Abstract:
A spirometer-type device is described that is designed to improve patient compliance with therapeutic breathing for improved pulmonary function. In an example embodiment, a display of human lungs is provided that visually elevate with inhalation. A patient&#39;s progress is visualized with a featured conspicuous level marker and upward motions of lungs that are seen from both sides of the device.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/764,397, filed Feb. 13, 2013 and titled “SPIROMETER DEVICE WITH VISUAL AID FOR THERAPEUTIC BREATHING” which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to a spirometer with a visual aid that assists in therapeutic breathing. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Spirometers are generally devices used by physicians and medical professionals to gauge lung and breathing performance of patients that may have asthma, COPD or other breathing ailments, and patients recovering from surgery. When readings on the spirometers change, the therapy or medication may change. A change in spirometer readings may even prompt the patient to call a doctor or nurse for advice. Unfortunately, at times early detection of deteriorating breathing problems is not possible, which could avoid trips to the emergency room. 
         [0004]    Another challenge in using spirometers that are currently on the market is that their complexity requires explanation to the patients about how they should be used. These devices are not intuitive in their operation and how they can help patients. Currently there are a number of solutions for assisting with therapeutic breathing. Some of these solutions attempt to provide a visual measurement, but these solutions fail to meet the needs of the industry because they do not make it clear what is being measured nor how the device is helping the user improve their lung health. 
         [0005]    Therefore, there currently exists a need in the industry for an apparatus and method for measuring pulmonary health improvement for a patient and providing feedback to the patient on how effectively he is using such an apparatus. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The various embodiments described herein advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies by providing a spirometer device that assists in therapeutic breathing and provides better instruction (and visualization) and performance indicators to the user or patient. The various advantages include but are not limited to: assisting a patient to improve pulmonary function through inhalation by giving a patient a visual demonstration of how the device is working and how the patient is improving with continued use; early and clear indication to a patient of slow loss of pulmonary function or breathing capacity (thereby allowing early detection of therapy, treatment or drug malfunction or ineffectiveness); and a lightweight and portable device to improve patient compliance. 
         [0007]    In one example embodiment, a breathing tube is connected to a box or housing that has an image of lungs on it. When the user inhales into the tube, the volume of air moves a measurement marker, which is a mark on a bellow that aligns to a column marking when a user inhales, (along a visual aid such as a displayed set of lungs), to show how well they are breathing or how much lung capacity they have. When the user inhales, the bellow moves which is illustrated by the visual aide that shows expanding lungs and the lungs filling with air. In a related embodiment, the spirometer device is configured to operate in the opposite direction by having the user exhale into device to fill the inflatable bellow. 
         [0008]    In a related embodiment, a patient experiences an increase in difficulty in inhaling into the device tube when a first level adjuster (in this example, a leveler member located on the base of the spirometer unit) is pulled outward. This exposes one or more holes at the bottom or base of the unit to increase the difficulty of raising the visual lung members or bellows (a form of exercising the breathing and lung capacity of the patient as the patient&#39;s health is improving). 
         [0009]    In yet another related embodiment, the housing of the spirometer unit provides a simplistic image of lungs within a human on both sides of the unit that moves upward with inhalation that can be seen by both a patient, on one side, and a medical professional or aide on the other side. The display of the lungs helps a patient understand what the device is used for which is a distinct difference from other spirometers on the market. 
         [0010]    One example embodiment of the invention includes providing a respiratory therapy device comprised of a housing, an inflatable bellow member, and a breathing tube. In this example embodiment, the housing includes a base, front wall, and a rear wall. The front wall has at least one opening and includes an image of an upper half of a human torso. The inflatable bellow member is located within the housing and is viewable through the opening. The breathing tube is coupled to an airway port on the front wall of the housing and is in fluid communication with the bellow member. The viewable portion of the bellow member is capable of simulating a human lung, which provides visual feedback to a user when performing a respiratory exercise. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment of the invention, a method of measuring a respiratory condition of a patient is provided. The method includes providing a respiratory device as described above and having the patient breathe through the breathing tube while viewing the movement of the inflatable bellow. The patient maintains a lung condition for a predetermined time and records a height of the inflatable bellow on a measurement scale located on the front wall of the device. 
         [0012]    In yet another embodiment of the invention, a respiratory therapy device kit is provided. The kit includes a respiratory therapy device comprising a housing, an inflatable bellow member, and a breathing tube. The housing includes a base, front wall, and a rear wall. The front wall includes an image of a human profile wherein two transparent openings resemble a pair of human lungs. The inflatable bellow member is located within the housing and is viewable through the opening. The breathing tube is attachable to the front wall of the housing at an airway port and is in fluid communication with the bellow member. The viewable portion of the bellow member is capable of simulating a human lung, which provides visual feedback to a user when performing a respiratory exercise. 
         [0013]    The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of a spirometer device according to the teachings herein ready for use; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  illustrates an isometric view of the spirometer; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  illustrates the front of the spirometer when not in use, ready for portability or storage. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    Following are more detailed descriptions of various related concepts related to, and embodiments of, methods and apparatus according to the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that various aspects of the subject matter introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the subject matter is not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes. 
         [0018]    The various embodiments described herein are directed to a spirometer device and method of use that simplifies use thereof and promotes patient compliance due to its simplicity of operation, immediate visual feedback and its lightweight and portable design. 
         [0019]    Referring now to the figures,  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate one example embodiment of a spirometer device  10  that includes a housing  14  having a base  40 , front wall  42 , and back wall  44 . Front wall  42  comprises a display assembly  12 , a handle  16 , and airway port  18  in communication with at least one bellow  20   a.  A breathing tube  22  connects to airway port  18  at one end and comprises a mouthpiece  24  at an opposite end. Airway port  18  may include a filter so as to keep particulate matter out of bellow  20 . 
         [0020]    The display assembly or image  12  includes a human lung display  30  and human head  32  to depict an example image of a user. In an embodiment, display assembly  12  includes at least one window  26  on the front wall  42  to show the inside of the housing  14 . The back wall  44  may also include at least one window  26   a.  In a related embodiment, windows  26   a,    26   b  may provide a view of the at least one bellow  20   a,    20   b.    
         [0021]    When in use, as a user inhales from breathing tube  22 , the bellow  20  rises, which can be seen through window  26 . When a user exhales into breathing tube  22 , bellow  20  lowers, which can be seen through window  26 . Window  26  may be made from any transparent or translucent materials such as glass or plastic. A moveable measurement marker  28  may be moved up and down on a measurement column  34  located next to window  26 . During use, measurement marker  28  can be used to track progress and gauge pulmonary function. 
         [0022]    In a related embodiment, front wall  42  includes a physical counter to keep track of the number of uses by the patient in one day or one week. In another embodiment, spirometer device  10  can include Wi-Fi or wireless capability to connect with a smartphone application to track the user&#39;s therapy. 
         [0023]    Housing  14  may also include an airway adjusting member  36  which may increase or decrease the difficulty of breathing in device  10 . In a closed position, adjusting member  36  may cover one or more holes (not shown) in housing  14 , and in an open position, adjusting member  36  may allow one or more holes (not shown) to be open. 
         [0024]    In one example embodiment, when the user inhales from breathing tube  22 , the volume of air they user inhaled expands and thereby increases the height of bellow  20 . In another embodiment, measurement marker  28  may automatically move along measurement column  34  with the rise of bellow  20 . Measurement column  34  may also be manually marked to show how well the user is breathing or the lung capacity of the user. In a related embodiment, device  10  is configured to operate in the opposite direction by having the user exhale, which may be seen through windows  26  on display assembly  12 . 
         [0025]    In a related embodiment, a user may experiences an increase in difficulty when inhaling or exhaling through breathing tube  22  when adjusting member  36  is opened. This exposes one or more holes (not shown) the bottom or base of housing  14  to increase the difficulty of raising bellows  20  (a form of exercising the breathing and lung capacity of the user as the user&#39;s health is improving). Since the user experiences an increase in difficulty when adjusting member  36  is pulled outward, exposing one or more holes (not shown), adjusting member  36  may also be closed to decrease the difficulty of breathing. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , in yet another related embodiment, front wall  42  of housing  14  of device  10  provides a simplistic image of lung display  30  within a human torso on either or both sides of device  10 . Bellows  20 , which are located within housing  14  and can be seen through window  26 . Bellows  20  move upward with inhalation. In another embodiment, display assembly  12  is located on both front wall  42  and back wall  44  of housing  14 , which allows both a user and a medical professional or aide to see the movement on opposite sides of device  10 . This two-sided display assembly  12  allows both the user and medical professional or aide to see the rise and fall of bellows  20  and progress of the user. 
         [0027]    For portability, breathing tube  22  may be removed from airway port  18  for easy travel and storage. In an example, breathing tube  22  may be stored on the top of housing  14 . Breathing tube  22  may be made from a variety of materials that are flexible and/or collapsible, such as plastics, or other materials known in the art. A cover (not shown) may be placed over airway port  18  when breathing tube  22  is not connected to keep bellows  20  free of debris. 
         [0028]    In one example embodiment of a method of improving lung function with device  10 , a user (or patient) sits on the edge of a chair or bed if possible, or sits up as far as they can in bed. The user holds device  10  in an upright position (wherein display assembly  12  is oriented in an upright position, base  40  is facing the ground) and places mouthpiece  24  of breathing tube  22  in their mouth and seals their lips tightly around it. Next, the user inhales as slowly and as deeply as possible, raising bellows  20  toward the top of lung display  30 . Measurement marker  28  is in measurement column  34  at a bellow level reached or a desired goal level. The user then holds their breath as long as possible (or for at least five seconds) and allows bellow  20  to deflate and fall to the bottom of housing  14 . Next, the user rests for a few seconds and repeats the previous steps, for example, at least 10 times every hour when the user is awake. The position of measurement marker  28  on measurement column  34  can show the previous level of bellows  20  to represent a goal. Measurement marker  28  may be used as a goal to work toward during each repetition. After each set of 10 deep breaths, the user may practice coughing to be sure their lungs are clear. 
         [0029]    Various related embodiments of the invention are also described in Appendix A, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The following patents are incorporated by reference in their entireties: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,656,129; 4,324,260; and 4,363,328. 
         [0030]    While the invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.