DIGITAL INSPIROMETER SYSTEM

The present invention provides, in at least one embodiment, a system, device, and method for better instructions, feedback, and capture of inspirometer data. Inspirometers are typically not used correctly, so the device provides video, picture, and/or text instructions to users on how to use the inspirometer. Since many users do not inhale at the correct slow flow rate, the device has indicators telling the user whether his or her inhalation flow rate is too fast or too slow. Since many users do not use the inspirometer at all, the device captures electronic data including the total volume inhaled, flow rate data which indicates whether the user used the inspirometer correctly, and time stamps which indicate whether the users used the inspirometer regularly or at all. The device can also include spirometer features to capture exhaled breath data as well as inhaled breath data.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanyingFIGS. 1-4, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. Although the device is illustrated as a monitor-like configuration, the device can include other forms (e.g., an App on a mobile phone). Although this invention has novel aspects with the inspirometer features alone, a dual inspirometer and spirometer embodiment adds further value.

The present invention provides, in at least one embodiment, a system, device, and method which provides an electronic display for better instructions to users on how to use the device, indicators which provide immediate feedback on whether the user is using the device correctly, and electronic connections and circuitry giving the device the ability to receive and send the captured data electronically. The captured data indicates whether the user is using the device correctly (e.g., slow flow rate) or at all (e.g., through time stamps).

FIG. 1illustrates a digital inspirometer system100according to an embodiment of the invention. The system100comprises a network105having a database110and a server115, a device120, connectors130and135, and an inspirometer140having an electronic output145. The system100provides user instructions, provides immediate user feedback, and captures data electronically.

The network105(e.g., the Internet) stores and communicates the data captured by the device120. The network105can include one or more databases110to collect and organize the data in digital form and the servers115to respond to requests across the network105. The network105can be a collection of computers and other hardware components interconnected by communications channels that allow sharing of resources and information.

The device120conveys visual information to the user including instructions, immediate feedback on technique and results, and captures electronic data. For example, the variables may include volume, flow rate, date and time of actual use, alarm time for when the user should use the inspirometer, temperature of air, alcohol content, acetone (which is an indicator of Betaketoacidosis which is often associated with Diabetics not taking their insulin), ketones on breath (meaning the patient is not taking insulin), carbon dioxide (CO2), etc. The device120is discussed further with respect toFIG. 2.

The connectors130and135provide an electronic connection between the device120and the inspirometer140. The connectors130and135are electro-mechanical devices to join electrical circuits. The connection is intended to be temporary and detachably coupled for portable equipment, but could also be permanent such as electrical wiring.

The inspirometer140(e.g., digital inspirometer, dual inspirometer/spirometer, etc.) measures inspiration variables and outputs them to the electronic device120. The inspirometer140can also include hardware and software such that it also captures spirometer data. The inspirometer140is discussed further with respect toFIG. 3. The electronic output145is configured to detachably couple to the connector135and send data from the inspirometer140to the device120.

FIG. 2illustrates the device120of the system100according to an embodiment of the invention. The device120comprises a display210, a database220, one or more indicators230, a warning indicator240, an alarm indicator250, audio260, and input/output connectors270.

The device120provides better instructions and immediate capturing of electronic data. The device120conveys inspirometer instructions much better than conventional methods. The device120comprises hardware and software. The hardware can comprise a processor and memory, and a graphics card.

In one embodiment, the device120has a form factor similar to an MP-3player. In another embodiment, the device120is a privacy secured mobile phone application (e.g., iPhone App, BlackBerry App). Currently, only BlackBerry applications are Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) qualified. It is important that private medical data is communicated securely.

The display210(e.g., screen, electronic display, etc.) is configured to display instructions and captured electronic data. The instructions can be pictures or videos and can be in color. The pictures can include flow charts, sample users pictures, etc. The videos can be animations, cartoons, instructional videos, etc. The device120addresses a key problem with inspirometers, which is a misunderstanding of how to use them.

The display210illustrates the following captured data: time, volume, and flow rate. In addition, the display210may capture the number of breaths, the amount of time the breath is held after inspiration and before exhalation (also known as the pause). By capturing this data, a medical professional can see if the user is using the inspirometer at all or regularly and can check if the volume data and the flow rate data are acceptable. In a conventional inspirometer, this data is not immediately available to the user or the medical professional. As illustrated, the user may go several months without using the inspirometer140, and as illustrated in the last measurement, may inhale way too fast.

The database220provides memory storage on the device120. The device120can store captured data in the database220until it is provided to a medical professional. The database220also has instructional videos built in. The instructions can be cartoons designed for kids, textual instructions designed for adults, etc.

The indicators230visually indicate to the user whether the flow rate is too fast, too slow, or correct. For example, light emitting diodes (LEDs) can light up corresponding to the flow rate, where an acceptable flow rate is shown in green, and an unacceptable flow rate is shown in red. In another embodiment, the indicators230correspond with the flow rate, with text above the indicators230showing whether the flow rate is correct. In addition to flow rate, the indicators230can pick up on the number of breathes done correctly, the number which are too weak, and the number which are too fast, and the ratio of the number of breathes attempted to the number of breathes completed correctly.

The indicators230provide immediate feedback on whether the inspirometer140is being used correctly. Often the user will inhale too quickly, when they should inhale slow and steady. Slow controlled inspirations to get the lungs to fill with air to break up the fluid that gets trapped in the distal areas of the lungs which is where an infection may initially grow.

The warning indicator240informs the user that the flow rate is not correct. The alarm indicator250informs the user that it is time to use the inspirometer140. In the illustrated embodiment, the alarm is set multiple times a day.

The audio260provides sound for the indicators, alarm, and/or instructions. The audio, along with the display210, help better convey instructions and provide immediate feedback to the user. The input/output connectors270(e.g., input, output, etc.) are capable of connecting to the inspirometer140, a computer, a mobile device, peripheral electronics, and wirelessly to the network105.

FIG. 3illustrates the inspirometer140of the system100according to an embodiment of the invention. The inspirometer140comprises the electronic output145, an inlet350, sensors355, and a handle360. The inspirometer140can be just an inspirometer. However, in a preferred embodiment, the inspirometer140contains the dual features of both an inspirometer and spirometer.

The inspirometer140records if the user is using the device120for inspiratory breathing, and how well they are using the device120during the inspiratory breathing. Conversely, the spirometer measures the exhalation. This exhalation function can be added in software and/or hardware. The user could press one button for the inspirometer function, which may be the primary function of the inspirometer140, and another button to treat the inspirometer140like a peak flow meter spirometer.

The inlet350is configured to receive air exhaled from a user or transfer air inhaled by the user. The inlet350can be a mouthpiece, a tube, or other apparatus, the design of which is known by those with skill in the art.

The sensors355can be unidirectional sensors for the embodiment where the inspirometer140is just an inspirometer. However, for the embodiment where the inspirometer140is a dual inspirometer and spirometer, the sensors355are bidirectional (e.g., a bidirectional fan, a thermistor, etc.). The sensors355measure variables related to the user's inhalation or exhalation.

The handle360provides the user with a grip to hold the inspirometer140. The handle can have grips or be shaped such that the user can easily grab the handle and hold. For example, the handle360can be shape like the handle of a gun.

FIG. 4illustrates the process of instructing a user and capturing electronic data according to an embodiment of the invention. The process starts at step400. At step410, the device120provides instructions to a user. These instructions can be conveyed better than conventional methods through videos, pictures, and/or text. At step420, the user inhales air through the inspirometer140. In the dual inspirometer and spirometer embodiment, the user can inhale or exhale air. The inspirometer140captures electronic data from the air at step430. This electronic data can include, for example, volume, flow rate, date, time, an alarm time indicating a time to use, etc. At step440, the device120stores the electronic data in the database220and/or on the network105. The process may be repeated recursively a number of times and ends at step450.

It is to be recognized that depending on the embodiment, certain acts or events of any of the methods described herein can be performed in a different sequence, may be added, merged, or left out altogether (for example, not all described acts or events are necessary for the practice of the method). Moreover, in certain embodiments, acts or events may be performed concurrently, for example, through multi-threaded processing, interrupt processing, or multiple processors, rather than sequentially.

The inspirometer140can perform many tests including lung function tests. Lung function tests (also called a pulmonary function tests, or PFTs) check how well the user's lungs work. The tests determine how much air the user's lungs can hold, how quickly the user can move air in and out of the user's lungs, and how well the user's lungs put oxygen into and remove carbon dioxide from the user's blood. The tests can diagnose lung diseases, measure the severity of lung problems, and check to see how well treatment for a lung disease is working.

Other tests to determine lung function include tests on residual volume, gas diffusion tests, body plethysmography, inhalation challenge tests, and exercise stress tests. Spirometry is the first and most commonly done lung function test. It measures how much and how quickly you can move air out of your lungs. For this test, the user breathes into a mouthpiece attached to a recording device (spirometer). The information is collected by the spirometer may be printed out on a chart called a spirogram.

The inspirometer140can measure many different type of parameters, including forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume, forced expiratory flow 25% to 75%, peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximum voluntary ventilation, slow vital capacity, total lung capacity, functional residual capacity, residual volume, and expiratory reserve volume.

Forced vital capacity (FVC) measures the amount of air a user can exhale with force after the user inhales as deeply as possible. Forced expiratory volume (FEV) measures the amount of air the user can exhale with force in one breath. The amount of air the user exhales may be measured at 1 second (FEV1), 2 seconds (FEV2), or 3 seconds (FEV3). FEV1 divided by FVC can also be determined. Forced expiratory flow 25% to 75% measures the air flow halfway through an exhale. Peak expiratory flow (PEF) measures how quickly the user can exhale. It is usually measured at the same time as the user's forced vital capacity (FVC). Maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) measures the greatest amount of air the user can breathe in and out during one minute. Slow vital capacity (SVC) measures the amount of air the user can slowly exhale after the user inhales as deeply as possible.

Total lung capacity (TLC) measures the amount of air in your lungs after the user inhales as deeply as possible. Functional residual capacity (FRC) measures the amount of air in the user's lungs at the end of a normal exhaled breath. Residual volume (RV) measures the amount of air in the user's lungs after the user has exhaled completely. It can be done by breathing in helium or nitrogen gas and seeing how much is exhaled. Expiratory reserve volume (ERV) measures the difference between the amount of air in your lungs after a normal exhale (FRC) and the amount after you exhale with force (RV).