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    • 专利摘要:
    The invention is a device (100) for manual counting of the respiratory rate. The device comprises a casing (101), a processing unit (106), a display (102), and a push-button (103). The push-button is pressed in response to the breathing cycle of a person. The processing unit records push-button presses and calculates from them breaths per minute values, which are then shown on the display. The device comprises a response arrangement (108) to provide haptic feedback to the user of the device when the push- button is pressed.
    公开号:FI20207106A1
    申请号:FI20207106
    申请日:2020-06-18
    公开日:2021-11-15
    发明作者:Timo Sassi
    申请人:Timo Sassi；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    A device for manual counting of the respiratory rate The invention relates to a device for manual counting of the respiratory rate, and the device comprises a casing, a processing unit, a battery and a display.
    BACKGROUND The respiratory rate is the number of breaths a person takes per minute. A breath is defined as either an inhalation event or an exhalation event. The rate is usually measured when a person is at rest and it simply involves counting the number of breaths for one minute by counting how many times the chest rises. Respiratory rates may increase with fever, illness and other medical conditions. When checking respiration, it is important to also note whether a person has any difficulty breathing. Normal respiratory rates for adult persons at rest range from 12 to 16 breaths per minute. Changes in the respiratory rate occur automatically in response to a physi- ological demand, but it is possible to consciously increase or decrease the respira- tory rate for short periods of time. Deviations as small as three to five breaths per — minute (BPM) may indicate a change in the person's condition. The respiratory rate may be monitored using, for example, impedance pneumogra- phy, which measures electrical activity in the chest during inhalation and exhalation. However, this method has limitations: sudden movements or disconnected chest leads can cause inaccurate measurements, and obstruction to airflow may go un- detected as chest wall movement will continue to register as a person tries to breathe. Capnography monitors, which measure carbon dioxide levels breath by breath, may be a more accurate measurement of the respiratory rate. These devices are generally only available in critical care units, where they are used primarily on o patients who are intubated and sedated. In general wards, any patient activity, such O 25 — as talking, can cause inaccurate measurements. This can lead to increased alarm O fatigue. Observation of the respiratory rate with these kind of automated devices 2 requires skill and diligence and they are quite expensive. E Patent publication US20120203128 presents a respiratory rate measurement de- © vice. It comprises a tubular housing configured to be placed over the nose and = 30 mouth of a person. A sensor is integrated into the housing. The sensor is configured S to detect a respiratory event by monitoring the flow of air within the tubular housing. N This kind of device is extremely uncomfortable for the person and it is guite hard to put on.
    In manual respiratory rate measurement, a health care provider counts the number of breaths of a patient during a fixed interval and mentally multiplies the count by a factor equal to 60 divided by the interval time. For example, the health care provider may count the number of breaths taken by the patient during a 30-second time pe- riod and multiplies that number by 2 to come up with a respiratory rate expressed in breaths per minute. However, the timing techniques involved and the mental math are constant sources of measurement error. There are smartphone applications for measuring respiratory rate, where the user taps the touchscreen when he or she detects a breath. And when a pre-determined time has passed, the application cal- — culates the tap frequency and converts this result to breaths per minute. These ap- plications are cumbersome to use and usually demand the use of both hands from the user. There is a clear need for a simple manual breath rate calculator.
    BRIEF DESCRIPTION The object of the invention is a solution that can significantly reduce the disad- vantages and drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, the object of the invention is a device for manual counting of the respiratory rate that is easy and reliable to use. The objects of the invention are attained with a device that is characterised by what is stated in the independent patent claim. Some advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims. The invention is a device for manual counting of the respiratory rate. The device S comprises a casing, a processing unit, a display and a push-button. The push-button N is pressed in response to the breathing cycle of a person. The processing unit rec- S 25 — ords the button presses and calculates from them the breaths per minute, which is © then shown on the display. The device comprises a response arrangement to pro- I vide haptic feedback to the user of the device when the push-button is pressed. a O When reference is made in the text to the upper or the lower parts or respective S directions such as down or up, a situation is described in which the device according N 30 to the invention is in use. Also, when reference is made to the vertical or horizontal N directions or surfaces, the device is placed similarly.
    In one embodiment of the invention is a device for manual respiratory rate counting, and the device comprises a casing, a processing unit, a battery, and a display.
    In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device further comprises a push-button.
    The push-button is configured to send a signal to the processing unit when the push-button is pressed.
    The device comprises a response arrangement to provide haptic feedback to the user of the device when the signal has been re- ceived.
    The processing unit comprises an internal continuous time counter.
    The pro- cessing unit is configured to record a timestamp t as triggered by the signal, to cal- culate the time difference value T or interval between two consecutive timestamps, and to calculate a mean value or corresponding value from three or more consecu- tive intervals.
    The mean value is converted to a breaths per minute value BPM, which BPM value is calculated continuously from the last detected time intervals.
    The last calculated BPM value is displayed on the display, and the last calculated BPM value is displayed on the display for a pre-determined time unless a new BPM value is calculated.
    In one embodiment of the device, the casing has an upper surface and a lower surface, and the push-button is located on the upper surface, and the device is flat, i.e. the distance between the upper surface and the lower surface is significantly less than the width or the height of said surfaces.
    In a second embodiment of the device, the display is located on the upper surface.
    In a third embodiment of the device, the push-button is configured in such a way that the user is able to recognize the button by touch.
    This feature makes it possible to use the device when it is, for example, inside a pocket.
    In a fourth embodiment of the device, the processing unit is configured to calculate S 25 ameanvalue or a corresponding value from five or more consecutive time intervals, N which the mean value is converted to a breaths per minute value BPM, which BPM O value is calculated continuously from the last five detected time intervals.
    Five time o intervals have been found to produce reliable BPM values.
    E In a fifth embodiment of the device, the device is configured to shut down when the O 30 push-button is kept depressed for a pre-determined time.
    S In a sixth embodiment of the device, the device is configured to start up when the N push-button is pressed and this first press triggers the processing unit to record a timestamp t.This feature simplifies the using of the device.
    In a seventh embodiment of the device, the device is configured to display an esti- mated breaths per minute value based on fewer time intervals T, which are used for calculating a BPM value.
    This feature is useful when the breath rate is very slow.
    In an eighth embodiment of the device, the device is configured to display an indicator mark on the display until a BPM value is calculated and displayed.
    In a ninth em- bodiment of the device, the device is configured to switch off the indicator mark after a pre-determined time has passed from the first signal.
    This feature allows to meas- ure slow and irregular breathing, but still indicate that the results may not be repre- sentative BPM values.
    In a tenth embodiment of the device, the device comprises means for a wireless connection to an external device, and the device is configured to transmit the last calculated BPM value to the external device when the elapsed time from the last signal exceeds a pre-determined value.
    In an eleventh embodiment of the device, the device comprises an individual identity sign, and the identity sign is included in — the transmission to the external device.
    In a twelfth embodiment of the device, the device further comprises an adapter for connecting the device to an external power source for recharging the battery.
    In a thirteenth embodiment of the device, the casing is configured in such a way that the user can hold and use the device with one hand.
    This means that the dimensions of the device are such that they do not prevent the user from holding it in one hand.
    In a fourteenth embodiment of the device, the device comprises an indication ar- rangement for producing a haptic indication when a first BPM value of a respiratory rate counting session is calculated.
    N In one embodiment of the invention is a method for counting the respiratory rate of > 25 a person manually.
    In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device described earlier is used in the method.
    The method comprises steps, where the 2 device and a respiratory rate counting session is started by pressing the push-button E at amoment that coincides with the person's breath cycle, which moment is for ex- © ample the start of the in-breathing phase, and the device stores the timestamp t of = 30 the push-button being pressed, and on the next breath cycle the push-button is S pressed again at the same moment of the breath cycle, and a next timestamp is N stored.
    The method further comprises steps where the time interval of the consecu-
    tive timestamps is calculated, and three or more consecutive time intervals are used for calculating the breaths per minute value BPM, and the device displays this value on-screen. It is an advantage of the invention that it provides a device that is simple and fast to use. It also provides reliable breaths per minute measurements. The device is light 5 and can be hand-carried. One advantage of the invention is that it can be used inconspicuously. The use of the invention does not disturb the object of the breath measurement, so the results are reliable. It is a further advantage of the invention that it produces comparable results with different users. The invention also provides a device that is inexpensive and easy to manufacture.
    DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FIGURES In the following, the invention is described in detail. The description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows an example of a device according to an embodiment, and Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the device presented in Figure 1.O
    O N 20
    S 0 DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FIGURES E The embodiments in the following description are given as examples only and some- © one skilled in the art can carry out the basic idea of the invention also in some other = way than what is described in the description. Though the description may refer to S 25 a certain embodiment or embodiments in several places, this does not mean that
    O N the reference would be directed towards only one described embodiment or that the described characteristic would be usable only in one described embodiment. The individual characteristics of two or more embodiments may be combined and new embodiments of the invention may thus be provided. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a device 100 for manual counting of the respira- tory rate. The device comprises a casing 101, a processing unit, a battery, a display 102, and a push-button 103. The casing 101 has an upper surface and a lower surface and sides of the casing. The push-button 103 and the display 102 are located on the upper surface. The casing is flat, i.e. the distance between the upper surface and the lower surface (i.e. the height of the side) is significantly less than the width or the height of said sur- faces. On one side is an adapter connection 104 for connecting the device 100 to an external power source for recharging the battery. Otherwise the casing is essen- tially sealed. The casing is shaped and dimensioned in such a way that the user can hold and use the device with one hand. The processing unit is a computer or a similar arrangement having computing properties, for example, a microcontroller. The processing unit is placed inside the casing 101. The processing unit comprises at least random-access memory, a processor and persistent data storage. The processing unit is configured to receive signals corresponding to the respiratory rate and produce displayable data for the display 102. The processing unit and the display (and other components of the device that require power) are powered by the battery. The battery has an arrangement for recharging. This arrangement comprises at least the adapter con- nection 104. In some advantageous embodiments, the adapter connection is a USB connector or a micro-USB connector. The processing unit comprises an internal continuous time counter.
    O O 25 The display 102 is for displaying at least breaths per minute (BPM) values 106, O which the processing unit has calculated. The contrast and the luminosity of the 2 display are such that the device can be easily read even in a dark environment such > as a dimmed hospital room. In some embodiments, the display is an OLED display, = but other technigues can naturally be used as well. > 30 The push-button 103 is configured in such a way that the signal for the processing S unit is produced when the push-button is pushed. The push-button is configured in N such a way that the user can recognize the button by touch. This can be achieved by, for example, having arim structure 105 around the push-button. The rim struc- ture rises above the first surface. Of course, other kinds of structures can be used to achieve the same effect. The device comprises a response arrangement to pro- vide haptic feedback to the user of the device when the push-button was pressed in such a way that the signal was produced or was received by the processing unit. There are embodiments where the response arrangement is a mechanical arrange- ment producing a vibration or similar effect to the user when he or she is holding the device. Also, there are embodiments where the response arrangement comprises electrical components and the processing unit is configured to control those components. The push-button and the processing unit are configured in such a way that the device is readied for operation by pressing the push-button. In some embodiments, the device automatically shuts down when a pre-dermined time-out period has expired without registering a signal. This time-out period can be, for example, one minute. In some embodiments, the device is shut down when the push-button is pressed continuously for a a pre-dermined time-out period. This button-press time-out period can be, for example, three seconds. In some embodiments, the push-button activation, that awakens the device, also produces a signal that starts a breath rate measurement session, i.e. a respiratory rate counting session. This means that the device can be activated very quickly, and no preceding startup procedures are required. In this embodiment, the push-button is at least partly mechanical, i.e. the push-button moves when the user presses it. The signal produced by the push-button 103 is read by the processing unit. The processing unit is configured to read a timestamp t that coincides with the signal. The timestamp is produced based on the internal continuous time counter. The dif- ference between two consecutive timestamp constitutes a time interval T. From a multitude of T time intervals, a frequency is calculated. This frequency can be aver- aged with a suitable mathematical method.
    N The user of the device 100 starts a respiratory rate counting session by pressing the > push-button 103 at a given moment of a person's breath cycle, which moment is, <Q for example, the start of the in-breathing phase, and the signal is produced. The 2 processing unit device stores the timestamp t from the internal continuous time E 30 counter based on the receiving time of the signal. On the next breath cycle, the © push-button is pressed again at the same moment of the breath cycle, and a next = timestamp is stored. The difference between the two consecutive timestamps is cal- S culated and the result is the time interval T, which is then stored. Three or more N consecutive time intervals T are used to calculate the breaths per minute value BPM and the device displays this value. In some embodiments, five consecutive time intervals T are used to calculate the breaths per minute value BPM. In some embodiments, the BPM values are calculated continuously, i.e. when the BPM value is calculated, a new received signal (a new push-button press) causes a new BPM value to be calculated.
    When a BPM value 106 is calculated, it is displayed on the display 102. The last calculated BPM value is displayed on the display for a pre- determined period of time.
    If a new BPM value is calculated before said pre-deter- mined time has passed, it replaces the old BPM value.
    In some embodiments, the device is configured to display an estimated breaths per minute value based on less time intervals T, which are then used to calculate a BPM value.
    In some embodi- ments, when the estimated breaths per minute value is displayed, the device is con- figured to display an indication mark 107 on the display until a BPM value is calcu- lated and displayed.
    In some embodiments, the device is configured to switch off the indication mark after a pre-determined time has elapsed from the first signal.
    In some embodiments, the device 100 comprises means for a wireless connection to an external device, and the device is configured to transmit the last calculated BPM value to the external device when the elapsed time from the last signal ex- ceeds a pre-determined value.
    In some embodiments, the device comprises an in- dividual identity sign, and the identity sign is included in the transmission to the ex- ternal device.
    The external device can be a smart phone or similar portable device.
    Of course, the external device can be a desktop computer as well.
    Figure 2 shows the device 100 when the upper surface of the casing 101 has been removed.
    The device comprises the casing 101, the processing unit 106, the battery 107, the display 102, the response arrangement 108 and the push-button (not seen in the figure). The response arrangement 108 is configured to provide haptic feedback when the S 25 push-button is pressed in such a way that the signal is produced.
    The haptic feed- N back is a short vibration or similar for indicating to the user that he or she is suc- O cessfully producing a signal for the respiratory rate measuring session.
    In some em- o bodiments, the device 100 has an arrangement for indicating to the user that a first I BPM value has been calculated and displayed on the display 102. Advantageously this indication is also haptic.
    This arrangement can be a separate component, or the S response arrangement can be used.
    However, the indications for the signal produc- S tion and the BPM value calculation are clearly distinguishable from each other.
    Hap- S tic indications mean that the user does not necessarily have to look at the device until the BPM value is displayed.
    Preferably, the device is configured in such a way that it produces no or minimal sound when it is used, in order not to disturb the patient being measured.
    The processing unit 106 comprises a random-access memory 109, a processor 110 and a persistent data storage 111. The instructions for the processing unit are stored in the persistent data storage. If the device 100 has the individual identity sign, it is stored in the persistent data storage.
    Some advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention have been described above. The invention is however not limited to the embodiments described above, but the inventive idea can be applied in numerous ways within the scope of the claims.OQAON
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    权利要求:
    Claims (15)
    [1] 1. Adevice (100) for manual counting of the respiratory rate, and the device com- prises a casing (101), a processing unit (106), a battery (107), and a display (102), characterised in that the device further comprises a push-button (103), and the push-button is configured to send a signal to the processing unit whenever the push- button is pressed and the device comprises a response arrangement (108) to pro- vide haptic feedback to a user of the device when the signal has been received, and the processing unit comprises an internal continuous time counter, and the pro- cessing unit is configured to record a timestamp t to coincide with the signal, to calculate a time interval T between two consecutive timestamps, and to calculate a mean value or corresponding value from three or more consecutive time intervals from which a mean value is calculated to represent breaths per minute value BPM, which BPM value is calculated continuously from last detected time intervals values, and the last calculated BPM value is shown on the display, and the last calculated BPM value is shown on the display for a pre-determined time unless a new BPM value is calculated.
    [2] 2. The device (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the casing (101) has an upper surface and a lower surface, and the push-button (103) is located on the upper surface, and the device is flat, i.e. the distance between the upper surface and the lower surface is significantly less than the width or the height of said sur- faces.
    O O 25
    [3] 3 The device (100) according to claim 2, characterised in that the display (102) © is located on the upper surface. oo E
    [4] 4. The device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the © push-button (103) is configured in such a way that the user is able to recognize the = 30 button by touch.
    S
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    [5] 5. The device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the processing unit (106) is configured to calculate a mean value or corresponding value from five or more consecutive time intervals, from which a mean value is calculated to represent a breaths per minute value BPM, which BPM value is calculated con- tinuously from last five detected time intervals.
    [6] 6. The device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the device is configured to shut down when the push-button (103) is kept depressed down for a pre-determined time.
    [7] 7. The device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the device is configured to start up when the push-button (103) is pressed and this first — press triggers the processing unit (106) to read a timestamp t.
    [8] 8. The device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the device is configured to display an estimated breaths per minute value based on fewer time intervals T, which are then used to calculate a BPM value.
    [9] 9. The device (100) according to claim 8, characterised in that the device is con- figured to display an indication mark on the display (102) until a BPM value is cal- culated and displayed.
    [10] 10. The device (100) according to claim 9, characterised in that the device is con- figured to switch off the indication mark after a pre-determined time has passed from the first signal.
    O
    O N
    [11] 11. The device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the S 25 device comprises a means for wireless connection to an external device, and the © device is configured to transmit the last calculated BPM value to the external device I when the elapsed time from the last signal exceeds a pre-determined value.
    S S
    [12] 12. The device (100) according to claim 11, characterised in that the device com- N 30 prises an individual identity sign, and the identity sign is included in the transmission N to the external device.
    [13] 13. The device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the device further comprises an adapter (104) for connecting the device to an external power source for recharging the battery (107).
    [14] 14. The device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the casing (101) is configured in such a way that the user can hold and use the device with one hand.
    [15] 15. The device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the device comprises an indication arrangement for producing a haptic indication when a first BPM value of a respiratory rate counting session is calculated.
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