WO2024079612A1

WO2024079612A1 - System and wearable breathing apparatus for regulating breathing motion of user

Info

Publication number: WO2024079612A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/060145
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eduard Johannis Adrianus REUVERS
Original assignee: Reuvers Eduard Johannis Adrianus
Priority date: 2022-10-13
Filing date: 2023-10-10
Publication date: 2024-04-18

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a system and a wearable breathing apparatus to regulate breathing motion of a user. The system may include the apparatus. The apparatus includes one or more bands adapted to be removably fitted about a torso of a user. The apparatus further includes at least one tensioning element configured on the apparatus. The at least one tensioning element is operable to any one of constrict and expand the apparatus fitted about the torso of the user. The system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the at least one tensioning element, and configured to operate the at least one tensioning element based on receipt of a control signal. The any one of constriction and expansion of the apparatus affects a corresponding one of constriction and expansion of the torso of the user to regulate a breathing motion of the user.

Description

SYSTEM AND WEARABLE BREATHING APPARATUS FOR REGULATING

BREATHING MOTION OF USER

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to improving breathing health of a user. In particular, the present disclosure relates to regulating the breathing motion of a user.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] There exist breathing exercise programs such as Buteyko Breathing and Pranayama Yoga which aim to improve health and fitness of a person by consciously reducing the breathing minute volume. A person may reduce his/her breathing volume by following those breathing exercise programs and doing regular breathing exercises. But doing these exercises takes time and requires a continuous conscious effort as they have to be done regularly on a daily basis.

[0004] There are also certain breath training masks (for example patent document US9707444B1) which may help to reduce the breathing minute volume of a user by limiting airflow to a certain degree. But while using these breath training masks, the user is not able to speak, eat, drink, and socialize as usual, making it inconvenient and bothersome to wear these masks in daily life.

[0005] It is also well known that the breathing characteristics and requirements of a person may suddenly change from one moment to the next, due to changes in physical and mental characteristics of the person.

[0006] It is also well known that when a person reduces his/her breathing minute volume, a level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood may be increased, which may subsequently cause a respiratory drive of the user to respond by giving the person a slight ‘urge to breathe’. With this ‘urge to breathe’, the person may feel that they want to take a bigger and faster breath than they would otherwise take, in order to exhale more CO₂ and reduce the level of CO2 in the blood. However, when the minute volume goes down too much, the ‘urge to breathe’ becomes more urgent, leading to signs of physical and mental distress. [0007] Wearable fitness tracker devices are commonly used to track a cardio-vascular fitness and health of the user. An equally important parameter to be tracked is the pulmonary or breathing fitness and health of the user. Conventionally, breathing fitness and health are determined by measuring airflow characteristics of the user while at rest or while performing activities, by measuring parameters of the user, such as respiratory rate, minute volume, tidal volume, vital capacity, peak expiratory flow, end-tidal CO2, maximal oxygen consumption (V0₂max), respiratory effort, respiratory drive, etc. However, there is also a different need of modulating or regulating the breathing of the user when an abnormality in the breathing characteristics is detected, as a form of respiratory therapy or respiratory training. Various types of breathing disorder exist, such as chronic hyperventilation syndrome (CHS), asthma, sleep apnea, breathing pattern disorders, etc.

[0008] Patent document EP3270782B1 discloses ventilation measurement devices. The devices may include a fastening mechanism capable of permanently or detachably fastening the ventilation measurement device to a belt which can be worn around a person's chest. The device includes a substrate coupled to the fastening mechanism and capable of receiving tensional forces transmitted from the flexible belt through the fastening mechanism. A strain gauge is mounted on said substrate and is configured to output a signal with a functional relationship with said tensional forces to a controller unit. The controller unit is configured to receive and process the signal to produce processed data from the strain gauge signal, and to control a transmitter configured to transmit processed data to an external receiver.

[0009] However, the cited patent documents disclose means that perform a measurement of breathing parameters but do not perform any functions pertaining to regulating the breathing of the user.

[0010] Patent document US20220087575A1 provides a system and method to monitor, guide, and evaluate breathing of a user based on posture and diaphragm (breathing) sensor signals. The user worn device includes a housing attached to a retractable belt that is worn around the user's trunk. The housing contains both posture and breathing sensors. The device monitors the output signals of these sensors and measures the state of both the user's posture and diaphragm (e.g., changes in the belt's length or force on the belt as a function of user breathing) to analyze breathing signals. The system's processor receives, processes, and transmits sensor signal data, and can also calibrate and interpret these signals utilizing various algorithms. The posture sensor is an accelerometer, and the retractable belt winds around a spring-tensioned spool in the device's housing. The software can produce posture-adjusted user respiration data, and can also be used for breath training and other purposes. [0011] However, the cited patent documents disclose means that perform a measurement of breathing parameters but do not perform any functions pertaining to controlling/limiting the breathing motion of the user or regulating the breathing of the user.

[0012] Patent document SE531662C2 relates to a breathing harness for aiding a user to practice diaphragmatic breathing. The harness includes a back support arranged to be placed between the shoulder blades of a user during use of the harness and to produce pressure against the area of the user's back between the shoulder blades. The harness further includes a belt arranged at the back support and arranged to surround the user's chest during use of the harness, whereby said belt is configured to limit the expansion of the user's chest during breathing.

[0013] However, the cited patent document discloses a means to only restrict breathing motion of the user in a static manner, without autonomously and continuously adjusting the degree and manner of restriction according to the current characteristics and requirements of the breathing and the physical and mental states of the user.

[0014] There is, therefore, a need in the art for a wearable device that may be used to regulate or restrict the breathing motion of the user which autonomously and continuously adjusts the degree and manner of restriction based on the current characteristics and requirements of the breathing and the physical and mental states of the user, and which allows the user to still eat, drink, speak and socialize as usual while using the wearable device.

SUMMARY

[0015] The present disclosure generally relates to improving breathing health of a user. In particular, the present disclosure relates to regulating breathing motion of a user.

[0016] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a system to regulate breathing motion of a user. The system includes a wearable breathing apparatus. The wearable breathing apparatus includes one or more bands adapted to be removably fitted about a torso of a user, such that the one or more bands are adapted to correspondingly fit about one or more portions of the torso of the user. The wearable breathing apparatus further includes at least one tensioning element configured on the wearable breathing apparatus. The at least one tensioning element is operable to any one of constrict and expand the wearable breathing apparatus fitted about the torso of the user. The system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the at least one tensioning element, and configured to operate the at least one tensioning element based on receipt of a control signal. The any one of constriction and expansion of the wearable breathing apparatus affects a corresponding one of constriction and expansion of the torso of the user to regulate the variation in breathing motion of the user. [0017] In some embodiments, each of the one or more bands is configured with a tensioning element. The tensioning element of a band is configured to any one of constrict and expand the band to affect a corresponding one of constriction and expansion on the respective portion of the torso of the user.

[0018] In some embodiments, the at least one tensioning element includes at least one of an electronically operable actuator, a motor, a servo motor, a stepper motor, a piston assembly, and e-textile material coupled to the wearable breathing apparatus to provide any one of a pushing force and a pulling force to regulate the breathing motion of the user.

[0019] In some embodiments, the one or more portions of the torso of the user includes portions corresponding to a diaphragm of the user, a chest of the user and shoulders of the user.

[0020] In some embodiments, the one or more bands includes a first band adapted to be fitted about the diaphragm of the user, a second band adapted to be fitted about the chest of the user, and third and fourth bands adapted to be fitted about first and second shoulders of the user.

[0021] In some embodiments, the wearable breathing apparatus is configured with or communicably connected to one or more sensors selected from any one or a combination of a pressure sensor, a tension sensor, a stretch sensor, a strain sensor, a distance sensor, an optical sensor, a motion sensor, an air pressure sensor, an airflow sensor, an infrared sensor, a user stress sensor, a carbon dioxide (CO₂) sensor, oxygen sensor, heart rate sensor, blood pressure sensor, brainwave sensor, and oxygen saturation (SpO₂) sensor.

[0022] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to receive, from one or more sensors, any one or a combination of a level of heart rate, a carbon dioxide level, a blood pressure, a physical activity level, a stress level, an oxygen level, and a quality of mental state of the user. The controller is further configured to determine an adjustment to the one or more bands controlling the variation in breathing motion of the user, such that the corresponding any one or more of the heart rate, the carbon dioxide level, the blood pressure, the physical activity level, the stress level, the oxygen level, and the quality of mental state of the user is within a predetermined range. The controller is further configured to generate, responsive to the determined adjustment to the one or more bands, a control signal to operate the at least one tensioning element. [0023] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to receive, from the one or more sensors, an indication of actual breathing pattern, respiratory rate, tidal volume, and minute volume of the user. The controller is further configured to determine an adjustment to the one or more bands controlling the variation in breathing motion of the user, such that the actual breathing pattern, the respiratory rate, the tidal volume, and the minute volume of the user are within a predetermined range. The controller is further configured to generate, responsive to the determined adjustment to the one or more bands, a control signal to operate the at least one tensioning element.

[0024] In some embodiments, the bands are manually configurable in length in order to provide a good custom fit for users with various sizes of torso.

[0025] In some embodiments, the controller is configured to receive, from the one or more sensors, a variation in motion parameters of the one or more bands indicative of expansion and constriction of a portion of the torso of the user that the band is configured about. The controller is further configured to determine an adjustment to the one or more bands controlling the variation in the breathing motion of the user, such that the variation in motion parameters of the one or more bands is within a predetermined range. The controller is further configured to generate, responsive to the determined adjustment to the one or more bands, a control signal to operate the at least one tensioning element.

[0026] In some embodiments, the wearable breathing apparatus includes a disengaging element configured to disengage the wearable breathing apparatus from the user upon receipt of a disengage signal.

[0027] In some embodiments, the disengage signal is generated upon actuation of a disengage actuator, including any one of a clip and a button.

[0028] In some embodiments, the system further includes an indication unit communicably coupled with the controller. The indication unit includes any one or a combination of a display device, an audio device, and a haptic device. The indication unit is configured to indicate data generated by the controller during an operation of the controller.

[0029] In some embodiments, the one or more bands are at least one of a belt, a vest, a harness, a band, a shirt, a t-shirt, shorts, a pair of pants, and a jacket.

[0030] In some embodiments, the indication unit includes any one or a combination of a display device, an audio device, and a haptic device.

[0031] In some embodiments, the controller is operatively coupled with an external device. The external device includes a computing device configured to execute instructions to host an application including an interface between the controller and a user of the external device.

[0032] In some embodiments, the external device is configured to generate the control signal based on receipt of instructions from the user of the external device.

[0033] In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a wearable breathing apparatus. The wearable breathing apparatus includes one or more bands, adapted to be removably fitted about a torso of a user, such that the one or more bands are adapted to correspondingly fit about one or more one or more portions of the torso of the user. The wearable breathing apparatus further includes at least one tensioning element configured on the wearable breathing apparatus. The at least one tensioning element is operable to any one of constrict and expand the wearable breathing apparatus fitted about the torso of the user. The any one of constriction and expansion of the wearable breathing apparatus affects a corresponding one of constriction and expansion of the torso of the user to regulate a breathing motion of the user.

[0034] In some embodiments, the wearable breathing apparatus further includes a controller operatively coupled to the at least one tensioning element, and configured to operate the at least one tensioning element based on receipt of a control signal.

[0035] In some embodiments, the wearable breathing apparatus further includes one or more sensors selected from any one or a combination of a pressure sensor, a tension sensor, a stretch sensor, a strain sensor, a distance sensor, an optical sensor, a motion sensor, an air pressure sensor, an airflow sensor, an infrared sensor, a user stress sensor, a carbon dioxide (CO₂) sensor, oxygen sensor, heart rate sensor, blood pressure sensor, a brainwave sensor, and oxygen saturation (SpO₂) sensor.

[0036] In some embodiments, the one or more portions of the torso of the user includes portions corresponding to a diaphragm of the user, a chest of the user, and shoulders of the user.

[0037] In some embodiments, the one or more bands includes a first band adapted to be fitted about the diaphragm of the user, a second band adapted to be fitted about the chest of the user, and third and fourth bands adapted to be fitted about first and second shoulders of the user.

[0038] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0039] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a system to regulate a breathing motion of a user, including a wearable breathing apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a controller of the system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIGs. 3A and 3B illustrate exemplary schematic sectional views of a tensioning element of the wearable breathing apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic representation of a wearable breathing apparatus, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic representation of a wearable breathing apparatus, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic representation of a wearable breathing apparatus, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0046] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary schematic block diagram of a computer platform for implementation of the controller of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0048] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a system to regulate breathing motion of a user. The system includes a wearable breathing apparatus. The wearable breathing apparatus includes one or more bands adapted to be removably fitted about a torso of a user, such that the one or more bands are adapted to correspondingly fit about one or more portions of the torso of the user. The wearable breathing apparatus further includes at least one tensioning element configured on the wearable breathing apparatus. The at least one tensioning element is operable to any one of constrict and expand the wearable breathing apparatus fitted about the torso of the user. The system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the at least one tensioning element, and configured to operate the at least one tensioning element based on receipt of a control signal. The any one of constriction and expansion of the wearable breathing apparatus affects a corresponding one of constriction and expansion of the torso of the user to regulate a breathing motion of the user.

[0049] In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a wearable breathing apparatus. The wearable breathing apparatus includes one or more bands, adapted to be removably fitted about a torso of a user, such that the one or more bands are adapted to correspondingly fit about one or more one or more portions of the torso of the user. The wearable breathing apparatus further includes at least one tensioning element configured on the wearable breathing apparatus. The at least one tensioning element is operable to any one of constrict and expand the wearable breathing apparatus fitted about the torso of the user. The any one of constriction and expansion of the wearable breathing apparatus affects a corresponding one of constriction and expansion of the torso of the user to regulate a breathing motion of the user.

[0050] The adjustment of the tensioning element may be done at any time but may be best done when the user is at the end of an exhalation, and may be preferably avoided when the user is at the end of an inhalation. The bands of the breathing apparatus may experience a lowest level of tension at the end of the exhalation when the lungs contain less air and the torso of the user has a lowest circumference. This makes it easier to adjust the tensioning element and reduces the power requirement of the tensioning element. It also reduces an extent to which operation of the tensioning element directly causes a variation in sensor readings of the breathing apparatus.

[0051] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a system 100 to regulate a breathing motion of a user 180, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 100 may include a wearable breathing apparatus 150. The wearable breathing apparatus 150 may be interchangeably referred to as “the apparatus 150”. The apparatus 150 may be adapted to be removably fitted on a torso 182 of the user 180. The apparatus 150 may be adapted to regulate a breathing motion of the user 180 by selectively restricting or allowing a range of movements of the user 180 pertaining to breathing. Such movement may include, without limitation, movement of a chest of the user 180, movement of a diaphragm of the user 180, movement of an abdomen of the user 180, movement of shoulders of the user 180, etc. By selecting a range of movements allowable for the user 180, the apparatus 180 may regulate a breathing motion of the user 180.

[0052] The apparatus 150 includes one or more bands 1 2-1, 152-2. . 152-N. The one or more bands 152-1, 152-2... 152-N may be individually referred to as “the band 152” and collectively referred to as “the bands 152”. The bands 152 may be adapted to be fitted about the torso 182 of the user 180. Specifically, the bands 152 may be adapted to fitted on one or more portions of the torso 182 of the user 180. The bands 152 may be a flexible or elastic element that may be manipulated such that a tension of the band 152 fitted about the torso 182 of the user 180 may be varied. In some examples, the band 152 may be made of a stretchable elastic fabric or material. In some examples, the band 152 may include a stretchable or flexible portion whose tension may be varied. In some examples, the band 152 may include fibers such as nickel-titanium fibers or other types of e-textile materials, which may be adapted to change shape based on applied signals, and as the fibers change shape, they may vary tension in the band 152. In some other examples, the band 152 may be configured within a vest or clothing, such as a t-shirt, a shirt, a jacket, shorts, or a pair of pants. In some other examples, the band 152 may be a belt or harness.

[0053] In some embodiments, the one or more portions of the torse 182 may include, without limitations, portions corresponding to a diaphragm of the user 180, a chest of the user 180 and shoulders of the user 180. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the apparatus includes bands 152-1, 152-2, 152-3, 153-4. The band 152-1 is fitted about the diaphragm of the user 180, the band 152-2 is fitted about the chest of the user 180, and the bands 152-3, 152-4 are fitted about the shoulders of the user 180.

[0054] The apparatus 150 further includes a tensioning element 154. The tensioning element 154 may be coupled with the bands 152. The tensioning element 154 may be configured to selectively constrict or expand any one or more of the bands 152. In some embodiments, the apparatus 150 may include a single tensioning element 154 (as shown in FIG. 1) that is configured to vary tension in any of the bands 152. However, in some embodiments, each of the bands 152 may include a tensioning element (as shown in FIG. 4) that is configured to vary tension in the corresponding band 152.

[0055] The apparatus 150 may further include sensors 156-1, 156-2... 156-N. The sensors 156-1, 156-2... 156-N may be individually referred to as “the sensor 156” and collectively referred to as “the sensors 156”. In some embodiments, all the sensors 156 may be provided on the apparatus 150. However, in some embodiments, some sensors 156 may be provided on the user 180 in other ways, such as, without limitations, smart watches, smart bands, mobile devices, masks, clips, clothing, etc. The sensors 156 may include, without limitations, a pressure sensor, a tension sensor, a stretch sensor, a strain sensor, a distance sensor, an optical sensor, a motion sensor, an air pressure sensor, an airflow sensor, an infrared sensor, a user stress sensor, a carbon dioxide (CO2) sensor, an oxygen sensor, a heart rate sensor, a blood pressure sensor, an oxygen saturation (SpO2) sensor, a brainwave sensor, etc.

[0056] In some embodiments, some sensors (e g., heart rate sensor, user stress sensor, airflow sensor, air-pressure sensor, CO₂ sensor, oxygen sensor, etc.) may be configured to measure various biomarkers of the user 180, such as heart rate, respiration rate, pulse rate, body temperature, composition of exhaled air, breathing pattern, stress level, mental state, etc. These biomarkers may be used in order to determine various breathing parameters of the user 180, such as, without limitations, forced expiratory volume, exhale CO2 tolerance test, breath-hold duration, air flow rates and air pressure during inhalation and exhalation, tidal volume, vital capacity, minute volume, peak air pressure difference, respiratory drive, peak expiratory flow, end-tidal CO2, oxygen consumption, etc.

[0057] In some embodiments, some other sensors (e.g., tension sensor, distance sensor, strain sensor, stretch sensor, etc.) may be used to determine a current tension in the bands 152. Based on the breathing parameters, and the current tension in the bands, the tensioning element 154 may be operated to vary the tension in the bands 152 to regulate breathing motion of the user 180. Also, the variation in tension or strain levels in the bands 152 may be used to determine the various breathing parameters of the user 180.

[0058] In some embodiments, the apparatus 150 may further include a disengaging element (not shown). The disengaging element may be configured to allow the apparatus 150 to become disengaged from the user 180. In some embodiments, the disengaging element may allow the user 180 to remove the apparatus 150. In some embodiments, the disengaging element may also provide a means for the user 180 to arrest operation of the apparatus 150 in an event of any emergency. In some embodiments, the disengaging element may be operated upon receipt of a disengage signal. In some embodiments, the disengage signal may be generated upon actuation of a disengage actuator, by the user. The disengage actuator may include a switch provided on the apparatus 150. However, in some embodiments, the disengage signal may also be provided from an external device, such as a smart watch or a mobile phone.

[0059] The system 100 further includes a controller 200 communicably coupled with the device 100. The controller 200 may be configured to operate the apparatus 150. In some embodiments, the controller 200 may be a part of the apparatus 150. However, in some other embodiments, the controller 200 may be separate from the apparatus 150.

[0060] The system 100 may further include an electronic device (not shown). The electronic device may be associated with the user 190. The electronic device may be communicably coupled to the apparatus 150, and the controller 200. The electronic device may be used to provide data to or receive data from any one or more components of the system 100. In some instances, the electronic device may include audio-visual devices, such as display screens, LED lighting displays, speakers, etc. The electronic device may be any electrical, electronic, electromechanical, and computing device. The electronic device may include, without limitations, a mobile device, a smart phone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a phablet computer, a wearable device, a Virtual Reality/ Augment Reality (VR/AR) device, a laptop, a desktop, and the like.

[0061] In some embodiments, the electronic device may include a computing device configured to execute instructions to host an application including an interface between the controller 200 and a user of the electronic device. In some embodiments, the application may include an internet browser configured to access the apparatus 150 via an interface.

[0062] The system 100 may further include a transceiver unit (not shown) communicably coupled to the controller 200. The transceiver unit may be provided on the apparatus 150. The transceiver unit may be configured to facilitate exchange of data signals between the controller 200 and the apparatus 150. In some embodiments, the transceiver unit may be part of the electronic device.

[0063] The system 100 may further include an indication unit (not shown) communicably coupled with the controller 200. In some embodiments, the indication unit may be provided on the electronic device. In some embodiments, the indication unit may be a separate unit. The indication unit may be configured to indicate data generated by the controller 200 during an operation of the controller 200. In some embodiments, the indication unit may be configured to indicate the data in the form of a visual data, an audio data, a haptic data, a text data, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the indication unit may include any one or a combination of a display device, an audio device, and a haptic device (not shown).

[0064] Further, the system 100 may also include other units such as a display unit, an input unit, an output unit and the like; however, the same are not shown in the FIG. 1, for the purpose of clarity. Also, in FIG. 1, only few units are shown; however, the system 100 may include multiple such units or the system 100 may include any such numbers of the units, obvious to a person skilled in the art or as required to implement the features of the present invention. The system 100 may include a hardware device including a processor executing machine-readable program instructions. The “hardware” may include a combination of discrete components, an integrated circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, a digital signal processor, or other suitable hardware. The “software” may include one or more objects, agents, threads, lines of code, subroutines, separate software applications, two or more lines of code or other suitable software structures operating in one or more software applications or on one or more processors. The processor may include, for example, without limitations, microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuits, any devices that manipulate data or signals based on operational instructions, and the like. Among other capabilities, the processor may fetch and execute computer-readable instructions in the memory operationally coupled with the system 100 for performing tasks such as data processing, input/output processing, feature extraction, and/or any other functions. Any reference to a task in the present disclosure may refer to an operation being or that may be performed on data.

[0065] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic block diagram of the controller 200 of the system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The controller 200 includes a processor 202, and a memory 204 communicably coupled to the processor 202. The memory 204 may store instructions executable by the processor 202 to implement the functionality of the controller 200. The controller 200 further includes an interface 206. The interface 206 may include a variety of interfaces, for example, interfaces for data input and output devices, referred to as I/O devices, storage devices, and the like. The interface 206 may also provide a communication pathway for one or more components of the controller 200. The controller 200 may be communicably coupled to a database 250. The database 250 may be configured to store data generated during operation of the controller 200. An example of the data generated may include logs of operation. The database 250 may also be configured to store other data such as data pertaining to the user 180 of the apparatus 150.

[0066] The controller 200 further includes a processing engine 210. The processing engine 210 may be implemented as a combination of hardware and programming (for example, programmable instructions) to implement one or more functionalities of the processing engine 210. In some examples, the processing engine 210 may be implemented by electronic circuitry. [0067] Referring now to FIGs. 1 and 2, the processing engine 210 includes a breathing goal engine 212, a breathing parameter engine 214, a band tension determination engine 216, a band operation engine 218, an alert engine 220, a notification engine 222, a learning engine 224, and other engine(s) 226. The other engine(s) 226 may include engines configured to perform one or more functions ancillary functions associated with the processing engine 210. [0068] The breathing goal engine 212 is configured to determine an optimal breathing motion for the user 180. The optimal breathing motion may be based on inputs provided to the breathing goal engine 212 by the user 180, or by any other entity, such as a breathing coach, or a medical health provider, etc. In some embodiments, the optimal breathing motion may be extracted from the database 250, based on a historic data pertaining to breathing motion of the user 180. The database 250 may include optimal breathing motion for the user 180 based on optimal breathing parameters for the user. For instance, the optimal breathing motion may be based on optimal values of tidal volume, minute volume, CO2 levels, 02 levels, heart ate, etc. of the user 180.

[0069] The breathing parameter engine 214 is configured to receive, from the sensors 156, signals indicative of breathing parameters of the user 180.

[0070] The band tension determination engine 216 is configured to determine an adjustment to the one or more bands 152 controlling the breathing motion of the user 180, such that the breathing parameters of the user 180 is within a predetermined range of values. The predetermined range of values may be based on the optimal breathing motion of the user 180 for different scenarios. The adjustments may include constricting the bands 152 to restrict airflow to the user 180, or may include expanding the bands 152 to increase airflow to the user 180. Each of the bands 152 may be adjusted independently from the other bands 152. The adjustments may include constricting some of the bands 152 while simultaneously expanding other bands 152, to give certain breathing muscle groups more freedom of movement than others. For example, to promote diaphragmatic breathing, the bands 152 around the diaphragm may be expanded while further constricting the bands 152 around the chest and shoulders.

[0071] The band operation engine 218 is configured to operate the tensioning element 154, based on the determined adjustment to the one or more bands 152. The band operation engine 218 may operate such that the breathing parameters of the user 180 are within the predetermined range.

[0072] In some embodiments, the breathing parameter engine 214 may be configured to receive, from the sensors 156, any one or a combination of a level of a heart rate, a carbon dioxide level, a blood pressure, a physical activity level, a stress level, an oxygen level, an oxygen consumption level, a quality of mental state, a minute volume, tidal volume, respiratory rate, breathing pattern, SpCh, brainwave, etc., of the user 180. The band tension determination engine 216 may be configured to determine the adjustment to the one or more bands 152, such that the corresponding any one or more of the heart rate, the carbon dioxide level, the blood pressure, the physical activity level, the stress level, the oxygen level, the oxygen consumption level, the quality of mental state, the minute volume, the tidal volume, the respiratory rate, the breathing pattern, the SpO₂ and brainwaves of the user 180 is within a predetermined range. The band operation engine 218 is configured to generate, responsive to the determined adjustment to the one or more bands, a control signal to operate the tensioning element 154 accordingly.

[0073] In some embodiments, the breathing parameter engine 214 may be configured to receive, from the sensors 156, an indication of actual breathing pattern and breathing volume of the user 180. The band tension determination engine 216 may be configured to determine the adjustment to the one or more bands 152 controlling the variation in breathing motion of the user 180, such that the actual breathing pattern and breathing volume of the user 180 is within a predetermined range. The band operation engine 218 is configured to generate, responsive to the determined adjustment to the one or more bands, a control signal to operate the tensioning element 154 accordingly.

[0074] In some embodiments, the breathing parameter engine 214 may be configured to receive, from the sensors 156, a variation in motion parameters of the one or more bands indicative of expansion and constriction of a portion of the torso 182 of the user 180 that the band 152 is configured about. The band tension determination engine 216 may be configured to determine the adjustment to the one or more bands 152 controlling the variation in the breathing motion of the user 180, such that the variation in motion parameters of the one or more bands 152 is within a predetermined range. The band operation engine 218 is configured to generate, responsive to the determined adjustment to the one or more bands, a control signal to operate the tensioning element 154 accordingly.

[0075] The alert engine 220 may be configured to generate an alert. The alert may be generated when any of the breathing parameters determined by the processing engine 210 is outside of normal or desirable ranges. In some embodiments, the alert engine 222 may be configured to generate the alert based on an input supplied by the user 180. The user 180 may generate the alert in case the user 180 is feeling discomfort from the apparatus 150 in any way. [0076] The notification engine 222 may be configured to operate the indication unit to indicate data generated by the processing engine 210. The data may include, without limitations, any one or a combination of determined breathing parameters, the goal breathing parameters, the optimal breathing motion, the current breathing motion, any deviation between the optimal breathing motion and the current breathing motion, state of operation of the apparatus 150, current tension in the one or more bands 152, minute volume, tidal volume, CO₂ values, O₂ values, SpO₂, breathing pattern, the generated alerts, etc. The CO₂ values pertain to CO₂ level of the inhalation air, CO₂ level of the exhalation air, or CO₂ level of the blood. The O₂ values pertain to O₂ level of the inhalation or the exhalation air. SpO₂ pertains to oxygen content of the blood.

[0077] In some embodiments, the notification engine 222 may be further configured to generate, based on historical logs of operation, the average breathing parameters of the user 180 for a predefined period of time. The predefined period of time may be an hour, a day, a week, a month, etc. The predefined period of time may further be a duration that the user 180 has worn the apparatus 150.

[0078] The learning engine 224 may be configured to be trained to predict the optimal breathing motion of the user 180 for different scenarios based on historical data of the user 180.

[0079] FIGs. 3A and 3B illustrate exemplary schematic sectional views of the tensioning element 154, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGs. 3 A and 3B, the tensioning element 154 may include an actuator 302-1, 302-2 coupled to one or more pins 304. The one or more pins 304 may be, in turn, coupled to the bands 152. Responsive to receipt of the control signal, the actuator 302-1, 302-2 may be configured to provide any one of a pushing force and a pulling force on the one or more pins 304 to correspondingly one of push the pins 304 away from each other and bring the pins 304 towards each other, thus resulting in expanding the band 152 and constricting the band 152, respectively. Alternatively, the tensioning element 154 may be made of e-textile material using special fibers such as nickel -titanium fibers. Alternatively, the tensioning element 154 may be a wire wound or pulled around an axel or wheel, pulling the pins 304 closer to the axel by winding up or allowing the pins 304 to move further apart by unwinding. Alternatively, the tensioning element 154 may include at least one of an electronically operable actuator 302-1, 302-2, a motor, a servo, a stepper motor, a piston assembly, or an e-textile material coupled to the wearable breathing apparatus to provide any one of the pushing force and the pulling force to regulate the breathing motion of the user. [0080] Referring to FIG. 3 A, the actuator 302-1 may include a servo motor or stepper motor or an alternative type of motor. Referring to FIG. 3B, the actuator 302-2 may include a piston assembly, a linear actuator or alternative type of motor.

[0081] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic representation of a wearable breathing apparatus 400, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The wearable breathing apparatus 400 may be interchangeably referred to as “the apparatus 400”. The apparatus 400 may be similar to the apparatus 150 of FIG. 1. Common elements between the apparatus 150 and the apparatus 400 may be referenced using the same reference numerals. In the apparatus 400, each of the bands 152-1, 152-2, 152-3, 154-4 may be provided with a corresponding tensioning element 154-1, 154-2, 154-3, 154-4.

[0082] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic representation of a wearable breathing apparatus 500, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The wearable breathing apparatus 500 may be interchangeably referred to as “the apparatus 500”. The apparatus 500 may be similar to the apparatus 150 of FIG. 1. Common elements between the apparatus 150 and the apparatus 500 may be referenced using the same reference numerals. In the apparatus 500, there may be a single band 152-1 which may be provided with the tensioning element 154-1.

[0083] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic representation of a wearable breathing apparatus 600, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The wearable breathing apparatus 600 may be interchangeably referred to as “the apparatus 600”. The apparatus 600 may include a plurality of the bands 152-1, 152-2, 152-3, 152-4, 152-5. The bands 152 may be embedded in a vest 602 for the user 180. The bands 152 may include, for example, e- textile fibers that may be configured to expand or contract in order to correspondingly expand or contract the apparatus 600.

[0084] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary schematic block diagram of a computer system 700 for implementation of the controller 200 shown in FIGs. 1 and 2. The computer system 700 can include an external storage device 710, a bus 720, a main memory 730, a read only memory 740, a mass storage device 750, communication port 760, and a processor 770. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the computer system may include more than one processor and communication ports. Examples of processor 770 include, but are not limited to, an Intel® Itanium® or Itanium 2 processor(s), or AMD® Opteron® or Athlon MP® processor(s), Motorola® lines of processors, FortiSOC™ system on chip processors or other future processors. Processor 770 may include various modules associated with embodiments of the present invention. Communication port 760 can be any of an RS-232 port for use with a modem-based dialup connection, a 10/100 Ethernet port, a Gigabit or 10 Gigabit port using copper or fibre, a serial port, a parallel port, or other existing or future ports. Communication port 760 may be chosen depending on a network, such a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), or any network to which computer system connects. Memory 730 can be Random Access Memory (RAM), or any other dynamic storage device commonly known in the art. Read-only memory 740 can be any static storage device(s) e.g., but not limited to, a Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM) chips for storing static information e.g., start-up or BIOS instructions for processor 770. Mass storage 750 may be any current or future mass storage solution, which can be used to store information and/or instructions. Exemplary mass storage solutions include, but are not limited to, Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment (PATA) or Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) hard disk drives or solid-state drives (internal or external, e.g., having Universal Serial Bus (USB) and/or Firewire interfaces), e.g. those available from Seagate (e.g., the Seagate Barracuda 7102 family) or Hitachi (e.g., the Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000), one or more optical discs, Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) storage, e.g. an array of disks (e.g., SATA arrays), available from various vendors including Dot Hill Systems Corp., LaCie, Nexsan Technologies, Inc. and Enhance Technology, Inc.

[0085] Bus 720 communicatively couples processor(s) 770 with the other memory, storage, and communication blocks. Bus 720 can be, e.g., a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) / PCI Extended (PCI-X) bus, Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), USB or the like, for connecting expansion cards, drives and other subsystems as well as other buses, such a front side bus (FSB), which connects processor 770 to software system.

[0086] Optionally, operator and administrative interfaces, e.g., a display, keyboard, and a cursor control device, may also be coupled to bus 720 to support direct operator interaction with a computer system. Other operator and administrative interfaces can be provided through network connections connected through communication port 760. The external storage device 710 can be any kind of external hard-drives, floppy drives, IOMEGA® Zip Drives, Compact Disc - Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), Compact Disc-Re-Writable (CD- RW), Digital Video Disk-Read Only Memory (DVD-ROM). Components described above are meant only to exemplify various possibilities. In no way should the aforementioned exemplary computer system limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0087] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ....and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc. The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0088] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions, or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

: A system to regulate breathing motion of a user, comprising: a wearable breathing apparatus, comprising: one or more bands adapted to be removably fitted about a torso of a user, such that the one or more bands are adapted to correspondingly fit about one or more portions of the torso of the user; at least one tensioning element configured on the wearable breathing apparatus, the at least one tensioning element operable to any one of constrict and expand the wearable breathing apparatus fitted about the torso of the user; and a controller operatively coupled to the at least one tensioning element, and configured to operate the at least one tensioning element based on receipt of a control signal, wherein the any one of constriction and expansion of the wearable breathing apparatus affects a corresponding one of constriction and expansion of the torso of the user to regulate breathing motion of the user. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more bands is configured with a tensioning element, and wherein a tensioning element of a band is configured to any one of constrict and expand the band to affect a corresponding one of constriction and expansion on the respective portion of the torso of the user. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one tensioning element comprises at least one of an electronically operable actuator, a motor, a servo motor, a stepper motor, a piston assembly, or an e-textile material coupled to the wearable breathing apparatus to provide any one of a pushing force and a pulling force to regulate the breathing motion of the user. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more portions of the torso of the user comprises portions corresponding to a diaphragm of the user, a chest of the user and shoulders of the user. The system of claim 4, wherein the one or more bands comprises a first band adapted to be fitted about the diaphragm of the user, a second band adapted to be fitted about the chest of the user, and third and fourth bands adapted to be fitted about first and second shoulders of the user. The system of claim 1, wherein the wearable breathing apparatus is configured with one or more sensors selected from any one or a combination of a pressure sensor, a tension sensor, a stretch sensor, a strain sensor, a distance sensor, an optical sensor, a motion sensor, an air pressure sensor, an airflow sensor, an infrared sensor, a user stress sensor, a carbon dioxide (CO₂) sensor, oxygen sensor, heart rate sensor, blood pressure sensor, brainwave sensor, and oxygen saturation (SpO₂) sensor. The system of claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to: receive, from one or more sensors, any one or a combination of, a level of a heart rate, a blood pressure, a carbon dioxide level, an oxygen level, oxygen consumption level, physical activity level, a stress level, and a quality of mental state of the user; determine an adjustment to the one or more bands controlling the variation in breathing motion of the user, such that the corresponding any one or more of the heart rate, a blood pressure, a carbon dioxide level, an oxygen level, oxygen consumption level, physical activity level, a stress level and the quality of mental state of the user is within a predetermined range; and generate, responsive to the determined adjustment to the one or more bands, a control signal to operate the at least one tensioning element. The system of claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to: receive, from the one or more sensors, an indication of actual breathing pattern, respiratory rate, tidal volume and minute volume of the user; determine an adjustment to the one or more bands controlling the variation in breathing motion of the user, such that the actual breathing pattern, the respiratory rate, the tidal volume, and the minute volume of the user are within a predetermined range; and generate, responsive to the determined adjustment to the one or more bands, a control signal to operate the at least one tensioning element. The system of claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to: receive, from the one or more sensors, a variation in motion parameters of the one or more bands indicative of expansion and constriction of a portion of the torso of the user that the band is configured about; determine an adjustment to the one or more bands controlling the variation in the breathing motion of the user, such that the variation in motion parameters of the one or more bands is within a predetermined range; and generate, responsive to the determined adjustment to the one or more bands, a control signal to operate the at least one tensioning element. The system of claim 1, wherein the wearable breathing apparatus comprises a disengaging element configured to disengage the wearable breathing apparatus from the user upon receipt of a disengage signal. The system of claim 10, wherein the disengage signal is generated upon actuation of a disengage actuator, comprising any one of a clip and a button. The system of claim 1, further comprising an indication unit communi cab ly coupled with the controller, wherein the indication unit comprises any one or a combination of a display device, an audio device, and a haptic device and wherein the indication unit is configured to indicate data generated by the controller during an operation of the controller. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more bands are at least one of a belt, a vest, a harness, a band, a shirt, a t-shirt, shorts, a pair of pants, and a jacket. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is operatively coupled with an external device, wherein the external device comprises a computing device configured to execute instructions to host an application comprising an interface between the controller and a user of the external device. The system of claim 14, wherein the external device is configured to generate the control signal based on receipt of instructions from the user of the external device. Awearable breathing apparatus, comprising: one or more bands, and adapted to be removably fitted about a torso of a user, such that the one or more bands are adapted to correspondingly fit about one or more one or more portions of the torso of the user; at least one tensioning element configured on the wearable breathing apparatus, the at least one tensioning element operable to any one of constrict and expand the wearable breathing apparatus fitted about the torso of the user, wherein the any one of constriction and expansion of the wearable breathing apparatus affects a corresponding one of constriction and expansion of the torso of the user to regulate a breathing motion of the user. The wearable breathing apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a controller operatively coupled to the at least one tensioning element, and configured to operate the at least one tensioning element based on receipt of a control signal. The wearable breathing apparatus of claim 16, further comprising one or more sensors selected from any one or a combination of a pressure sensor, a tension sensor, a stretch sensor, a strain sensor, a distance sensor, an optical sensor, a motion sensor, an air pressure sensor, an airflow sensor, an infrared sensor, a user stress sensor, a carbon dioxide (CO2) sensor, oxygen sensor, heart rate sensor, blood pressure sensor, brainwave sensor, and oxygen saturation (SpCb) sensor. The wearable breathing apparatus of claim 16, wherein the one or more portions of the torso of the user comprises portions corresponding to a diaphragm of the user, a chest of the user and shoulders of the user. The wearable breathing apparatus of claim 19, wherein the one or more bands comprises a first band adapted to be fitted about the diaphragm of the user, a second band adapted to be fitted about the chest of the user, and third and fourth bands adapted to be fitted about first and second shoulders of the user.