DE102010015608A1 - Organism i.e. patient, health statement making method, involves exerting time variable stimulus e.g. mechanical vibration, during measurements on organism, and determining change of statistical distribution with time - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves detecting and storing measurement values of a selected physiological characteristic of an organism by a measurement unit (1). Deviations of statistical distribution of logarithmic normal distribution of the measurement values are determined using the logarithmic normal distribution as a reference size. The change of the statistical distribution is determined with time and subjected with a correlation analysis. A time variable stimulus e.g. mechanical vibration, is exerted during measurements on the organism. An independent claim is also included for a device for making a statement about the health of an organism.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for enabling a statement about the state of health of a living being on the basis of a comparison of a selected physiological characteristic of the living with a corresponding characteristic for the healthy state reference characteristic, wherein multiple times with a measuring unit measured values of the selected physiological characteristic detected and cached, by means of methods the statistics for the multiple measured values, the statistical distribution and the logarithmic normal distribution determined, and based on the logarithmic normal distribution as a reference variable, a determination of the deviations of the statistical distribution of the logarithmic normal distribution of the measured values is made, the change of the distribution determined over time and preferably is subjected to a correlation analysis.

The invention also relates to a method for operating a time-variable, in particular periodic, stimulus with an amplitude and a frequency-exerting device on a living being.

The invention further relates to a device for enabling a statement about the state of health of a living being according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a measuring unit for recording, buffering and forwarding to an evaluation unit of measured values of a selected physiological parameter, the evaluation unit for calculating a statistical distribution and the logarithmic normal distribution of the multiple measured values is formed by methods of statistics, wherein the evaluation unit also for determining the deviations of the statistical distribution of the logarithmic normal distribution on the basis of the logarithmic normal distribution as a reference characteristic of the measured values and to determine the change of the distribution over time and preferably is designed to perform a correlation analysis.

Finally, the present invention relates to a device for applying to a living being a time-variable, in particular periodic, stimulus having an amplitude and / or a frequency.

A method for enabling a statement about the state of health of a living being of the type mentioned is from the EP 0538739 B1 known. The known method is used to determine clear and objective criteria for the holistic state of a patient. The known method is therefore used to allow a reliable statement about the holistic state of health of a subject. Furthermore, the known method makes it possible to determine to what extent the condition of a subject as a whole deviates from an ideal state. The known method is based on the empirical finding that the physiological parameters of living beings, in particular the conductivity of the skin, heart rate variability, blood pressure, etc., are always heaped up according to a logarithmic normal distribution. In the known method, a statistical distribution of measured values determined several times on the same living being is considered and evaluated. The method thus makes it possible to make a statement about the state of health of a living being without having to make a comparison with measurements on a large number of individuals. In the known method, the temporal evolution of the frequency distribution describes the dynamic behavior of the measurement of the underlying network of internal dependencies.

Unfortunately, however, the known method is able to base the desired evaluation on the state of health solely on data which was determined in the state of the living being in which the living being was measuring itself. The meaningfulness of the information determined by the known method, in particular with regard to therapeutic options, is accordingly limited to a disadvantage.

Known methods for operating a stimulus-exerting device of the type mentioned are used, for example, when a patient is placed on a vibrating plate for therapeutic purposes. The known methods for operating the vibrating plate are essentially limited to the fact that the frequency and amplitude of the vibrator are set to values that are subjectively perceived by the patient to be pleasant. On the other hand, a systematic choice of these operating parameters oriented to objective criteria does not take place with disadvantage. Accordingly, in the conventional methods of operating stimulus-exerting devices, treatment success is ultimately left to chance.

A device for enabling a statement about the state of health of a living being of the type mentioned is also from the EP 0538739 B1 known. The device essentially serves to carry out the above-mentioned method for enabling a statement about the state of health. Like the known method, the known device is limited to the disadvantage of data, which were detected on the animal in the state of being at the time of the measurement by itself.

Devices for exercising on a living being of a temporally variable stimulus of the type mentioned above are known, for example, in the form of vibrators. Vibrators consist essentially of a base plate for the patient, which is set in oscillations. Typically, the amplitude and / or frequency of the oscillations can be varied. Also devices of this type are known in the form of magnetic therapy devices in which a time-variable, in particular periodic, magnetic field with a mostly adjustable amplitude and frequency act on the patient. In the case of the known devices, it is disadvantageous in each case that the amplitude and frequency must ultimately be selected arbitrarily. Accordingly, the effectiveness of therapy for the patient is to some extent left to chance.

Against the background described, the present invention is based on the object, on the one hand to improve the validity of the known methods and apparatus for enabling a statement about the state of health, in particular with regard to treatment options. Furthermore, the present invention has for its object to provide a method for operating a stimulus-imparting device and such a device itself, which improve the therapeutic success for the living being.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in the method for enabling a statement about the state of health of a living being of the type mentioned in that during the measurements on the living organism a time-variable, in particular periodic, stimulus is exercised. According to the invention, the determination of the change in the distribution of the recorded measured values over time enables the evaluation of the reactions of the living being to the stimulus. Since a therapy to be selected on the basis of the evaluation generally also involves stimulus exertion on the living being, the anticipated reaction of the living being to the therapy can be better estimated in this way on the basis of the evaluation results of the method according to the invention. In this way, the method according to the invention advantageously provides the basis for a therapy form which is individually tailored to the living being, in particular a patient, in order in this way to optimize the healing success.

In particular, in an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the frequency and / or the amplitude of the stimulus can be varied. The method according to the invention thus advantageously makes it possible, for example, to record a frequency response of the living being, as is already customary in other areas of technology. For example, in the implementation of the method, a certain frequency interval can be driven discretely or continuously to perform a kind of "frequency sweep". At each set frequency and / or amplitude, the deviation of the statistical distribution of the measured values from the logarithmic normal distribution is determined according to the invention, as well as their temporal change. The temporal change in the frequency sweep method corresponds equally to a frequency change.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, an optimal frequency and / or amplitude is or will be determined with regard to the minimization of the deviations of the statistical distribution from the logarithmic normal distribution of the measured values. According to the invention, therefore, a frequency or amplitude of the temporally variable stimulus is determined, which leads to a desired distribution of the measured values in the examined living beings. In particular, according to the invention, a frequency and / or amplitude can be determined at which the deviations of the statistical distribution from the logarithmic normal distribution of the measured values are minimal.

Preferably, in the method according to the invention for calculating the deviations of the statistical distribution from the logarithmic normal distribution to be minimized, a method can be used which comprises determining a Euclidean distance and / or a Hilbert distance of the measured distribution from the logarithmic normal distribution.

Furthermore, in the context of the invention, the Euclidean distance and / or the Hilbert distance of the measured distribution from the delta distribution and / or from the Gaussian distribution can be determined and used as a criterion.

To characterize the deviation of the actual, measured distribution from the logarithmic normal distribution, in a preferred embodiment of the method, a quotient of the Euclidean and / or Hilbert distance of the actual distribution from the logarithmic normal distribution on the one hand, and the Euclidean and / or Hilbert distance of the measured distribution from the Gaussian normal distribution on the other hand. A numerical value for the quotient determined in this manner can be assigned, according to therapeutic judgment and / or target values based on empirical values, which serve as a controlled variable.

For example, a numerical value of the ratio calculated in the above manner, on the order of 70-85, could be considered an indicator of patient-favorable condition. A quotient in the range 90-95 could be considered unfavorable, obsessive or even over-organized. Finally, a quotient in the range 40-70 may indicate that the patient is in a stress condition in which a stimulus is applied to the body.

The Euclidean distance can be calculated using the following formula:

It therefore corresponds to the square root of the sum of the squares of the differences between the actually measured frequency for a given measured value, for example the skin conductivity, and the frequency of the reference distribution for this measured value. In the formula, the index i corresponds to a measured value in a measured range discretized to n intervals. x stands for the measured frequency at this discrete measured value i. Finally, y stands for the frequency of the measured value i at the reference function. The reference function according to the invention is in particular the logarithmic normal distribution and / or the Gaussian normal distribution. Both the measured distribution and the reference function are normalized beforehand for the calculation of the Euclidean distance so that the sum of the frequencies over the evaluated frequency spectrum yields 1.

In practice, the calculation will always be carried out with a number of n discrete measurement value stages, which are evaluated in the aforementioned empirical formula.

Theoretically, the Euclidean distance in the transition to a continuous measurement value evaluation by the distance referred to in the present application as Hilbert distance to replace. For this purpose, the values x _i and y _{i are} replaced by the differential expressions f _f (x) dx and f _y (x) dx, respectively, where f _{x is} the measured distribution function and f _{y is} the reference distribution function. The summation is replaced by integration over all measured values.

In particular, in an embodiment of the method according to the invention, the stimulus can be a mechanical oscillation. The mechanical vibration transfers its frequency to the body.

Preferably, the mechanical vibration is applied in accordance with the invention by bringing the animal into contact with and / or placing it on an oscillating object. For example, a known so-called vibrator can be used, in which the frequency and amplitude of an oscillating plate are variably selectable.

In another embodiment of the method according to the invention, the stimulus may be a magnetic field and / or an electric field. For example, a magnetic therapy device can be used. In the context of the invention, a combination of a stimulus due to a magnetic field and / or electric field with a mechanical vibration can also be selected.

In order to obtain by measurement the multiple measured values of the selected physiological parameter which are used for the implementation of the method, which are used for the determination of a distribution, the measured values can be detected sequentially with the measuring unit in an embodiment of the invention. Thus, at the same measuring point of the living being, a recording of several measured values in chronological sequence is carried out with a predetermined clock rate. Appropriately, according to the invention, the clock rate should be chosen to be significantly lower than the higher clock rate for the evaluation of the changes in the distribution over time.

In another embodiment of the invention, the measured values can be detected in parallel at different measuring points. In particular, for example, a measuring probe with a matrix of sensors simultaneously detect a plurality of measured values of a body region of the living being, which are then supplied to the distribution evaluation.

In particular, according to the method of the invention, the physiological parameter to be detected may be the conductivity of the skin when a specific electrical potential is applied and / or the heart rate variability. According to the invention, in the case of the conductivity measurement, it is particularly suitable to use a sensor matrix to simultaneously record multiple measured values on adjacent skin sections, which are fed to the statistical evaluation. In the case of heart rate variability, on the other hand, the sequential acquisition of multiple readings lends itself to sequentially detecting multiple values of heart rate variability.

The object directed to a method of the type mentioned above for operating a time varying stimulus device on a living body is achieved according to the invention in such a method by a method according to one of claims 1 to 9 with respect to the deviations of the statistical distribution from the logarithmic Normal distribution of the measured values an optimum for the amplitude and / or the frequency is determined, wherein the device is operated with an amplitude and / or with a frequency of the stimulus corresponding to the determined optimum. In particular, the inventive method for operating a mechanical vibrator and / or a magnetic therapy device can be used. Advantageously, the method according to the invention makes it possible to specifically select a value for frequency and / or amplitude on the basis of the value determined by the method according to the invention described above. Advantageously, accordingly, an improved healing effect is achieved with the stimulus-imparting device, since this is operated in a manner adapted to the patient. Healing according to the invention is associated with an increase in the disruptive factors. For example, in the treatment of patients with burn-out syndrome or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or homeostasis disorders with the method of operation of the present invention, it is particularly possible to prevent the stimulating device from operating in a manner that either does not help the patient or at worst whose health continues to worsen.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method for operating a stimulus-imparting device is provided that after a predetermined time interval again an optimum is determined, the amplitude and / or the frequency is / are adjusted when the re-determined optimum of the input and / or previously determined optimum differs by a predetermined threshold. In this way, the method according to the invention advantageously provides a kind of control loop in which the frequency and / or amplitude of the stimulating device is adjusted on the basis of statistical evaluations of multiple measured values of the selected physiological characteristic of the living being. In particular, according to the invention, a periodic determination of the optimum can take place on the basis of new measured value recordings.

In a particularly favorable embodiment of the operating method according to the invention, the device operated by this method is designed to generate mechanical vibrations and / or the measured values relate to the conductivity of the skin when a specific electrical potential is applied. According to this embodiment, the amplitude and / or frequency of, for example, a vibrator is selected on the basis of the statistical evaluation of multiple measured values for the conductivity which are measured in parallel by a sensor matrix on a skin area of the living being. Additionally or alternatively, the measured values can also relate, for example, to heart rate variability. In addition, in the context of the operating method according to the invention advantageously the operation of a magnetic therapy device is equally possible. In this case, the method according to the invention makes it possible to select the frequency and amplitude of the magnetic field in a manner adapted to the particular patient in order to improve the healing success.

The object directed to a device for making a statement about the state of health of the type mentioned above is achieved according to the invention by the device having means for generating at least one temporally variable, in particular periodic, stimulus, in particular a mechanical oscillation and / or a magnetic field and / or or electric field that includes living things. In particular, according to the invention, the device may comprise a sensor matrix for parallel recording of a multiplicity of measured values for the conductivity of the skin when a specific electrical potential is present, wherein a vibrator with adjustable frequency and / or amplitude is simultaneously provided as the means for stimulation. The potential may have a time-varying amplitude. On the basis of such a device according to the invention, further statements can be made about the state of health of a living being than in the case of previously known devices of the type mentioned at the outset. The measured value detection is carried out with the devices according to the invention not only in a state in which the living being is self-sufficient during execution the measurement is located. Instead The device according to the invention also makes it possible to determine those values which result when the animal is affected by certain stimuli. On the basis of the evaluation of the changes in the distribution of the measured values, a prognosis of the particularly suitable therapeutic measures is possible.

The object directed to a device for exercising on a living being of a stimulus of the type mentioned above is achieved according to the invention in that this device comprises a device for making a statement about the state of health of a living being according to the preamble of claim 13, which by means of the evaluation unit Method according to one of claims 1 to 9 for determining an optimum for the amplitude and / or the frequency with respect to the deviations of the statistical distribution of the logarithmic normal distribution of the measured values is formed, wherein means for adjusting the amplitude and / or frequency of the stimulus corresponding to the determined Optimum are provided. In particular, the device according to the invention can be configured as a vibrator supplemented by a sensor matrix for determining a plurality of measured values for the conductivity of the skin when a specific electrical potential is applied. In this case, a data transmission of said measuring device to inputs for amplitude and / frequency of the vibrator may be provided in order to adjust values for amplitude and / or frequency of the vibrator in dependence on the optimum values determined by the measuring device. The device thus comprises a type of control loop, wherein the amplitude and / or frequency is / are regulated as a function of optimum values determined by a method according to the invention on the basis of stimulus responses.

The invention will now be described by way of example in a preferred embodiment with reference to a drawing, wherein further advantageous details are shown in the figures of the drawing.

Functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

The figures of the drawing show in detail:

1 : Rough scheme for illustrating the invention;

2 : Schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the methods and devices based on a vibrator according to the invention;

3 temporal development of various evaluation parameters of a conductivity measurement during a vibration therapy;

4 Distribution diagrams at three different times of the measurement off 3 ,

The 1 shows the basic structure and procedure of the methods and apparatus according to the present invention. One is a measurement unit 1 to recognize. The measuring unit 1 is designed to acquire measured values of a selected physiological parameter. For example, the measuring unit 1 be designed as a sensor matrix for the simultaneous detection of a plurality of measured values for the conductivity of the skin of the living being when a specific electrical potential or a measurement unit for determining the heart rate variability. About suitable connecting means 2 ,

Consisting of common hardware and software for signal transmission is the measuring unit 1 with an analysis unit 3 connected. The analysis unit 3 can a pc 4 include. Further, the analysis unit 3 with an ad 5 to illustrate graphically the statistical distribution of the multiple measured values and the logarithmic normal distribution of the signal levels as well as the logarithmic normal distribution as a reference variable deviations of the statistical distribution from the logarithmic normal distribution of the measured values.

The analysis unit 3 has a data output 6 , which is for data exchange with a therapy unit 7 is trained. The therapy unit 7 can a jogger 8th and / or a magnetic therapy device 9 include. In addition, in the context of the schematic representation according to 1 the therapy unit also a conversation 10 with a therapist include what's in the 1 also symbolically indicated.

According to the in 1 Scheme shown can be the measuring unit 1 a multi-channel sensor unit with a plurality of distributed over a defined surface area arranged sensor elements and a device for laying out the sensor elements comprise, wherein the sensor elements for detecting the Conductance of the skin are formed when concerns a certain potential. Alternatively or additionally, the measuring unit 1 also be a per se known unit for recording the heart rate variability of the living being to be examined, wherein the required for the invention multiple readings are recorded temporally sequential.

In the analysis unit 3 An evaluation of the multiple measured values takes place with regard to their statistical distribution. How detailed in the EP 0538739 B1 The disclosure of which is expressly referred to is described in the analysis unit 3 from those in the measurement unit 1 recorded and via the connecting means 2 transmitted measured values of a living being, first the true logarithmic distribution p _N (x), which is ideal for this living being, ie, the distribution function ideal for the living being, and also the real distribution function p (x). The logarithmic normal distribution is that which has the same mean value x and the same dispersion σ as the measured distribution p (x). On the basis of the deviations between p (x) and p (x) a statement about the nature and extent of the existing health problems is possible, as known in the art.

In the analysis unit 3 For example, other variables characterizing the state of health of the animal can also be determined, as also known from the prior art.

According to the invention and the disclosure of EP 053739 B1 going out is now on the one hand with the in 1 roughly sketched arrangement a refinement of the known method for enabling a statement about the state of health possible by means of the vibrator 8th and / or by means of the magnetic therapy device 9 and / or by means of a conversation 10 with a therapist a stimulus is exerted on the subject to be examined, in real time on the unit of measurement 1 Measurements of the living being are recorded and transmitted via the connecting means 2 the analysis unit 3 be supplied. The stimulus is exercised at a certain predetermined frequency.

The analysis unit 3 is designed according to the invention for the determination and evaluation of changes in the distributions with time. By now the jogger 8th and / or the magnetic therapy device 9 operates selectively with predetermined frequencies and / or amplitudes, the changes of the measuring unit 1 recorded measurements in the analysis unit 3 be determined. In this case, value pairs for amplitude and / or frequency can be determined in which, for example, the deviation of the measured distribution p (x) from the normal distribution p _N (x) reaches a minimum. The optimum values for frequency and / or amplitude determined in this way can then be used as operating parameters for operating the vibrator 9 and / or the magnetic therapy device 9 used to with the vibrator 8th and / or the magnetic therapy device 9 to be able to initiate the most effective therapy possible for the living being in the second step.

On the other hand, according to the in 1 also sketched a connection in the sense of a control loop between the measuring unit 1 and the therapy unit 7 about the mediation of the analysis unit 3 be formed, which is constantly adjusting the frequency and / or amplitude of the vibrator 8th or the magnetic therapy device 9 based on in the analysis unit 3 determined changes in the deviation of the measured distribution p (x) from the normal distribution p _N (x) of the measured values.

Regarding 2 is a concrete embodiment of with reference to 1 already shown abstract embodiment of the invention. Like in the 2 to recognize, is a subject 11 on a jogger 8th standing. The shaker 8th is for performing mechanical oscillations in the x direction 12 , y-direction 13 and for performing oscillatory rotational movements about a first axis of rotation 14 and / or a second axis of rotation 15 educated. The subject 11 is with a schematic sensor matrix shown 16 connected in the region of the popliteal fossa which simultaneously records measured values parallel to each sensor element of the matrix at a plurality of sensor elements of the matrix. Measured values of the sensor matrix 16 be in the display unit 5 displayed. In addition, the measured values of the sensor matrix 16 over the connecting means 2 to the PC 4 for performing the mathematical distribution analyzes. On the basis of the PC 4 determined values for frequency f and amplitude A is via the data output 6 a control signal to the vibrator 8th passed. The control signal 17 includes values for frequency f and amplitude A for the oscillations in the x direction 12 , y-direction 13 and rotational oscillations about the first axis of rotation 14 as well as the second axis of rotation 15 ,

In this way, on the one hand, an improved method for making a statement about the state of health of a living being, on the other hand, a method for operating a therapy unit 7 , in particular a vibrator 8th and / or magnetic therapy device 9 , a device consisting of measuring unit 1 , Analysis unit 3 as well as stimulating unit (in the form of the therapy unit 7 ), as well as one therapy unit 7 in the form of a vibrator 8th and / or magnetic therapy device 9 proposed, which according to the invention in terms of frequency and amplitude for the respective patient or Meßprobanden improved operation of the therapy device 7 enable.

3 shows an example of a course of therapy in the temporal evolution. On the horizontal axis the time is worn off. Various evaluation parameters are plotted on the vertical axis. This is the lowest curve 18 the time course of the Euclidean distance of the measured value distribution of the skin conductivity measurement to the logarithmic normal distribution (dL). The middle curve 19 shows the time course of the quotient from the Euclidean distance to the normal distribution to the Euclidean distance of the measured value distribution to the Gaussian distribution (dL / dG). The upper curve 20 shows the quotient of the Euclidean distance to the logarithmic normal distribution (dL) to the Euclidean distance to the delta distribution (dD), dL / dD). Time values are plotted on the horizontal time axis between 9:19 am and 9:52 am

During the entire measurement, a total of 128 values for the skin conductivity of a patient were simultaneously read in parallel on one sensor matrix. The measured values were divided into intervals and displayed in a histogram. This is in 4 to recognize.

Part a the 4 shows readings at a time 9:19 am, corresponding to the vertical line (a) in 3 , The curve in 4a So please read the following. The horizontal axis shows the measured value classes selected for the histogram, measured in microamps sensor current. At the same time, the relative frequency of the measured values which falls into the category is plotted on the vertical axis in the diagram. The bars thus correspond to the frequency distribution of the actual measured values. For reference, the diagram also shows in the form of a vertical line between the values 2.21 and 2.63 microamps the so-called delta distribution, which corresponds to a state in which all measured values without scattering fall into the same category of a measuring current. Also indicated is a logarithmic normal distribution function and a Gaussian normal distribution curve around the mean value of the delta function.

In the initial state at 9:19 clock shows this histogram as shown 4a a chaotic state. In this chaotic state, the frequency distribution can not be assigned to any of the three basic types delta distribution, logarithmic normal distribution, Gaussian distribution.

As in 3 As can be seen, in the time interval between 9:26 and 9:28, the patient was placed on a vibrator at four heart rate and 6 millimeter deflection amplitude during the measurement. This time interval bears the reference numeral 21 , In 3 It can also be seen that between 9:48 and 9:50 a second shaking phase 22 during which the patient was placed on a vibratory plate at a frequency of 7 hearts and an amplitude of six millimeters.

During the first shaking phase 21 was the histogram analysis and presentation accordingly 4a repeated, as in 4b to recognize. FIG. 1 b shows that in a treatment of the patient with a vibration frequency of four hearts and 6 millimeters amplitude, the chaotic distribution according to FIG 4a into a mirror-inverted logarithmic normal distribution. This is also reflected in the time representation according to 3 , in which in the first shaking phase 21 it can be observed that the quotient dUdG 19 from an initial value of 45 to a value of the order of 65.

In 4c the frequency diagram is analogous to the 4a and 4b shown, which at the time 9:51 clock, so after the second Rüttelphase 22 , has been recorded. As can be seen, treatment of the patient on the shaker with seven hearts and six millimeters of amplitude has resulted in a change in the frequency distribution to an approximate Gaussian distribution.

With reference to this embodiment, which with reference to the 3 and 4 has been illustrated is illustrated that according to the invention a stimulus to the patient, in the present case by a mechanical shaker, depending on the frequency, a different effect on the frequency distribution of physiological parameters, in the present case, the electrical conductivity of the skin leads. Depending on which frequency distribution of the measured values is aimed at within the scope of a therapy, the vibrating device can therefore be operated selectively with a specific frequency and / or amplitude in order to shift the actual frequency distribution of the measured values according to the desired frequency distribution.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

measuring unit

2

connecting means

3

analysis unit

4

PC

5

display unit

6

data output

7

therapy unit

8th

Jogger

9

Magnetic therapy device

10

conversation

11

Family

12

x-direction

13

y-direction

14

first axis of rotation

15

second axis of rotation

16

sensor matrix

17

control signal

18

Euclidean distance to the logarithmic normal distribution (dL)

19

Ratio of the Euclidean distance of the measured value distribution to the normal distribution to the Euclidean distance of the measured value distribution to the Gaussian distribution (dL / dG)

20

(DL / dD)

21

I. Vibrating phase

22

II. Vibrating phase

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 0538739 B1 [0005, 0008, 0044]
• EP 053739 B1 [0046]

Claims (14)

Method for enabling a statement about the state of health of a living being ( 11 ) on the basis of a comparison of a selected physiological characteristic of the living being ( 11 ) with a corresponding reference characteristic characterizing the healthy state, wherein several times with a measuring unit ( 1 Measured values of the selected physiological parameter are recorded and buffered, the statistical distribution and the logarithmic normal distribution are determined by statistical methods for the multiple measured values, and the logarithmic normal distribution is used to determine the deviations of the statistical distribution from the logarithmic normal distribution of the measured values in which the change in the distribution is determined over time and is preferably subjected to a correlation analysis, characterized in that during the measurements on the animal ( 11 ) a time-variable, in particular periodic, stimulus is exercised. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the frequency and / or the amplitude of the stimulus is varied. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that with respect to the minimization of the deviations of the statistical distribution of the logarithmic normal distribution of the measured values, an optimal frequency and / or amplitude is determined / are. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the stimulus is a mechanical vibration. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the mechanical vibration is exerted by the living being ( 11 ) with an oscillating object ( 8th ) and / or placed on it. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stimulus is a magnetic field and / or an electric field. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measured values are sequentially connected to the measuring unit ( 1 ). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measured values are recorded in parallel at different measuring points. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the physiological parameter to be detected is the conductivity of the skin when a specific electrical potential is applied and / or the heart rate variability. Method for operating a time-variable, in particular periodic, stimulus with an amplitude and / or frequency-exerting device on a living being ( 8th . 9 ), characterized in that an optimum for the amplitude and / or the frequency is determined according to a method according to one of claims 1 to 9 with regard to the deviations of the statistical distribution from the logarithmic normal distribution of the measured values. 8th . 9 ) is operated with an amplitude and / or with a frequency of the stimulus corresponding to the determined optimum. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that after a predetermined time interval again an optimum is determined, the amplitude and / or the frequency is / are adjusted when the re-determined optimum of the input and / or previously determined optimum by one specified threshold differs. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the device ( 8th ) is designed to generate mechanical vibrations and / or the measured values relate to the conductivity of the skin when a specific electrical potential is applied. Device for providing information about the state of health of a living being ( 11 ) according to one of claims 1 to 9, with a measuring unit ( 1 ) for the acquisition, intermediate storage and forwarding to an evaluation unit ( 3 ) of measured values of a selected physiological parameter, the evaluation unit for calculating the statistical distribution and the logarithmic normal distribution of the multiple measurement values by statistical methods, whereby the evaluation unit ( 3 ) is also designed for determining the deviations of the statistical distribution from the logarithmic normal distribution on the basis of the logarithmic normal distribution as a reference variable of the measured values and for determining the change of the distribution over time and preferably for carrying out a correlation analysis, characterized in that it comprises means ( 8th . 9 ) for generating at least one time-variable, in particular periodic, stimulus, in particular a mechanical oscillation and / or a magnetic field and / or an electric field, on the living being ( 11 ). Contraption ( 8th . 9 ) for exercising on a living being ( 11 ) of a temporally variable, in particular periodic, stimulus with an amplitude and / or a frequency, characterized in that it comprises a device for enabling a statement about the state of health of a living being ( 11 ) according to the preamble of claim 13, which by means of the evaluation unit ( 3 ) is designed according to a method according to one of claims 1 to 9 for determining an optimum for the amplitude and / or the frequency with respect to the deviations of the statistical distribution of the logarithmic normal distribution of the measured values, wherein means for adjusting the amplitude and / or the frequency of Stimuli are provided according to the determined optimum.

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