other client computer 12.
[0084] In the case of iOS.TM., for example, the persistent data
store 32 can be implemented locally using NSUserDefaults and/or
iOS.TM. Core Data methods. The non-persistent data store 34 can be
implemented through, for example, the generation of temporary files
and/or maintaining objects in volatile memory. Objective C or other
compatible application code 36 can be used to implement the
application logic. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the
application could be implemented in other programming languages,
such as, for example JavaScript, where the functionality may still
operate in a stand-alone mode but without being categorized as a
native application.
[0085] In some embodiments, the client computer device may include
an input device such as, for example, a touch screen interface,
voice recognition interface, and/or a keyboard, and may also have a
communications interface to one or more biometric collection
devices compatible with the specific computer device and
appropriate for purposes of the particular application implemented.
Standard and propriety interfaces to, for example, blood pressure
monitors, and contraction monitors, can readily be integrated with,
and where necessary licensed for, use with a behavior based
treatment delivery application.
[0086] With reference to FIG. 3, each component of the system 40 is
connected to system bus 50, providing a set of hardware lines used
for data transfer among the components of a computer or processing
system. Also connected to bus 50 are additional components 44 of
the interactive behavioral treatment delivery system, such as
additional memory storage, digital processors, network adapters and
I/O devices. Bus 50 is essentially a shared conduit connecting
different elements of a computer system (e.g., processor, disk
storage, memory, input/output ports, network ports, etc.) and
enabling transfer of information between the elements. I/O device
interface 42 is attached to system bus 50 in order to connect
various input and output devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse,
touch-screens, displays, printers, speakers, etc.) to the
interactive behavioral treatment delivery system. Network interface
48 allows the computer to connect to various other devices attached
to a network (e.g., network 22 of FIG. 1). Memory 52 provides
volatile storage for computer software instructions 58 and data 60
used to implement methods employed by the system disclosed herein.
Disk storage 54 provides non-volatile storage for computer software
instructions 59 and data 61 used to implement an embodiment of the
present disclosure. Central processor unit 46 is also attached to
system bus 50 and provides for the execution of computer
instructions.
[0087] In one embodiment, the processor routines 58 and data 60 are
a computer program product, including a computer readable medium
(e.g., a removable storage medium such as one or more DVDROM's,
CD-ROM's, diskettes, tapes, etc.) that provides at least a portion
of the software instructions for the system. Computer program
product that combines routines 58 and data 60 may be installed by
any suitable software installation procedure, as is well known in
the art. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the software
instructions may also be downloaded over a cable, communication
and/or wireless connection.
[0088] In some embodiments, a Model-View-Controller design pattern
implements the interactive behavioral treatment delivery system,
assigning objects in the system to one of three roles: model, view,
or controller. The pattern defines not only the roles objects play
in the application, but it also defines the way objects communicate
with each other.
[0089] With reference now to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the
interactive behavioral treatment delivery system generates and
maintains one or more views representing different view types or
view categories. A view is an object in the interactive behavioral
treatment delivery system that a user can see. A view knows how to
render itself and can respond to user actions. The view displays
data from the application's model objects and to enables the
editing of that data. The view objects learn about changes in model
data through view controller objects and communicate user-initiated
changes such as, for example, text entered in a text field, through
controller objects to an interactive behavioral treatment delivery
system's model objects.
[0090] Configuration views 72 are views that provide an interface
to access and/or modify the configuration of the system. In certain
instances, there can be multiple configuration views tailored to
the roles and interests of a particular type of user of the system.
For example, the parameters of interest to a medical practitioner
can be different than those of interest to the patient or patient
assistant using the system. Similarly, in some embodiments, there
can be customized configuration views designed for researchers to
collect and transfer data relevant to one or more research
projects.
[0091] In some embodiments, the interactive behavioral treatment
delivery system includes one or more introductory views 74. These
views can be displayed prior to executing the core system
functionality. Introductory views can include various kinds of
information and serve a variety of purposes such as, for example,
branding, legal and regulatory notification, acceptance of terms
and conditions, welcome messages, and/or tutorials. In certain of
these embodiments, one or more of these introductory views can be
bypassed, while in other instances, the system may force the
display of one or more of these views.
[0092] In certain instances, navigation views 76 can be used for
interactive navigation of views. Navigation views 76 can include,
for example a parent view with embedded navigation controls to
other embedded views, a tab control view enabling direct jumps to
specific views, and/or a stacked navigation view enabling traversal
through a hierarchical stack of views.
[0093] In certain embodiments, instructional views 78 can provide
treatment guidance and information to the patient or patient
assistant. These views can include, for example, static information
such as text and/or multimedia content such as video. This
instructional content can be stored as static information in a
local data store and/or obtained dynamically through methods such
as, for example, embedded displays of videos hosted on remote
computer devices.
[0094] Selection views 80 can provide an interface to collect
decisions and preferences of a patient or patient assistant that
can then be stored and/or used as part of the application logic to,
for example, filter the accessible set of views. Selection views 80
can include, for example, a single level selection view, a
hierarchical set of selection views where the set of selections is
filtered successively based on the selection in the prior view of a
view stack, and/or a filtered selection view where the selections
within the view are filtered dynamically as individual selections
are made.
[0095] In some instances, data collection views 82 prompt for
and/or obtain information from the patient or patient's assistant.
This data can include, for example, information on the patient
condition or patient preferences, information on conditions
external to the patient, and/or survey information. In some of
these embodiments, the view controllers associated with the data
collection views 82 can communicate with peripheral devices such as
blood pressure monitoring devices 15 to obtain patient condition
information.
[0096] With reference now to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, a
sequential series of introductory views 74 are generated. These
views can include, for example, a Title View 90 that includes an
application title and branding, a Copyright View 92 displaying
copyright and/or other legal notices to the user, a Welcome View 98
displaying information explaining consents and waivers, a Consent
View 94 requesting acknowledgement from a user authorizing certain
activities, and a Regulatory View 96 displaying pertinent
regulatory information. In some embodiments, these views are
displayed each time an instance of the application is initiated. In
other embodiments, the viewing and authorization activity of a user
is logged to a persistent data store on the local device or on a
remote device and the introductory views are bypassed upon
subsequent application execution. In certain instances, one or more
tutorial views 106 provide guidance in how to use the
application.
[0097] In some embodiments, a navigation view 76, such as, for
example, a Home View 100, can provide a baseline navigation point
for accessing the various view paths and application functionality
of the behavior treatment deliver system. In some instances, one or
more Configuration Views 72 are accessible from the Home View 100.
A Setup View 102 generated by a Setup View Controller 97, and a
Composer View 104 generated by a Composer View Controller 99 can
provide access to configuration parameters regulating the operation
of the application. In some instances, the Setup View 102 exposes
configuration parameters the patient or patient's assistant
modifies, and the Composer View 104 exposes configuration
parameters a medical practitioner or researcher modifies. Either or
both of these configuration views can be implemented to require
authentication prior to allowing access to the view, modification
of the configuration parameters, and/or executing a save event.
[0098] With reference now to FIG. 6, one example of an interactive
behavioral treatment delivery system is a behavior based birthing
assistance application providing assistance to expectant mothers
and their assistants, partners, or both. The Tab Bar Controller 109
for this example is a container view controller that has one or
more tabs, each represented by a child view controller. When a tab
selection event is detected, the Tab Bar Controller 109 displays
the associated view controller's view on the screen. The view
controller objects provide the infrastructure for managing content
and for coordinating the showing and hiding of content in the
associated views. The view controller objects act as intermediaries
between one or more of the view objects and one or more of the
model objects. The controller objects are a conduit through which
the view objects can learn about changes in the model objects and
vice versa. The controller objects can interpret user actions made
in the view objects and communicate new or changed data to the
model objects. When model objects change, the controller objects
communicate that new model data to the view objects. In some
embodiments, the Tab Bar Controller 109 has tabs associated with
one or more Selection View Controllers 110, 112 that display
Selection Views 80. The Tab Bar Controller 109 can also have tabs
associated with controllers generating and modifying data
collection views 82 and instructional views 78. The Tab Bar
Controller 109 can provide a tab associated with the Home View 100
providing access to a central navigation view 76.
[0099] With reference now to FIG. 7, the behavior based birthing
assistance example includes a series of hierarchical selection
views 80 that provide the system with information to determine one
or more appropriate treatment recommendations. A tab on the Tab Bar
Controller 109 directs the Tab Bar Controller 109 to communicate
with the Challenge Selection View Controller 110, which in turn
displays the Challenge Selection View 111. If a selection is
detected by the Challenge Selection View Controller 110 indicating
the patient is experiencing pain 158, then the Challenge Selection
View Controller 110 directs the Pain Table View Controller 164 to
display the Pain Selection View 150. If no selection is detected
that indicates the patient is experiencing pain 158, then the Pain
Table View Controller 164 is not contacted and the Pain Selection
View 150 is not instantiated. Instead, the Challenge Selection View
Controller 110 directs the Positions For Me View Controller 168 to
display the position selection view 152. The selections in the
Positions For Me View 152 are filtered based on the selection
detected in the Challenge Selection View Controller 110, which is
passed to the Positions For Me View Controller 168. The Positions
For Me View Controller 168 then directs the Actions For Me View
Controller 170 to display the Guidance Selection View 154. The
selections in the Guidance Selection View 154 are filtered based on
the selections detected in the previous selection views, which are
passed to the Actions For Me View Controller 170. In some
embodiments, configuration settings are referenced to determine if,
for example, certain equipment is available to the patient that
might be included in one or more treatment options. The Actions For
Me View Controller 170 can determine if there are partner options
available 160. If there are options available, then the Partner
Action View Controller 172 can be directed to display the Partner
Option Selection View 156. For each view, the Navigation Controller
174 can provide indicia of location in the stack and navigation
controls in order to traverse the set of views. A navigation
controller 174 presents data that is organized hierarchically and
in some embodiments. The methods of this class provide support for
managing a stack-based collection of content view controllers that
generate views such as, for example, the instructional views 78,
the selection views 80, and the data collection views 82. This
stack represents the path taken by the patient or patient assistant
through the hierarchical data, with the bottom of the stack
reflecting the starting point and the top of the stack reflecting
the patient's or patient assistant's current position in the
data.
[0100] In addition to managing child view controllers, a navigation
controller 174 can also manage it's own views. More particularly,
it can manage a navigation bar 908 that displays information about
the patient's or patient assistant's current location in the data
hierarchy, a button for navigating back to previous views 909, and
any custom controls the current view controller needs.
[0101] With reference now to FIG. 8, the behavior based birthing
assistance example includes a series of non-hierarchical views that
combine a selection view 80 with data collection views 82. Although
non-hierarchical, in some embodiments, the logic of the view
controllers may force serial, single-path traversal through the set
of views. A tab on the Tab Bar Control 109 directs the tab
controller to communicate with the Contraction View Controller 112,
which in turn displays the Contractions View 214. If a contraction
started event is detected 204 by the Contraction View Controller
112, the Contraction View Controller 112 can determine the guidance
video flagged for playback 206, update the Contractions View 214
video playback container with the flagged video content or video
stream, and/or initiate the playback of the video 208. If a
contraction ended event is detected 210 by the Contraction View
Controller 112, the Contraction View Controller will direct the
question View Controller 202 to display the Post Contraction Survey
View 216. When the Question View Controller 202 detects a
completion event, the Question View Controller 202 will direct the
Labor Progress View Controller 114 to display the labor progress
view 128. The Labor Progress View 128 will capture data related to
various parameters associated with ongoing labor and can store this
information in a persistent data store 212.
[0102] Referring now to FIG. 9 through FIG. 13, the title view
controller displays the Title View 90. In some embodiments, the
Title View 90 is maintained for a fixed period of time based on a
timer object instantiated by the title view controller. Upon
expiration of the timer, the title view controller directs the
copyright view controller to display the Copyright View 92. The
Copyright View can contain, for example, copyright or other
proprietary notice information. In some embodiment, the Copyright
View 92 is also maintained for a fixed period of time based on a
timer object instantiated by the copyright view controller. Upon
expiration of the timer, the copyright view controller directs the
welcome view controller to display the Welcome View 98. The Welcome
View 98 can contain information explaining waiver or consent views.
The Welcome View 98 in this example includes a Continue button 305
that sends a button press event to the welcome view controller. In
some embodiments, detection of a button press event is necessary to
proceed past one or more introductory views. When the welcome view
controller detects the button press event, it directs the consent
view controller to display the Consent View 94.
[0103] The Consent View 94 can contain information indicating that
the user consents to certain terms when pressing the Continue
button or using the application, for example. In this example, the
Consent View 94 includes a Continue button 306 that sends a button
press event to the consent view controller. In some embodiments,
detection of a button press event is necessary to proceed. When the
consent view controller detects the button press event, it directs
the regulatory view controller to display the Regulatory View 96.
The Regulatory View 96 can contain regulatory information relevant
to treatment delivery, such as that required by the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. In this
example, the Regulatory View 96 includes a Continue button 310. In
some embodiments, detection of a button press event is necessary to
proceed. In some embodiments, the Continue button 310 sends a
button press event to the regulatory view controller. In some
embodiments, when the regulatory view controller detects the button
press event, it directs a tutorial view controller to display the
first tutorial view in the Tutorial View Sequence 106. In another
embodiment, control is passed to the home view controller.
[0104] With reference now to FIG. 14 through FIG. 21, one or more
tutorial view controllers can display one or more tutorial views.
In the behavior based birthing assistance example, eight tutorial
views in the Tutorial View Sequence 106 can be displayed each time
the application is executed, upon detection of a Tutorial button
press event 606 in the Home View 100, or both. The tutorial views
can include content such as, for example, a description of how to
use of the application, screenshots of one or more features of the
application, and/or description of how to use particular features.
The last view in the Tutorial View Sequence 106 can include a Get
Started button 430 directing the tutorial view controller to direct
the home view controller to display the Home View 100. In some
embodiments, a video tutorial and/or a help function can provide
general and/or feature-specific assistance.
[0105] In some embodiments, a main view can serve as a relatively
centralized navigation point within the application. With reference
now to FIG. 22, a Home View 100 provides access to various paths
and features of the behavior based birthing assistance embodiment.
This view includes three buttons that allow access to view paths
and features not available on the Tab Bar Control 608, including,
for example, a Setup button 602, a Research Page button 604, and a
Tutorial button 606. The Home view can be accessed when the Tab
Control 608 is displayed through the detection of a Home Tab 607
selection event. The tabs on the Tab Bar Control 608 can appear
concurrently with every application view.
[0106] In certain embodiments, the application can prompt for and
collect information about the patient condition, patient
preferences, external conditions, and/or available resources. With
reference now to FIG. 23, a Setup View Controller 97 displays a
Setup View 102. UI slider controls 526, 528, 530 can record
medically measurable areas of labor progress such as, for example,
station, dilation, and effacement. Amenities and resources
available during labor, such as, for example, a birth ball, massage
tools, shower, bathtub, and heat and cold packs are indicated by
the position of on/off slider controls 508, 510, 512, 514, 516.
Special conditions such as, for example, fetal monitors, epidural
usage, or confinement that may be used by one or more features of
the application are also indicated by on/off slider controls 518,
520, 522. Preferences for the activation or deactivation of timed
reminders, such as, for example, hydration notifications and change
position notifications are also indicated by the position of on/off
slider controls 504, 506. Referring briefly to FIG. 24, a modal
hydration message 818 is displayed consistent with the value set by
the position of the Drinking reminder on/off slider switch 504 that
can be dismissed upon detection of an OK button press event
820.
[0107] Detection by the Setup View Controller 97 of a Save and
Continue button press event can initiate the storage of one or more
of the various selection values of the Setup View 102 in volatile
memory, a persistent data store, and/or a log file. The application
behaviors and paths may be tailored by the application logic based
on one or more of the selection values by, for example, filtering
out certain coping strategy options that are irrelevant or lack
benefit. In some embodiments, labor progress values are used to
generate labor diagrams, filter different suggestions, and
strategies based on the stage of labor, or both.
[0108] Referring now to FIG. 25, in some embodiments, when the home
view controller detects a Researcher Page button press event 604, a
modal authentication dialog 610 is displayed requiring submission
of valid authentication credentials such as, for example, a
password. The home view controller determines if the submitted
password is valid and conditionally communicates with the Composer
View Controller 99. With reference now to FIG. 26, the Composer
View Controller 99 displays the Composer View 104 providing access
to controls for setting additional configuration parameters. These
controls include, for example, an (i) an edit box setting the time
intervals for reminder pop-ups 708, 710; (ii) an edit box setting
the contraction intervals in which the user is asked to update
their labor progress 714; (iii) an on/off slider switch controlling
whether questions are displayed following each contraction 706;
and/or iv) an edit box setting a timer for placing the application
in an inactive state 712. Parameter values are saved when a Save
button press event 718 is detected, or abandoned if a Back (Don't
Save) button press event is detected 716.
[0109] In some embodiments, application data can be exported and/or
communicated to other computing devices. In this example, the
Composer View 104 includes a Send button 704. The detection of a
Send button press event 704 can generate a message containing
information relating to the execution of the application on the
device. In some instances, an email can be generated that includes,
for example, a session log containing information on data obtained
during one or more sessions and/or a navigation log detailing the
navigations paths executed over a period of time. With reference
now to FIG. 27, an editable email form 802 can be displayed that
includes a pre-populated email address 804 and one or more data
files 806, 808. In other embodiments, the email is sent
automatically without displaying a form.
[0110] With reference to FIG. 28, the comma-separated values file
806 can contain structured data 810 obtained during one or more
application sessions. This data can include, for example, data
relating to contraction events such as time of contractions, the
video played during each contraction, the perceived level of pain,
the perceived level of control, and/or the perceived level of
partner support 812. With reference now to FIG. 29 and FIG. 30, a
data file 808 can contain ordered data that logs configuration
parameter values 814, navigation paths 816, and/or data obtained
during one or more sessions 817.
[0111] With reference now to FIG. 31, the Challenge Selection View
Controller 110 (not shown in FIG. 31) displays the Challenge
Selection View 111 in response to a Select Challenge tab press
event 906 on the Tab Control Bar 608. The Challenge Selection View
111 displays common labor challenges that a patient may experience
such as, for example, fear/stress/panic, exhaustion, the baby being
in a undesired position, pain, labor progressing too quickly,
and/or labor not progressing. One or more selection items, such as
the Pain selection item 904, can be associated with additional
views.
[0112] In some embodiments, selection items appearing in various
levels of hierarchical dependent views can be retrieved dynamically
from a property list file. Referring now to FIG. 32 and FIG. 33, a
property list editor displays the contents of the property list
file used to populate the Challenge Selection View 111, the Pain
Selection View 150, the Position Selection View 152, the Guidance
Selection View 154, and the Partner Option Selection View 156. The
hierarchical dependency of the selections as represented in the
property list file and/or filtering logic relating to the values of
configuration parameters can determine the set of selections
displayed in the various views.
[0113] For example, in the behavior based birthing assistance
embodiment, a patient or patient's assistant may select the Pain
selection item 904 in the Challenge Selection View 111. This
selection is passed to the Pain Table View Controller 164 by the
Challenge Selection View Controller 110. The Pain Selection View
Controller 164 displays the Pain Selection View 150.
[0114] With reference now to FIG. 34, the Pain Selection View 150
can be displayed in conjunction with a Navigation Bar 908 that
includes a Navigation Button 909. The Tab Bar Control 608 can be
displayed as well with the Select Challenge tab item 906
highlighted, indicating that the present view is within the
hierarchy of views associated with the Challenge Selection View
111. The Pain Table View Controller 164 detects a selection event
and passes the selection to the Position For Me View Controller
168. The Position For Me View Controller 168 then uses the
selection to determine the appropriate set of selection items from
the property list file to display in the Position Selection View
152. The patient or patient's assistant may then select a general
position they feel may be the most comfortable or convenient for
them at that time, such as, for example, sitting, standing, laying,
kneeling, or squatting.
[0115] With reference now to FIG. 35 and FIG. 36, one of the
selection items in the Position Selection View 152 is the Kneel
selection item 910. When the Position For Me View Controller 168
detects the Kneel selection event, it passes that selection to the
Actions For Me View Controller 170. Based on the Kneel selection
item, previous selections in the view hierarchy, and/or
configuration parameters, the Actions For Me View Controller 170
will determine a set of specific labor options for display in the
Guidance Selection View 154. In some embodiments, this Guidance
Selection View 154 will include images 917 that may act as
thumbnails for associated guidance videos. The Actions For Me View
Controller 170 will detect the occurrence of a selection event in
the Guidance Selection View 154 and pass the selection to the
Partner Actions View Controller 172. With reference now to FIG. 37,
the Partner Actions View Controller 172 determines a set of
available guidance selections based on previous selections in the
view hierarchy and/or configuration parameters. If more than one
partner option exists, the Partner Option Selection View 156 is
displayed with the set of selection items. If no partner option
exists in the selection set, or if only one partner option exists,
the Partner Option Selection View 156 is not displayed
[0116] Referring now to FIG. 38, in some embodiments, the Partner
Actions View Controller 172 or the Actions For Me View Controller
170 detects a selection event and passes the selection value to the
Play Video View Controller 116. The Play Video View Controller 116
determines the associated multimedia content and loads the
multimedia playback container in the Video Playback View 130 with,
for example, video content. In this example from the behavior based
birthing assistance embodiment, the patient or patient's assistant
made the following selections in the hierarchical views: (a) laying
down position; (b) side-lying lunge; and (c) for her partner to use
supportive words. The selected video 1002 is loaded into the
multimedia playback container, and video playback is initiated when
the Play Movie button event is detected 1004 by the Play Video View
Controller 116. In some embodiments, a Full Screen on/off control
toggle switch 1006 sets a value used by the Play Video View
Controller 116 to determine the playback mode. A Use For Next
Contraction button 1010 may be displayed flagging the current video
for playback upon the next load of the Contractions View 214. A
Back to Select Challenge button 1008 may be displayed that allows
for jump navigation back to the Challenge SelectionView 111 where
the challenge selection process of FIG. 7 can reinitiate. The
currently flagged video can be previewed anytime the Video Preview
tab 1009 is displayed on the Tab Bar Control 608.
[0117] The behavior based birthing assistance embodiment can guide
the patient or patient assistant through a labor contraction, and
capture data related to the particular labor event. With reference
to FIG. 39, the Contraction View 214 is displayed when a
Contractions tab event 1106 on the Tab Bar control 608 is detected
by the Tab Bar Controller 109. With the onset of a contraction, a
patient or patient's assistant can press the Contractions Started
button 1104.
[0118] Referring now to FIG. 40, when the Contraction View
Controller 110 detects a Contractions Started button event 1104,
the Contraction View 214 is updated with the video selection queued
for playback 1112. If no video has been queued for playback, a
default video plays such as, for example, a deep breathing video.
The video will play showing the patient and/or the patient's
assistant how to overcome the selected challenge. A timer can be
displayed that dynamically displays elapsed time since the
Contractions Started button event 1104. In some embodiments, a Full
Screen on/off control toggle switch 1118 sets a value used by the
Contraction View Controller 110 to determine the playback mode.
When the contraction has concluded, the patient or patient's
assistant can press the Contraction End button 1116.
[0119] Upon detection of the Contraction End button event 1116 by
the Contraction View Controller 110, the Contraction View
Controller 110 directs the Question View Controller 202 to display
the Post Contraction Survey View 216. With reference now to FIG.
41, in some embodiments, one or more questions may be displayed
along with the appropriate controls for obtaining a response based
on the Questions for Comfort and Control configuration parameter
706. In certain instances, the questions and associated response
controls relate to the patient's comfort 1122, control 1124, and
partner support 1126. Control can be returned to the Home View 100
upon detection of a Done button press event 1128. In some
embodiments, the values set by these controls may be incorporated
into the application code logic for determining selection items and
challenge strategies.
[0120] The behavior based birthing assistance embodiment can
capture data related to progress towards and throughout labor by
the patient or patient's assistant. Referring now to FIG. 42, the
Labor Progress View 128 is displayed when a Labor Progress tab
event on the Tab Bar control 608 is detected by the Tab Bar
Controller 109. In some embodiments, the Labor Progress View 128
can visually depict progress toward labor in one or more medical
domains such as, for example, dilation, effacement, and/or station.
Dynamic anatomically-correct graphical visualizations 1204, 1208,
1212 and associated stepper controls 1206, 1210, 1214 can be used
such as, for example, a growing red bar or circle highlighting the
progress in each of the medical domains. When a Save button event
1216 is detected, the Labor Progress View Controller can store the
labor progress data values in volatile memory, in a persistent data
store, and or in a log file. When an entire line or circle has
turned red, it can serve as an indication that it is time to
deliver the baby. The Labor Progress View 128 is accessible anytime
the Labor Progress tab is visible on the Tab Bar control 608. The
patient or patient's assistant may receive notifications to update
labor progress after a predetermined number of contractions
according to the Update Labor Pregnancy configuration parameter 714
set in the Composer View 104. In some embodiments, the labor
progress data values can be updated remotely.
[0121] In some embodiments, one or more instructional page views
can display static instructional content. Referring now to FIG. 43,
a Supporting Words View 132 is displayed when the Supportive Words
tab event 1304 on the Tab Bar control 608 is detected by the Tab
Bar Controller 109. The Supporting Words View 132 can suggest
statements a patient's partner may say that, for example, help
motivate and support the laboring woman, along with explanations of
when to use them.
[0122] Referring now to FIG. 44, an Affirmations View 134 is
displayed when the Affirmations tab event 1404 on the Tab Bar
control 608 is detected by the Tab Bar Controller 109. The
Affirmations View 134 can suggest short quotations for the laboring
woman to say that, for example, help motivate and remind her that
her body can give birth.
[0123] In addition to static content, in certain instances, one or
more instructional page views can display dynamic multimedia
instructional content. With reference to FIG. 45, a Breathing View
136 is displayed when a child selection of the More tab 1508 on the
Tab Bar control 608 associated with the Breathing View Controller
122 is triggered. The Breathing View 136 can include Buttons 1506
to load and playback videos of deep breathing of differing-length
breaths such as, for example, four seconds, six seconds, and eight
seconds. In some embodiments, one of the breathing video is used as
the default video for the contraction timer until another video is
queued resulting from the detection of a Use For Next Contraction
button event 1010 in the Play Video View 130.
[0124] Referring now to FIG. 46, a Rhythmic Movement View 138 is
displayed when a child selection of the More tab 1508 on the Tab
Bar control 608 associated with the Rhythmic Movement View 138 is
triggered. The Rhythmic Movement View 138 can include images acting
as thumbnails previews of videos 1608. Buttons 1606 can load and
playback videos of various rhythmic movements such as, for example,
pelvic rocking, swaying on a birth ball, stand and sway, standing
lunge, and/or silting on birth ball with partner rocking birth
ball.
[0125] Referring now to FIG. 47, a Massage View 140 is displayed
when a child selection of the More tab 1508 on the Tab Bar control
608 associated with the Massage View 140 is triggered. The Massage
View 140 can include images acting as thumbnails previews of videos
1704. Buttons 1706 can load and playback videos of various massage
treatments such as, for example, hand massage, foot massage,
shoulder massage, and light touch.
[0126] In light of the exemplary embodiment and multiple additions
and variations described above, the scope of the present invention
shall be determined by the following claims:
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