Breath volume monitoring system and method

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring the tidal volume of an individual to diagnose a condition is disclosed. The system includes an electrically-conductive, elastomeric band; and a microprocessor having memory. The microprocessor is in electrical communication with said band and has functionality to monitor the respiratory activity of the individual during a period of time, collect raw data from 30 times to 34 times per second, average the data over 9-34 readings, blur from 0.3 seconds to 1.0 seconds of said averaged data to filter out artifacts; determine the beginning of a breath and the end of a breath based on said blurred data; and record an adverse event if a pre-determined period of time has elapsed without a new breath commencing.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for monitoring the tidal volume of an individual to diagnose a condition comprising:
 providing an electrically-conductive, elastomeric band in communication with a microprocessor having memory;   monitoring the respiratory activity of the individual during a period of time by causing said microprocessor to collect raw data from 30 times to 34 times per second;   averaging said data over 9-34 readings by said microprocessor;   blurring the last 0.3 to 1.0 seconds of said averaged data to filter out artifacts;   determining the beginning of a breath and the end of a breath based on said blurred data; and   recording an adverse event if a pre-determined period of time has elapsed without a new breath commencing.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said electrically-conductive, elastomeric band comprises knitted, silver-coated nylon yarn. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein an optimum resistance of said band is linearly variable over a three to fifty percent stretch. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said microprocessor averages said data over 24 readings. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising blurring the last 0.72 second of averaged data to filter out artifacts. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said artifact includes bodily movement and heartbeat noise. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein recording said adverse event comprises recording an apena event, a hypopnea event or Cheyne Stokes syndrome. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 monitoring whether one second has elapsed from the commencement of exhalation but before inhalation commences; and 
 if so, recording forced evacuation volume. 
 
     
     
         9 . A system for monitoring the tidal volume of an individual to diagnose a condition comprising:
 an electrically-conductive, elastomeric band; and   a microprocessor having memory, said microprocessor in communication with said band and having functionality to monitor the respiratory activity of the individual during a period of time, collect raw data from 30 times to 34 times per second, average said data over 9-34 readings, blur from 0.3 seconds to 1.0 seconds of said averaged data to filter out artifacts; determine the beginning of a breath and the end of a breath based on said blurred data; and record an adverse event if a pre-determined period of time has elapsed without a new breath commencing.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said electrically-conductive, elastomeric band comprises knitted silver coated nylon yarn. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein an optimum resistance of said band is linearly variable over a three to fifty percent stretch. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said microprocessor is configured to average said data over 24 readings. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said microprocessor is configured to blur the last 0.72 second of averaged data to filter out artifacts. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said artifact includes bodily movement and heartbeat noise. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said adverse event comprises an apnea event, a hypopnea event or Cheyne Stokes syndrome.