Abstract: An improved health management system for a person is disclosed, in which the person's resting metabolic rate (RMR) is determined at intervals using an indirect calorimeter. RMR values are used in setting and revising goals in, for example, a weight control program. The effects of a weight control program on RMR can hence be compensated for, which enables an improved weight control program to be developed. In one embodiment, the person is provided with a portable electronic device, for use as a caloric intake calculator, caloric expenditure calculator, and caloric balance calculator.

Abstract: The present invention provides an indirect calorimeter for measuring the metabolic rate of a subject. The calorimeter includes a respiratory calorimeter configured to be supported in contact with the subject so as to pass inhaled and exhaled gases as the subject breathes. A flow pathway is operable to receive and pass inhaled and exhaled gases. A first end of the flow pathway is in fluid communication with the respiratory connector and a second end is in fluid communication with a source and sink for respiratory gases. A flow meter generates electrical signals as a function of the instantaneous flow volume of inhaled and exhaled gases passing through the flow pathway. A component gas concentration sensor generates electrical signals as a function of the instantaneous fraction of a predetermined component gas in the exhaled gases as the gases pass through the flow pathway.

Abstract: A spirometer for determining a metabolic rate for an individual includes a flow pathway and a flow sensor disposed in the flow path, such that the flow sensor senses a flow rate of exhaled gas from the individual through the flow path. The spirometer also includes a processor having a memory in communication with the flow sensor. A method of metabolic rate measurement for the individual includes the steps of measuring an exhaled gas volume for the individual using the spirometer, determining a respired gas volume for the individual using the exhaled gas volume and a ventilatory equivalent, and determining a metabolic rate for the individual from the respired volume.

Abstract: A system and method of integrated calorie management is presented. The system includes a computer with a processor, memory, display and user input mechanism. The method includes the steps of measuring a resting metabolic rate (RM) of a user and utilizing the measured resting metabolic rate and user activity level over a predetermined time interval to determine a total energy expenditure (TEE) of the user. The method also includes the steps of determining a total calorie intake (TCI) value representing the person's total calorie intake during the predetermined time interval and determining a caloric balance (CB) for the user from the total energy expenditure measurement and the total calorie intake value. The method further includes the step of using a rate of change of the measured resting metabolic rate to determine when to remeasure the resting metabolic rate of the user.

Abstract: The rapid development and acceptance of portable computing/communications devices has given rise to many new and varied applications with respect to monitoring and feedback in the field of the Health Sciences. In particular, portable computing/communication devices have given the consumer/practitioner new and more convenient ways to monitor nutritional intake and adherence to diet plans.

Abstract: A personal activity monitor adapted to be supported on the body of the user, preferably on the wrist, includes a motion sensor such as an accelerometer to generate electrical signals as a function of body motion. The monitor also includes an electronic clock and a memory for recording signals representative of the motion of the housing and their time of occurrence. User entry keys on the monitor allow the entry of signals representative of the time of food consumption and the beginning and end of exercise activity. Other activity and condition sensors may be supported on the monitor such as pulse rate detector, camera for recording images of food consumed, barcode reader and the like. The output of the memory is useful in weight control and fitness logging systems.

Abstract: An improved system and method of health management using a personal fitness trainer and interactive television is provided. The system includes an entertainment device, a control means, a remote control device, and an interactive television network in communication with the control means via a communication network. The system also includes a computer system in communication with the interactive television network, and the interactive television network transmits a signal representing a personal fitness training program for the user that is processed and displayed on the display screen of the entertainment device so that the user can interactively participate in the personal fitness training program. The method includes the steps of the user selecting the personal fitness training program using the remote control device and selecting a transactional selection from a predetermined list for the personal fitness training program displayed on the display screen for the entertainment device.

Abstract: A monitoring device to be applied to an object for monitoring a condition of the object includes a housing configured and dimensioned for application to the object; a sensor within the housing for sensing the condition to be monitored and for producing an electrical output corresponding to the sensed condition; and an electrical power generator within the housing for receiving energy from a source externally of the housing and for generating, from the received energy, electrical power for energizing the sensor. The monitoring device is particularly useful for monitoring a physiological condition of a living subject, e.g. by implanting the monitoring device, swallowing it or attaching it to the external skin of the subject.

Abstract: A system for monitoring bone density includes a monitor employing ultrasonic transducers adapted to be supported in contact with the user's body. The bone density information derived is provided to a personal digital assistant including a display, including means for entering the information into the Internet. A remote computer connected to the Internet includes a program for analyzing the data and providing feedback to the user which is displayed on the personal digital assistant. The user may also record information relating to food consumption and the feedback information may contain dietary recommendations.

Abstract: An indirect calorimeter for measuring the subject's oxygen consumption per unit time employs a mouthpiece through which the subject breathes for a period of time. Conduits connect the mouthpiece to a flow meter and a capnometer so that the subject's inhalations and exhalations pass through the flow meter and the exhalations also pass through the capnometer. Electrical signals from the flow meter and capnometer are provided to a computer which calculates the CO2 exhaled by the subject during the test by integrating the instantaneous CO2 content of an exhalation as measured by the capnometer over the volume as measured by the flow meter and subtracts that quantity from the exhaled volume and subtracts their difference from the inhaled volume.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and recording the body temperature of a subject includes a thermal sensor adapted to be supported in contact with the subject's body, a microprocessor based programmable information appliance having a display, and an application program for the appliance adapted to process the electrical signals generated by the sensor and time signals to create a display constituting a plot of body temperature versus time. The information used to generate the display may be transmitted to a remote computer for access by healthcare professionals over a public network and feedback information can be provided over the public network to the display of the information appliance.

Abstract: An indirect calorimetry system includes transducers sensitive to expired airflow that are enclosed within a calorimeter housing, and a microprocessor in communication with the transducers for calculating expiration characteristics. A graphical display displays the expiration characteristics. A communication link transmits expiration characteristics to external devices such as a computer, communication network, or PDA.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the non-evasive determination of the cardiac output of a subject by causing the subject to inhale and exhale air via a respiratory tube in a plurality of breathing cycles including normal breathing cycles in which the inhaled air does not receive any significant amount of exhaled air from the preceding cycle, and rebreathing cycles in which the inhaled air receives an end tidal portion of the exhaled air from the preceding cycle, propagating ultrasonic pulses through the air passing through the respiratory tube and computing the flow volume through the tube from the measured transit times of the pulses and determining the carbon dioxide content in the exhaled air during both the normal breathing cycles and the rebreathing cycles to determine the cardiac output of the subject.

Abstract: An indirect calorimeter for measuring the metabolic activity and related respiratory parameters of a subject includes a facial mask operative to be supported in contact with the subject so as to pass the inhalations and exhalations as the patient breathes. Both the inhaled and exhaled gasses pass through a tube which incorporates an ultrasonic pulse transit time flow meter adapted to generate electrical signals as a function of the instantaneous flow volume. A fluorescence quench oxygen sensor is supported in the flow tube and generates electrical signals as a function of the instantaneous oxygen content of the respiratory gasses. A computation unit receives output signals from the flow sensor and the oxygen sensor to calculate oxygen consumption and related parameters.

Abstract: A sensor system for diagnosing dental conditions includes a sensor unit which is in contact with an oral fluid such as saliva or gas, and which is operative to provide detectable signals indicative of at least two of hydrogen ion concentration, hydroxyl ion concentration, calcium, phosphate, sulfur, sulfur containing compounds, nitrogen containing compounds, microbial metabolites, and microbes. The system includes a signal processor which is in communication with the sensor unit and which operates to provide a processed signal indicative of one or more dental conditions. The signal processor transmits the processed signal to a storage and display device which displays a user detectable diagnostic message indicative of a dental condition, or suggestive of a remedial action.

Abstract: An improved system and method of health management for a person is provided, in which the person's resting metabolic rate (RMR) is determined at intervals using an indirect calorimeter. The system includes an entertainment device, a control means in communication with the entertainment device, a remote control device having a user input mechanism, and an interactive television network that maintains and implements a balance log weight management program that correlates RMR with caloric intake and activity level to determine the person's caloric expenditure and thus the person's caloric balance. The method includes the steps of the person selecting the balance log weight management program using the remote control device and selecting a transactional selection from a predetermined list for the balance log weight management program.

Abstract: A method of assisting a person in a lifestyle control program conducive to good health, by storing in a database lifestyle data from a statistically large group of persons, and the correlation of such lifestyle data to good health; collecting, in a personal logging device for the person, corresponding lifestyle data of the respective person; feeding the collected lifestyle data from the personal logging device of the person to the database; performing a statistical analysis of the lifestyle data collected from the respective person, with respect to said lifestyle data of the group stored in the database, to produce an output including correlations of the lifestyle data collected from respective persons to good health; and feeding back to the person health-promoting information based on the correlations.

Abstract: A method for assisting a person create a record of food items consumed by the person comprises the capturing of food images corresponding to food items consumed, for example by creating an image using an optical image sensor; recording the food images in the memory of an electronic device; viewing the food images on the display of the electronic device, so as to identify food items consumed; selecting food item identifiers corresponding to the food images; and recording food item identifiers in a memory, so as to create a record of food items consumed.

Abstract: Portable computing apparatus for aiding a user in the monitoring of the consumption of consumable items, such as food items or prescribed medicaments, and reordering such items includes a common database for use in monitoring the items as consumed, and for preparing the reorder list at the proper time. The apparatus preferably includes an imaging device for recording the image of the item to be consumed, and recognition circuitry for utilizing the recorded image to identify the item and also to provide information concerning its nutritional content in a weight management program. The consumable item may also be identified in other manners, such as by a barcode reader, or a voice-recognition circuit.

Abstract: A respiratory gas meter is useful in detecting a gas component of a respiratory gas flowing along a flow path in the meter as a user breathes. The meter includes a respiratory gas sensor disposed in the flow path of the meter. One example of a respiratory gas sensor includes a fluorescence gas sensor having a radiation emitter for directing radiation along the flow path and a radiation detector for detecting fluorescence from the respiratory gas induced by the radiation. The respiratory gas sensor also includes a narrow band filter disposed between the detector and the gas, to pass fluorescence to the radiation detector, so as to instantaneously detect components of the respiratory gas passing through the flow path. Another example of a respiratory gas sensor includes a micromachined sensor that detect nitric oxide through the change in resonance frequency of the micromechanical structure due to absorption of nitric oxide on the surface of the structure.