WO2021137151A1

WO2021137151A1 - A system and a method for monitoring a respiratory activity of a user

Info

Publication number: WO2021137151A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/062513
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lara Alessia MOLTANI
Original assignee: Comftech S.R.L.
Priority date: 2019-12-30
Filing date: 2020-12-29
Publication date: 2021-07-08
Also published as: IT201900025792A1; EP4084683A1

Abstract

A system (1) for monitoring a respiratory activity of a user (U), comprising: a textile article (2) configured to be worn by a user (U) and to adhere to the body of said user (U), said article (2) having at least one sensor (3) positioned at the user's (U) chest and configured to detect a plurality of signals (S) representing the user's (U) respiratory activity; at least one communication device (4) associated with the sensor (3) to receive said signals (S) and to forward them to a user interface device (5); the user interface device (5) comprising a software application to process said signals (S) and to represent them on the device (5) in a dynamic image representing the respiratory activity, said dynamic image being a video game.

Description

A SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR MONITORING A RESPIRATORY ACTIVITY OF A USER

The present invention relates to a system and a monitoring method of a user's respiratory activity.

The term user refers to any individual who needs to keep the respiratory activity monitored in order to gain a greater control thereof. In particular, the present invention finds advantageous use in children in order to be able to provide them with a tool for a greater awareness in the management of their own breathing.

However, it should be specified that the above system and method are applicable, with due precautions, to subjects of all ages and for specific situations/pathologies such as for example asthma, stress and anxiety conditions that notoriously affect breathing.

Monitoring systems equipped with specific sensors and electronics suitable for providing information about one or more physiological parameters of the user, such as for example heartbeat, breath, temperature, skin humidity, are known.

It is therefore possible to provide information about a user's physical condition and state of health.

As known, there are articles of clothing equipped internally with sensors for detecting some physiological parameters such as the heartbeat (through electrocardiogram). These sensors are able to send electromagnetic signals to a mobile user interface, typically a "tablet" or a "smartphone".

These articles are frequently used in the field of sport, to provide the user with information in real time about the physiological conditions during training. In this context, the articles of clothing consist of sweaters for sports use within which the sensors and the appropriate electrical signal transmission circuitry are integrated. Sensorised garments (body) for newborns are also known which are used in hospitals to monitor the physiological parameters in the first hours after birth. In addition, the systems used in hospitals are also able to locate the user, checking the movements of newborns within the various areas of the hospital.

However, the known monitoring systems have some application limits and can be improved in their use under various aspects.

In fact, it should be noted that all known systems are used solely for a monitoring activity by suitable staff assigned to this activity. Consequently, known systems do not have an interaction with the user but solely provide him with information only on the state of health.

In other words, known systems do not give the user the possibility to intervene on the monitored parameters.

The technical task of the present invention is therefore that of providing a monitoring system and method capable of overcoming the drawbacks emerging from the prior art.

In particular, the object of the present invention is therefore that of providing a monitoring system and method that is capable of detecting the user's respiratory activity to allow him to correct it and to keep it within specific parameters.

A further object of the present invention is therefore that of providing a monitoring system and method of the respiratory activity which is capable of interacting with the user.

A further object of the present invention is that of providing a monitoring system and method that are capable of being easily integrated with children, in particular for a better management of one’s breathing.

The specified technical task and the specified objects are substantially achieved by a monitoring system and a method of the respiratory activity comprising the technical characteristics set out in one or more of the appended claims. The dependent claims correspond to possible embodiments of the invention. Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the indicative and therefore non-limiting description of an embodiment of a monitoring system and method.

This description will be set forth hereinafter with reference to Figure 1 , provided for indicative purposes only and, therefore, not limiting, which schematically represents the monitoring system object of the present invention.

With reference to the attached figure 1 , the reference number 1 globally indicates a system for monitoring the respiratory activity of a user U. The system 1 comprises a textile article 2 configured to be worn by a user U and to adhere to the body of said user U.

According to a preferential solution of the present invention, the article 2 can be in the form of a garment, such as for example a top that can be worn at the user’s U chest. Alternatively, as illustrated in Figure 1 , the article 2 can be in the form of an elastic band which can also be worn around the user’s U chest. Advantageously, the article 2 is as a result of its elastic structure completely comfortable and customisable in the design with coloured prints so that the user, for example a child, does not perceive the use of a medical device.

The article 2 integrates at least one sensor 3 positioned at the user’s U chest and configured to detect a plurality of signals S representing the user’s U respiratory activity.

The position of the sensor 3 and the type of the same is determined as a function of specific parameters for detecting the respiratory activity of the user U.

Preferably, the sensor 3 comprises an accelerometer for detecting signals S denoting the respiratory rate and/or the movements of inspiration and expiration and/or the duration of breath and/or the duration of pauses between two breaths. Furthermore, a sensor 3 (not described and illustrated in detail) can be provided for detecting further signals representing echocardiogram and heart rate.

Furthermore, the article 2 can be equipped with at least one microphone 6 configured to detect a signal S representing the sound produced during the user’s U breathing.

The sensor 3 is integrated inside the article 2. In particular, the sensor 3 comprises at least one elastic filament capable of deforming as a function of the movement of the user's chest during the breathing action. In this way, based on the elastic deformation level, the filament records a corresponding signal of movement of the chest. Advantageously, the structure of the filament allows to integrate at least part of the sensors inside the article 2 as if it were any yarn.

All the signals detected by the microphone 6 and sensors 3 are therefore suitable for tracing the respiratory and cardiac trend of the user U in order to define an overall condition of his respiratory activity, anxiety and psychophysical stress.

The system 1 also comprises at least one communication device 4 associated with the sensor 3 by means of suitable electrical connections (via cable or wirelessly) to receive the signals S and to forward them to a user interface device 5.

Preferably, the communication device 4 can be reversibly associated with the textile article 2, by means of suitable mechanical or magnetic coupling systems. The communication device 4 has very small dimensions so that it can be worn comfortably by the user U and is released to provide for the possible recharging of the internal battery.

The communication device 4 is wirelessly connected to the user interface device 5 in order to be able to send the signals detected by the sensors 3 to the interface device 5. Advantageously, the user interface device 5 comprises a software application to process the signals S and to represent them on the device 5 in a dynamic image representing the respiratory activity of the user U.

In other words, the software application represents in a graphic image and in the form, for example of a video game, the user’s U respiratory activity as will be better explained later.

Preferably, the user interface device 5 is a mobile device such as for example a smartphone, equipped with a dynamic image display monitor.

In addition or alternatively, the user device 5 can comprise a viewer that can be worn by the user, for example an oculus, in order to detect the movements of the head and to give an even more immersive video game for the user U.

The user interface device 5 may further comprise a haptic actuator associated with the textile article 2 to generate a tactile signal such as for example an immediately perceptible vibration on the user's body.

In this case, the software application activates the haptic actuator to provide the user U with the perceptible tactical signal even without accessing the dynamic image (with closed eyes).

In addition, the user interface device 5 can be equipped with a sound actuator to provide the user U with a sound signal in addition to the tactile and visual one.

Also in this case, the software application activates the sound actuator to provide the user U with the audible signal even without accessing the dynamic image (with closed eyes). As specified above, the software application is advantageously constituted by a video game and the dynamic image graphically represents an activity that must be performed by the user by checking the respiratory activity.

In other words, the video game stimulates the interaction of the user U with the image and/or the sound and/or the tactile signal, through his own respiratory activity. Therefore, the video game generates the activity that must be performed by the user in order to correct and to maintain the respiratory activity within certain parameters.

Therefore, if the breathing is performed correctly, the video game displays correct and defined activities according to the case of use and can be customised thanks to self-learning algorithms.

The user U is then physically involved, using his own breath to check the game. The immersive game is advantageously used (even more so with the viewer and with the tactile and sound actuators) to correct breathing, make stressful situations more pleasant, and therefore using breath therapy for the management of stressful situations.

The system also has the function of monitoring the user’s U parameters in real time, for example respiratory rate and heart rate, and of assessing the state of the user’s U stress. The detected data can be recorded and used for subsequent processing or to have a history, for example representing a particular pathology such as asthma attacks.

The system 1 described above finds advantageous use in children, providing them by playing with a system of self-control and awareness of their own breathing.

For example, in the case of administering treatments, especially if annoying or painful, or in the case of breathing difficulty due to asthma or episodes of intense agitation, the child is distracted through the interaction with the game and so his breathing and his condition of global stress is managed.

Also for adults, respiratory rehabilitation reduces symptoms, increases work capacity and improves the quality of life in subjects with chronic respiratory diseases even in the presence of irreversible structural alterations.

Claims

1. A system (1) for monitoring a respiratory activity of a user (U), comprising: - a textile article (2) configured to be worn by a user (U) and to adhere to the body of said user (U), said article (2) having at least one sensor (3) positioned at the user’s (U) chest and configured to detect a plurality of signals (S) representing the user’s (U) respiratory activity;

- at least one communication device (4) associated with the sensor (3) to receive said signals (S) and to forward them to a user interface device (5); characterised in that said user interface device (5) comprises a software application to process said signals (S) and to represent them on the device (5) in a dynamic image representing the respiratory activity.

2. The system according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said sensor (3) comprises an accelerometer and in that said signals (S) are denoting the respiratory rate and/or the movements of inspiration and expiration and/or the duration of breath and/or the duration of pauses between two breaths.

3. The system according to claim 1, characterised in that said user interface device (5) is a mobile device equipped with a dynamic image display monitor.

4. The system according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said user device comprises a viewer that can be worn by the user.

5. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said user interface device (5) further comprises a haptic actuator associated with the textile article (2); said software application activating the actuator to provide the user (U) with a tactile signal.

6. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said user interface device (5) further comprises a sound actuator, said software application activating the sound actuator to provide a signal audible by the user.

7. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said article (2) further comprises at least one microphone (6) configured to detect a signal (S) representing the sound produced during the user's (U) breathing.

8. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said communication device can be reversibly associated with the textile article (2) and in that it is wirelessly connected to the user interface device (5).

9. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said software application is a video game and in that said dynamic image graphically represents an activity that must be performed by the user by checking the respiratory activity.

10. A monitoring method of a user's (U) respiratory activity, comprising the steps of: - wearing a textile article (2) of a monitoring system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, to a respective user (U);

- activating a communication between the communication device (4) associated with the sensor (3) and the user interface device (5) to send the signals (S), representing the user's (U) respiratory activity, to the device (5); characterised in that it further comprises the step of processing the signals (S) through a software application to represent them on the device (5) in a dynamic image denoting the respiratory activity.

11. The method according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said step of processing the signals comprises the sub-step of interacting with the image through the respiratory function by the user (U); said dynamic image graphically representing the activity that the user (U) must perform by checking the respiratory activity.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterised in that said sensor

(3) detects and sends signals (S) denoting the respiratory rate and/or the movements of inspiration and expiration and/or the duration of breath and/or the duration of pauses between two breaths.

13. Method according to claim 10, characterised in that said dynamic image is represented on the monitor of a mobile device or on the monitor of a viewer that can be worn by the user (U).

14. Method according to claim 10, characterised in that said software application activates the haptic actuator to provide the user (U) with a tactile signal.

15. Method according to claim 10, characterised in that said software application activates the sound actuator to provide a signal audible by the user (U).

16. Method according to claim 10, characterised in that it comprises the step of detecting and further sending signals (S) denoting the sound produced during the user's breathing (U).