Apparatus and method for non-invasive measurement of current functional state and adaptive response in humans

Abstract

An apparatus and method for non-invasively assessing the functional state and state of homeostasis of a human. Specifically selected and designed tests provide efficient and comprehensive and/or targeted assessment, depending on which tests are selected. The tests preferably include heart rate variability, differential ECG, omega brain wave, jump and stimulus response tests. The non-invasive manner of data recording permits frequent testing which is critical in assessing adaptive response and other performance criteria. The sensors, interface/adapter and computing device are preferably lightweight to promote portability.

1 . An apparatus for assessing the functional state and state of homeostasis in a human, comprising: 
 a sensed signal input;    processing logic coupled to said sensed signal input that performs two or more functional state tests from the group of tests including: 
 heart rate variability test;  
 differential ECG test;  
 brain wave test;  
 jump test; and  
 stimulus response test;  
   said processing logic being configured to receive appropriate sensed signals for a given test from said input and to process those signals in such a manner as to produce a signal for that given test that is representative of a textual conclusion of the functional state of a body system that that test is designed to assess.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said signal representative of said textual conclusion is generated from a rules-based analysis of sensed data as processed by said processing logic.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said processing logic is configured to calculate one or more indices values for the given test and to interpret said one or more indices values to general said signal representative of said textual conclusion.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising select logic that permits a user to select which of said two or more tests said processing logic is to perform.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanism that non-invasively measures physical parameters of a person under test that correspond to said two or more functional tests.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said processing logic performs three or more of said functional tests.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said processing logic performs four or more of said functional tests.  
     
     
         8 . A method of assessing the functional state and state of homeostasis in a human, comprising the steps: 
 inputting sensed signals;    conducting via machine executable steps a test based on cardiac generated sensed signal to assess the functional state of a body system; and    conducting via machine executable steps a test based on brain wave sensed signals to assess the functional state of a body system.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the steps of: 
 generating indices from said cardiac generated sensed signals or said brain wave sensed signals; and    interpreting said generated indices to create a signal representative of a textual conclusion about the functional state of a body system corresponding said indices.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said interpreting step includes the step of using a rules-based analysis to carry out said interpretation.