ADAPTABLE PULMONARY FUNCTIONALITY TESTING DEVICE

Abstract

An adaptable pulmonary functionality testing device, comprising a platform 101 arranged with a touch interactive display panel 102 that accessed by a medical practitioner for providing input details of a patient, a speaker 103 produces audio instructions for patient to proceed for performing test, a cuboidal body 104 with an extendable conduit 105 for exhaling maximum amount of air from user’s mouth, an extendable plate 106 bifurcates body 104 into two column, plurality of balls 107 gets pushed in an upward direction in columns, a calibration 108 marked on columns with a LED light 109 depicts marking till which ball reached, a pair of cranks 110 by means of a motorized ball and socket joint 111 turns body 104 upside down with respect to platform 101, a vacuum pump 112 creates vacuum inside column for positioning of balls 107 at upper end of columns.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an adaptable pulmonary functionality testing device designed to aid medical practitioners in conducting comprehensive pulmonary tests on patients by effectively accounting for critical variables, including age, sex, and gender, thereby enhancing diagnostic accuracy and ensuring personalized assessment and treatment for individuals with respiratory conditions or concerns.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A pulmonary test, or pulmonary function test (PFT), measures lung function to assess breathing and identify respiratory issues. It plays a critical role in diagnosing conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pulmonary fibrosis. This test evaluates lung capacity, air volume, and gas exchange efficiency, helping medical professionals understand the severity of a condition and monitor disease progression or treatment effectiveness. The need for pulmonary tests is growing as respiratory conditions become more prevalent due to pollution, smoking, and occupational hazards. Accurate diagnosis and tracking allow for timely interventions, helping to prevent serious complications and improve the quality of life. For those with chronic respiratory issues, regular PFTs provide insight into how well the lungs are functioning and guide necessary adjustments in treatment. By offering early detection, pulmonary tests are essential tools in managing respiratory health, supporting both preventive care and targeted medical responses.

[0003] Traditional pulmonary function tests often involve spirometry, plethysmography, and diffusion capacity tests. Spirometry requires patients to inhale deeply and then exhale forcefully into a mouthpiece connected to a machine, which measures the airflow and lung volume. Plethysmography, on the other hand, has patients sit in an airtight booth while changes in lung volume are assessed. The diffusion capacity test measures how effectively oxygen moves from the lungs into the bloodstream by having patients inhale a tracer gas. These traditional methods have notable drawbacks. They require strict patient cooperation, which can be challenging for young children, elderly, or those with compromised lung function. The tests are often bulky, requiring specialized equipment and trained technicians, which limits their accessibility, especially in remote areas. Additionally, the procedures can cause discomfort and may not provide real-time data, making continuous monitoring difficult. As a result, early detection and effective disease management can be hindered.

[0004] US5528944A is an apparatus for testing pulmonary devices such as endotracheal tubes and connectors is disclosed. The apparatus forces a predetermined volume of air or gas through the pulmonary device in accordance with a preselected waveform in a first and/or second direction under conditions that simulate an in-patient use environment. The device also measures the amount of work required to force the air or gas through the device under selected conditions. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device produces a laminar or turbulent flow of gas. Though US'944 pertains to a pulmonary wave generator designed for testing endotracheal tubes under simulated conditions; however, the cited prior art fails to assist medical practitioners in conducting pulmonary tests on patients by neglecting to account for critical variables such as age, sex, and gender, which are essential for accurately interpreting test results and ensuring effective patient care, ultimately highlighting a significant gap in the technology that limits the applicability in real-world clinical settings where individualized patient factors can significantly influence pulmonary function assessment and treatment outcomes, thereby necessitating the development of more comprehensive testing solutions.

[0005] US4444202A discloses a breathing exerciser, comprising: first and second tubes; a lower cap member having bores for receiving one end of each of the tubes, the lower cap member having a passageway communicating between the first tube and a lower inlet/outlet opening; an upper cap member having bores for receiving the other ends of the tubes, and having a passageway communicating between both the tubes and an upper inlet/outlet opening; a floor member closing the lower end of the second tube; a floatable indicating member disposed in the second tube, the indicating member being upwardly movable during fluid flow into the upper inlet/outlet opening, through the first tube and out of the lower inlet/outlet opening, the amount of upward movement depending upon the rate of fluid flow; a valve assembly for adjusting the effective size of at least one of the inlet/outlet openings, for controlling the fluid flow rate required to move the indicating member over an effective range; and, openings in the second tube for calibrating the effective range, whereby the volume of air inhaled through the exerciser can be monitored and controlled. Although US'202 addresses respiratory therapeutic apparatus, specifically a breathing exerciser that monitors and controls the tidal volume of inspired air, as well as indirectly managing the rate of medicine inhalation in vapor form; however, the referenced prior art fails to aid medical practitioners in conducting pulmonary tests on patients by neglecting essential variables like age, sex, and gender, which are crucial for accurate assessments and tailored treatment plans, thereby limiting its effectiveness in personalized medicine and comprehensive respiratory care, highlighting a significant gap in the existing technology that needs to be addressed for improved patient outcomes and diagnostic accuracy.

[0006] Conventionally, while many respiratory therapeutic devices exist to aid in treatment, they often fall short in supporting medical practitioners during pulmonary assessments, as these devices typically do not account for critical variables such as age, sex, and gender, which can significantly influence respiratory function; thus, the lack of comprehensive tools limits the ability to obtain accurate diagnostic insights, ultimately impacting patient care and the effectiveness of personalized treatment plans, underscoring the need for advanced systems that integrate these demographic factors to enhance the assessment of pulmonary health and improve clinical outcomes in diverse patient populations.

[0007] To address the identified limitations in current pulmonary testing methods, there is a necessity to innovate a device that supports medical practitioners by facilitating comprehensive pulmonary evaluations for patients while integrating critical variables such as age, sex, and gender; this advancement aims to enhance diagnostic accuracy and tailor treatment plans effectively, ultimately improving patient outcomes and ensuring that the assessments are both personalized and clinically relevant, thereby bridging the gap in existing technology and providing a robust tool that can adapt to the diverse physiological characteristics of individuals across different demographics within the healthcare setting.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that assists medical practitioners in performing pulmonary tests on patients, accounting for variables such as age, sex, and gender, to deliver more accurate, personalized results and improve diagnostic accuracy in respiratory health assessments, thereby optimizing patient care through tailored, factor-sensitive analysis during lung function testing.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that simultaneously monitors essential health parameters, such as heart rate, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure, while conducting pulmonary tests, providing practitioners with real-time data for a comprehensive health assessment during respiratory evaluation, improving diagnostic accuracy and enabling prompt, data-driven clinical decisions based on the patient's overall health status during testing.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a compact, portable, and reliable device for performing pulmonary tests, designed to provide accurate and consistent measurements of respiratory function in various settings, such as clinical, remote, or home environments, thereby enhancing accessibility to lung health monitoring and promoting timely detection and management of respiratory conditions across a broad range of users.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention describes an adaptable pulmonary functionality testing device designed to assist medical practitioners in conducting pulmonary tests on patients, taking into consideration essential variables such as age, sex, and gender to ensure accurate and personalized assessments of lung health, thereby enhancing diagnostic accuracy and treatment plans for respiratory conditions while accommodating a diverse patient population and promoting improved clinical outcomes in pulmonary medicine.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an adaptable pulmonary functionality testing device comprises of a platform arranged with a touch interactive display panel that is accessed by a medical practitioner for providing input regarding details of a patient on which a pulmonary functionality test is to be performed, a speaker is mounted on said platform produces audio instructions for said patient to proceed for performing a pulmonary functionality test, a cuboidal body arranged on said platform and connected with an extendable conduit is accessed by said patient for exhaling maximum amount of air from said user's mouth into said conduit, an extendable plate is arranged at center portion of said body for bifurcating said body into two column in a manner that said exhaled air is passed inside said columns, plurality of balls integrated inside each of said columns gets pushed in an upward direction in said columns, a calibration marked on said columns integrated with a LED (light emitting diode) light gets illuminated for depicting marking till which said ball is reached that is monitored by said practitioner for evaluating parameters for lung capacity of said patient, a pair of cranks integrated in between lateral ends of said body and platform by means of a motorized ball and socket joint for turning of said body upside down with respect to said platform, a vacuum pump configured with said columns create vacuum inside said column for positioning of said balls at upper end of said columns, said user is then required to perform inhalation from end of said conduit which in turn pulls down said balls in a downward direction which is monitored by said practitioner to evaluate another parameter with which lung capacity of said patient is evaluated.

[0015] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an adaptable pulmonary functionality testing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0018] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0019] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0020] The present invention relates to an adaptable pulmonary functionality testing device designed to assist medical practitioners in conducting accurate pulmonary tests on patients by taking into consideration critical variables such as age, sex, and gender, thereby enhancing the precision of respiratory assessments and enabling tailored diagnostic insights, which ultimately aids in effective patient management and treatment strategies while accommodating a diverse patient population for improved health outcomes in pulmonary care.

[0021] Referring to Figure 1, a perspective view of an adaptable pulmonary functionality testing device is illustrated, comprising a platform 101 arranged with a touch interactive display panel 102, a speaker 103 mounted on the platform 101, a cuboidal body 104 arranged on the platform 101 and connected with an extendable conduit 105, an extendable plate 106 arranged at center portion of the body 104, plurality of balls 107 integrated inside each of the columns, a calibration 108 marked on the columns each integrated with a LED (light emitting diode) light 109, a pair of cranks 110 integrated in between lateral ends of the body 104 and platform 101 by means of a motorized ball and socket joint 111, a vacuum pump 112 configured with the columns, a motorized gripper 113 installed on the platform 101 and integrated with a wrist band 114, and an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 115 installed on the platform 101.

[0022] The proposed device features a platform 101 designed for placement on a stable surface to conduct pulmonary function tests. This platform 101 acts as a structural foundation for various device components and is constructed from lightweight materials, such as stainless steel, ensuring a generous size and weight for ease of use while ensuring durability and stability during testing.

[0023] The platform 101 features a cuboidal body 104 with an extendable plate 106 in the center that divides the body 104 into two columns, allowing exhaled air to flow through an extendable conduit 105, attached with the body 104, into these columns, where multiple balls 107 are integrated within each column to assess the patient's lung capacity by evaluating various parameters associated with the airflow and resistance, thereby facilitating accurate measurements of respiratory function and capacity during pulmonary assessments.

[0024] In order to activate functioning of the device, a user is required to manually switch on the device by pressing a button positioned on the platform 101, wherein the button used herein is a push button. Upon pressing of the button, the circuits get closed allowing conduction of electricity that leads to activation of the device and vice versa.

[0025] Upon closing of the circuit due to pressing of the button, an inbuilt microcontroller embedded within the platform 101 and linked to the switch generates a command to activate a touch interactive display panel 102 arranged with the platform 101 for allowing a medical practitioner for providing input regarding details of a patient on which a pulmonary functionality test is to be performed. The touch interactive display panel 102 as mentioned herein is typically an (Liquid Crystal Display) screen that presents output in a visible form. The screen is equipped with touch-sensitive technology, allowing the user to interact directly with the display using their fingers. A touch controller IC (Integrated Circuit) is responsible for processing the analog signals generated when the user inputs details regarding age, sex, height, weight, medical history, smoking status, and current symptoms. The touch controller is typically connected to the microcontroller through various interfaces which may include but are not limited to SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) or I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit).

[0026] The microcontroller analyzes input commands provided by medical practitioner to evaluate an ideal lung capacity parameters tailored to the patient's specific needs, ensuring that the assessed values align with normal physiological standards while accommodating any individual health considerations or conditions that may affect respiratory function.

[0027] Based on the evaluated ideal lung capacity, the microcontroller activates a speaker 103 mounted on the platform 101 for producing audio instructions for the patient to proceed for performing a pulmonary functionality test. The speaker 103 works by receiving signals from the microcontroller, converting them into sound waves through a diaphragm's vibration, and producing audible sounds with the help of amplification and control circuitry in order to deliver audio instructions to the patient, guiding them through the process of conducting a pulmonary functionality test, thereby enhancing patient understanding and compliance during the evaluation of respiratory performance and ensuring that the testing procedures are followed correctly for accurate results.

[0028] The patient then exhales the maximum volume of air from their mouth into the conduit 105, which directs the airflow through specific columns, effectively propelling the balls 107 upward in response to the pressure created by the exhalation.

[0029] Based on the pressured applied by the exhaled air into the columns, LED (light emitting diode) light 109 integrated with each calibration 108 marked on the columns are activated by the microcontroller to get illuminated for depicting the mark till which the ball is reached. The LED light 109 is a two-lead semiconductor light source also known as p-n junction which produce the lighting when constant voltage is supplied across the diode. When the voltage is supplied across the diode, the electrons recombine with the electrons hole in the diode which result in conversion of electron into photons which is another form of light, depicting the mark till which the ball is reached, allowing the practitioner for evaluating parameters for lung capacity of the patient.

[0030] In case of performing the pulmonary test by inhalation, a motorized ball and socket joint 111 integrated in a pair of cranks 110 arranged in between lateral ends of the body 104 and platform 101 is actuated by the microcontroller to provide angular movement to the cranks 110 along the platform 101 for turning of the body 104 upside down with respect to the platform 101. The motorized ball and socket joint 111 provides a rotation to the cranks 110 for aiding the cranks 110 to turn at a required angle. The ball and socket joint 111 is a coupling consisting of a ball joint securely locked within a socket joint, where the ball joint is able to move in a 360-dgree rotation within the socket thus, providing the required rotational motion to the cranks 110. The motorized ball and socket joint 111 is powered by a DC (direct current) motor that is actuated by the microcontroller thus providing multidirectional movement to the cranks 110 for turning of the body 104 upside down with respect to the platform 101.

[0031] The microcontroller then activates a vacuum pump 112 configured with the columns to create vacuum inside the column for positioning of the balls 107 at upper end of the columns. The vacuum pump 112 operates by removing air from the column, creating a low-pressure environment. When the pump 112 is activated, it draws air out through an intake valve, which reduces the pressure inside the column. This vacuum causes the balls 107 positioned at the upper end to be drawn upwards due to the pressure difference. As the vacuum strengthens, the atmospheric pressure outside the column pushes against the balls 107, effectively positioning the balls 107 at upper end of the columns.

[0032] The user is then required to perform inhalation from end of the conduit 105, causing the balls 107 to descend in a downward direction which is monitored by the practitioner to evaluate another parameter with which lung capacity of the patient is evaluated.

[0033] An artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 115 installed on the platform 101 determine orientation of a mouthpiece integrated with the conduit 105 in the patient's mouth. The imaging unit 115 comprises of an image capturing arrangement including a set of lenses that captures multiple images in surrounding of the platform 101, and the captured images are stored within memory of the imaging unit 115 in form of an optical data. The imaging unit 115 also comprises of a processor that is integrated with artificial intelligence protocols, such that the processor processes the optical data and extracts the required data from the captured images. The extracted data is further converted into digital pulses and bits and are further transmitted to the microcontroller. The microcontroller processes the received data and determines orientation of a mouthpiece integrated with the conduit 105 in the patient's mouth.

[0034] In case the determined orientation is detected to be incorrect, the microcontroller directs the speaker 103 to guide the patient on the correct inhalation and exhalation techniques using the mouthpiece, ensuring proper respiratory function and adherence to prescribed breathing methods, ultimately aiding in effective treatment and improving the patient's overall experience during the process of the pulmonary functionality test.

[0035] Additionally, a motorized gripper 113 installed on the platform 101 and integrated with a wrist band 114 is accessed by the patient to wear the band 114 on the patient's wrist. The wrist band 114 is featured with FBG senor that monitors vital health parameters of the user while performing the test. The FBG sensor monitors vital health parameters by utilizing light transmission through optical fibers and consists of a series of reflective gratings that respond to changes in temperature, strain, and pressure. When a user undergoes a test, variations in these parameters cause shifts in the reflected light wavelength. The FBG sensor detects these shifts, allowing for real-time monitoring of vital signs such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. The data collected is processed and analyzed by the microcontroller to monitors vital health parameters of the user while performing the test.

[0036] The microcontroller transmits a signal to a display panel 102 integrated on the band 114, showcasing the user's vital health parameters in real time during the test, providing crucial data to the medical practitioner for immediate assessment and decision-making, thereby enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of health monitoring and ensuring that any necessary medical interventions can be promptly addressed based on the displayed metrics.

[0037] The motorized gripper 113 includes a link connected with multiple motorized ball and socket joint 111s and a gripper 113 for smooth and precise gripping of the wrist band 114. The motorized ball and socket joint 111 includes a motor powered by the microcontroller generating electrical current, a ball shaped element and a socket. The ball moves freely within the socket. The motor rotates the ball in various directions that is controlled by the microcontroller that further commands the motor to position the ball precisely. The microcontroller further actuates the motor to generate electrical current to rotate in the joint for providing movement to the gripper 113 for precise stability of the wrist band 114 in a secured manner.

[0038] Lastly, a battery is installed within the device which is connected to the microcontroller that supplies current to all the electrically powered components that needs an amount of electric power to perform their functions and operation in an efficient manner. The battery utilized here, is preferably a dry battery which is made up of Lithium-ion material that gives the device a long-lasting as well as an efficient DC (Direct Current) current which helps every component to function properly in an efficient manner. As the device is battery operated and do not need any electrical voltage for functioning. Hence the presence of battery leads to the portability of the device i.e., user is able to place as well as moves the device from one place to another as per the requirements.

[0039] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the platform 101 as mentioned in the above is designed for placement on the stable surface to conduct pulmonary function tests. Upon activation of the device by the user, the microcontroller generates the command to activate the touch interactive display panel 102 for allowing the medical practitioner for providing input regarding details of the patient on which the pulmonary functionality test is to be performed. The microcontroller analyzes input commands provided by medical practitioner to evaluate the ideal lung capacity parameters tailored to the patient's specific needs, ensuring that the assessed values align with normal physiological standards while accommodating any individual health considerations or conditions that may affect respiratory function. Based on the evaluated ideal lung capacity, the microcontroller activates the speaker 103 for producing audio instructions for the patient to proceed for performing the pulmonary functionality test. The patient then exhales the maximum volume of air from their mouth into the conduit 105, which directs the airflow through specific columns, effectively propelling the balls 107 upward in response to the pressure created by the exhalation. Based on the pressured applied by the exhaled air into the columns, LED (light emitting diode) light 109 marked on the columns are activated by the microcontroller to get illuminated for depicting the mark till which the ball is reached. In case of performing the pulmonary test by inhalation, the motorized ball and socket joint 111 is actuated by the microcontroller to provide angular movement to the cranks 110 along the platform 101 for turning of the body 104 upside down with respect to the platform 101. The microcontroller then activates the vacuum pump 112 to create vacuum inside the column for positioning of the balls 107 at upper end of the columns. The user is then required to perform inhalation from end of the conduit 105, causing the balls 107 to descend in the downward direction which is monitored by the practitioner to evaluate another parameter with which lung capacity of the patient is evaluated.

[0040] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) An adaptable pulmonary functionality testing device, comprising:

i) a platform 101 developed to be positioned on a fixed surface, wherein the platform 101 is arranged with a touch interactive display panel 102 that is accessed by a medical practitioner for providing input regarding details of a patient on which a pulmonary functionality test is to be performed;
ii) an inbuilt microcontroller integrated with the platform 101 and linked with the display panel 102 for processing the practitioner's input to evaluate optimal lung capacity parameters normally to be met by the patient, wherein a speaker 103 is mounted on the platform 101 that is actuated by the microcontroller for producing audio instructions for the patient to proceed for performing a pulmonary functionality test;
iii) a cuboidal body 104 arranged on the platform 101 and connected with an extendable conduit 105 that is accessed by the patient for exhaling maximum amount of air from the user's mouth into the conduit 105, wherein an extendable plate 106 is arranged at center portion of the body 104 for bifurcating the body 104 into two columns in a manner that the exhaled air is passed inside the columns;
iv) plurality of balls 107 integrated inside each of the columns that are pushed in an upward direction in the columns, wherein a calibration 108 is marked on the columns, each marking integrated with a LED (light emitting diode) light 109 that are actuated by the microcontroller to get illuminated for depicting marking till which the ball is reached that is monitored by the practitioner for evaluating parameters for lung capacity of the patient;
v) a pair of cranks 110 integrated in between lateral ends of the body 104 and platform 101, each by means of a motorized ball and socket joint 111 that are actuated by the microcontroller to provide angular movement to the cranks 110 along the platform 101 which results in turning of the body 104 upside down with respect to the platform 101; and
vi) a vacuum pump 112 configured with the columns that are actuated by the microcontroller to create vacuum inside the column resulting in positioning of the balls 107 at upper end of the columns, wherein the user is required to perform inhalation from end of the conduit 105 which in turn pulls down the balls 107 in a downward direction which is monitored by the practitioner to evaluate another parameter with which lung capacity of the patient is evaluated.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a motorized gripper 113 is installed on the platform 101 and integrated with a wrist band 114 that is accessed by the patient to wear the band 114 on the patient's wrist.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 115 is installed on the platform 101 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images in vicinity of the platform 101, respectively to determine orientation of a mouthpiece integrated with the conduit 105 in the patient's mouth and in case the determined orientation is detected to be incorrect, the microcontroller directs the speaker 103 to guide the patient to inhale and exhale in the mouthpiece in an appropriate manner.

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