Abstract:
An indirect calorimetry system includes transducers sensitive to expired airflow that are enclosed within a calorimeter housing, and a microprocessor in communication with the transducers for calculating expiration characteristics. A graphical display displays the expiration characteristics. A communication link transmits expiration characteristics to external devices such as a computer, communication network, or PDA.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/236,829 filed Sep. 29, 2000, and is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to medical equipment, in particular for the diagnosis of respiratory problems. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Asthma and respiratory diseases are becoming widespread health problems. Various causes have been speculated, such as indoor and outdoor air pollution. Diesel-powered vehicles are known to produce particulates harmful to the lungs. Modern houses are usually well sealed and insulated, and in consequence may have high levels of indoor air pollution due to vapors such as formaldehyde exuding from carpets. 
     Asthma diagnosis is often achieved by measuring one or more respiratory parameters, for example, peak flow and forced exhaled volume in one second (FEV1). Diagnosis may be achieved using the variety of instruments known in the art. For example, peak flow is often measured using mechanical devices. However, existing devices may not provide the combination of flow profile data and breath parameters necessary for improved diagnosis. The volume and flow rate of inhaled or exhaled breath may be monitored using a respiratory spirometer. For spirometry, it is useful to monitor the total oxygen consumption of the patient. 
     Respiratory analysis can be used to diagnose lung disease, lung cancer, and other airway diseases. The presence of nitric oxide in the breath of a person is often of diagnostic significance. Several volatile organic compounds have been correlated with lung cancer. Bacterial infection of the lungs may be detected using antibody response to pathogens in exhaled breath. Thus, there exists a diagnostic need for a calorimetry system capable of readily measuring respiratory characteristics and components. 
     Resting metabolic rate is an important factor in the calorie balance of a person. A person&#39;s total energy expenditure (TEE) is equal to the sum of resting energy expenditure (REE) and activity-related energy expenditure (AEE), i.e.: 
     
       
         
           TEE=REE+AEE  
         
       
     
     The calorie balance for a person is the difference between the total energy expenditure and caloric intake. As part of a weight control program, a person might record caloric intake, and estimate or determine activity levels using accelerometers, pedometers, and the like. However, unless the person has accurate knowledge of REE, weight loss predictions are not possible. REE is a larger component of TEE than AEE, so that an accurate knowledge of REE is essential in calculating calorie balance. One problem in a weight control program is that REE usually falls during a diet, due to the body&#39;s natural response to perceived starvation. Hence, even significantly reducing calorie intake may not be enough to lose weight. 
     Obesity is a huge problem, particularly in the developed world. Many medical problems are correlated with obesity, e.g. heart problems, joint problems, etc. Hence, it is useful to a physician to assist a patient with a weight control program using an indirect calorimeter to determine metabolic rate. The current medical system often does not emphasize disease prevention; however, this may change in the near future. A physician may therefore wish to play a greater role in disease prevention, in which case professional assistance with weight control becomes important. 
     There are formulas in the literature (e.g. the Harris-Benedict equation) which allow calculation of metabolic rate from height and weight. If metabolic rate is significantly higher or lower than a normal range, based on such a formula, this can be diagnostic of a range of metabolism-based problems. Hence, there exists a need for a physician to measure metabolic rate of a person, as part of a diagnostic test for medical problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An indirect calorimetry system includes a plurality of transducers sensitive to expired airflow from a subject&#39;s lungs. A calorimetry housing encloses the plurality of transducers. The transducers&#39; output is communicated to a microprocessor that calculates expiration characteristics and conveys those characteristics to a graphical display. In another embodiment, an indirect calorimetry system includes a plurality of transducers sensitive to expired airflow and a housing enclosing the transducers. A microprocessor in communication with the transducers calculates expiration characteristics and those characteristics are communicated by way of a communication link to devices such as a computer, a communication network such as the Internet or to a PDA. 
     A process for monitoring physiological gas exchange associated with respiration includes the active expiring into an indirect calorimeter for a period of time and then measuring the expiration flow with a plurality of transducers. The measurement of expiration flow is then time stamped and displayed as a function of the period of time. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an indirect calorimeter operative as a component of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention adapted for display of a breath flow profile; 
     FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating an exemplary breath flow profile as a function of time; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic of an alternative embodiment of the present invention including a computer; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of another alternative embodiment of the present invention including a PDA interface; and 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic of still another alternative embodiment of the present invention including a feeding device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has utility in medical monitoring. Through monitoring of physiological gas exchange associated with respiration, the present invention affords information and/or feedback control useful in situations illustratively including pulmonary disease and condition diagnosis, weight loss and life support. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates part of a handheld indirect calorimeter described in PCT Application PCT/US99/02448. The indirect calorimeter, shown generally at  10 , has a mouthpiece  12 , and corresponding air vent  32  to a source/sink of respiratory gases, such as the atmosphere. Exhaled air passes through mouthpiece  12 , along path A and into concentric chamber  16 . Concentric chamber  16  forms a coaxial chamber around flow tube  30 , and a lower region such as  14  may be used as a spit trap. This arrangement will be referred to as a coaxial flow path. Respired air passes along paths such as B into the flow column  28 , formed largely by flow tube  30 . Exhaled air then passes into the source/sink of respiratory gases through air vent  32 . Inhaled air passes through the device in the reverse direction, entering through air vent  32 . A pair of ultrasonic transducers  18  and  20  are used to determine flow direction and volume, as described in a co-pending utility application claiming priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/228,388. Preferably, the flow path is through a disposable portion of the indirect calorimeter. It is appreciated other devices conventional to the art are operative herein to monitor the composition of expired air. Additionally, disposable portions of a device for receiving expired air are appreciated to optionally provide an added level of device hygiene as detailed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/179,906. 
     The transit time of ultrasonic pulses between the two ultrasonic transducers  18  and  20  is determined at intervals. The difference in transit times is related to the flow rate through the indirect calorimeter with flow rate determined throughout a breath. While the flow rates are optionally integrated to yield flow volume, for pulmonary diagnosis, it is often useful to obtain a flow curve of flow rate as a function of time over a breath. The system of the present invention through variable data processing and display formats is operative in a variety of medical settings. 
     An indirect calorimeter is optionally equipped with a display for illustrating the flow profile of a breath. FIG. 2 is a schematic of an indirect calorimeter system adapted to display a breath flow profile. Ultrasonic control circuitry  40  is used to control the two ultrasonic transducers  18  and  20  of an indirect calorimeter  10 . Flow rates are determined from the difference between the transit times for an ultrasonic pulse to be transmitted from transducer  18  and detected by transducer  20 , and the transit time in the reverse direction. Transit times are optionally determined in multiples of a period of a clock  42 . A microprocessor  44  receives flow value data from control circuit  40  over the period of breaths. The beginning and end of a breath is found by changes in flow direction, or periods of low flow level. The flow profile over the breath is determined by the microprocessor, and displayed on a graphical display  48 . Oxygen partial pressure values from an oxygen (O 2 ) sensor also optionally are determined and used together with integrated flow date to determine oxygen consumption. The metabolic rate determined from the oxygen consumption data preferably is presented on a numeric display  46 . 
     In operation, the flow profile for a subject is measured over a number of breaths, with the device averaging a number of satisfactory breaths. A satisfactory breath is one which meets certain parameter conditions, illustratively including well-defined start, total length, total volume, and lack of periods of reverse flow. Either from a single breath, or an average of several breaths, the device calculates respiratory parameters as described herein. It is appreciated that a subject includes not only a human, but also other air breathing creatures including pets and livestock. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a possible breath flow profile. Such a flow profile may be compared with standard flow profiles stored in memory. The present invention may contain circuitry or software for analyzing a collected flow profile, or diagnosing problems such as airway blockage. A flow profile may be stored in a memory or database, optionally along with a time stamp. The breath parameters history may be plotted over time for a subject. 
     The present invention optionally has a log-in procedure for different subjects, so that collected data is uniquely identified with a given subject. Data generated by the present invention is preferably stored on a memory medium such as a memory card, which then can be reviewed by a physician or technician or transferred to a computer, PDA, or other suitable electronic device. 
     The memory medium, or its contents, can be added to the subject&#39;s medical log. A healthcare provider may dictate notes regarding tests stored with respiratory data, and the present invention may prompt for other patient data to be entered to accompany the stored respiratory data. The additional data may include subject identity, symptoms and the like. 
     A nitric oxide detector optionally is combined with the instant invention. The flow rate is monitored as a function of time, and the data transferred to a PDA via a wireless transfer (e.g. Bluetooth), IR, cables, or transfer of a memory medium. The flow rate for a single breath, or a number of averaged breaths, may then be plotted and analyzed on the PDA. Alternatively, the instant invention may be provided with a display for respiratory flow/volume graphing versus time, and with data analysis functionality, such as preloaded software, for determining parameters such as peak flow from the collected data. 
     The peak flow rate, the forced vital capacity (FVC), and the forced expiratory volume in the first second interval (FEV1) may be derived from the collected data, along with other parameters known in the art. The flow profile, also known as the time-dependent flow rate over the course of an exhalation or inhalation, may be combined with these parameters. The data may be transferred from the indirect calorimeter, PDA, or a combined device comprising the functionality of both, to a remote computer system using a communications network connection such as a wireless Internet connection. A health professional may view the collected data by methods such as an Internet connection, and thereby provide a guide, for instance in terms of administration of medication or behavior modification. This scheme is useful for diagnosing asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, allergies, cancers and the like. 
     The instant invention also is operative as an incentive spirometer. An indirect calorimeter, or a device in communication with it, may provide audio, visual, or tactile feedback to encourage greater oxygen consumption, more regular breathing, longer breaths, or other desirable respiratory parameters. Through behavior modification, the need for pharmaceutical or invasive intervention may be lessened. 
     FIG. 4 shows an indirect calorimeter system including a calorimeter  60  in communication with a desktop PC  70  having a display  72  and keyboard  74 . In use, a person may log onto the computer using keyboard  74 , pick up the calorimeter  60  attached by a cable  62  to the computer  70 , and breathe therethrough. Optionally, a mouthpiece  64  and nose clip  66  are used, alternatively a mask may be connected to the calorimeter  60 . Preferably, a disposable mask or mouthpiece are used. Data is transferred to the computer  70 . The display  72  may be used to show breath profiles (such as  76 ), metabolic rate and relaxation status. For resting metabolic rate determination, it is necessary that the person is relaxed while breathing through the calorimeter  60 . Biofeedback mechanisms may be provided to show the successful achievement of a relaxed state, perhaps using a predictive algorithm to predict which relation has occurred. A subject&#39;s metabolism over time is thus monitored, and any decreases in metabolism could be compensated for by additional exercise. The measured resting metabolism may be compared with the Harris-Benedict equation. Strong deviations from the expected value may be diagnostic of metabolic disorders. The computer  70  may be connected to a communications network (not shown) allowing the user of the system and other authorized persons to access data files. 
     In addition to logging onto the system of FIG. 4 using the keyboard, a user alternatively may carry a key ring like device which transmits identification to the system. An interface module may be used between the calorimeter  60  and the PC  70  which contains data analysis and transmission circuitry. 
     A calorimeter as described herein optionally is formed of two parts, a disposable part and non-disposable part. Preferably, the flow path of respired gases from a person passes entirely through the disposable part. A unique identifying mechanism can be used so that only authorized disposable parts may be used in the calorimeter. Alternatively, the person may be requested to provide their own disposable part which they would then be supplied with either through a subscription process or through direct sale. 
     In the specification, the term “data transfer” refers to transfer of data from one device system, communication network, memory location, etc. to another device, network, etc. This may use any convenient method, e.g. transfer of a memory medium, e.g., a memory card or disk, a cable connection, IR, optical, wireless (such as the Bluetooth protocol) or other electrical or electromagnetic methods. 
     FIG. 5 shows an embodiment with a calorimeter  92  in communication with PDA  94 . The PDA optionally is linked to a communications network  90 . PC  96  may also be in communication with the network  90 . Data collected using the calorimeter  92  and PDA  94  may be stored in database  98 . Alternatively, a healthcare professional may use a PDA to record medical notes on a subject, in addition to data received from the calorimeter  92 . 
     The present invention in another embodiment is used with a patient ventilator system. The oxygen consumption as measured by the calorimeter is used to determine the feeding requirements of the person. 
     FIG. 6 shows a patient  108  connected to ventilator  100  using tubing connection  102 , indirect calorimeter  104 , and mask  112 . Preferably, the mask or mask/indirect calorimeter combination is disposable. The double-headed arrow between the calorimeter  104  flow module housing and circuitry  106  is preferably a cable, but a wireless communication method may also be used. The indirect calorimeter flow module  104  contains flow sensor(s) and optionally a gas component sensor. The oxygen consumption of the patient  108  is calculated from data obtained by the sensors in  104  and analyzed by the circuitry  106 , and used to control an intravenous pumping device  110 . This may operate using a feeding tube  114  connected to an intravenous feeding needle arrangement (not shown). Nutrients or medications are metered to a subject depending on the measured metabolic rate. 
     The patents and publications cited herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each patent or publication was individually and specifically incorporated by reference. 
     One skilled in the art to which the invention pertains will recognize variations and modifications to the invention upon reading the specification. These variations and modifications that retain the inventive concept are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims that define the bounds of the invention.