AUTOMATED HYPER-CARBONIC BREATH TRAINING APPARATUS

Abstract

Described herein is a hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus comprising a breathing apparatus, a control system, a power unit, and one or more sensors. The breathing apparatus sealingly engages with one or more of a nose or a mouth of a user, to receive an inhalation airflow and an exhalation airflow of the user. The control system comprises one or more modulation units operated by one or more actuators and adapted to controllably reduce a breathing airflow volume of the user by modulating a resistance applied to the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow of the user, one or more air pressure sensors, one or more real-time physiological sensors, an input/output unit, a control unit, a memory, and a communication module. The control unit is adapted to operate in multiple modes, including, a first control mode, a second stress test mode, a third stress test mode, and a fourth control mode.

Claims

1. A hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus for controlled reduction of breathing airflow volume of a user, comprising: a breathing apparatus sealingly engaging with one or more of a nose or a mouth of the user, to receive an inhalation airflow and an exhalation airflow of the user; a control system, comprising: one or more modulation units operated by one or more actuators, and adapted to controllably reduce the breathing airflow volume of the user by modulating a resistance applied to the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow of the user; one or more air pressure sensors for generating signals corresponding to air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow; and a control unit, adapted to: receive the signals corresponding to the air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow, determine an air pressure difference value based on a difference in peak value of the air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow, in a defined time period as defined by a cycle of inhalation and exhalation, compare the air pressure difference value with a target air pressure difference value, and correspondingly send a control signal to the one or more actuators, for controlled manipulation of the one or more modulation units, based on the comparison between the air pressure difference value and the target air pressure difference value.

2. A hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus for performing a hyper-carbonic breathing test, comprising: a breathing apparatus sealingly engaging with one or more of a nose or a mouth of the user, to receive an inhalation airflow and an exhalation airflow of the user; a control system, comprising: one or more modulation units operated by one or more actuators, and adapted to controllably reduce breathing airflow volume of the user by modulating a resistance applied to the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow of the user; one or more air pressure sensors for generating signals corresponding to air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow; and a control unit, adapted to: set a value of a target air pressure difference to a predefined low value, when the user begins to breathe with the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, receive the signals corresponding to the air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow, determine an air pressure difference value based on a difference in peak value of the air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow, in a defined time period as defined by a cycle of inhalation and exhalation, compare the air pressure difference value with the target air pressure difference value, correspondingly send a control signal to the one or more actuators, for controlled manipulation of the one or more modulation units, based on the comparison between the air pressure difference value and the target air pressure difference value, vary the target air pressure difference value by a predefined value after a predefined time period, repeat the aforementioned steps until a degree of closure reaches 100% or until the air pressure difference value reaches a predefined maximum value or until an end of the breathing test is reached or until a manual interruption is received from the user, and determine a breathing stress score based on achieved degrees of closure and/or achieved levels of air pressure difference value.

3. A hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus for performing a hyper-carbonic breathing test, comprising: a breathing apparatus sealingly engaging with one or more of a nose or a mouth of the user, to receive an inhalation airflow and an exhalation airflow of the user; a control system comprising: one or more modulation units operated by one or more actuators, and adapted to controllably reduce breathing airflow volume of the user by modulating a resistance applied to the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow of the user; one or more air pressure sensors for generating signals corresponding to air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow; and a control unit adapted to: set a value of a degree of closure of the one or more modulation units to zero, when the user begins to breathe with the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, receive the signals corresponding to the air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow, determine an air pressure difference value based on a difference in peak value of the air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow, in a defined time period as defined by a cycle of inhalation and exhalation, vary the degree of closure by a predefined value after a predefined time period, send a control signal to the one or more actuators, for controlled adjustment of the one or more modulation units, repeat the aforementioned steps until the degree of closure reaches 100% or until the air pressure difference value reaches a predefined maximum value or until an end of the breathing test is reached or until a manual interruption is received from a user, and determine a breathing stress score based on achieved degrees of closure and/or achieved air pressure difference values.

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. The hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit is adapted to: receive one or more real-time physiological parameter values; compare the one or more real-time physiological parameter values with corresponding one or more target physiological parameter values; determine a difference between the one or more real-time physiological parameter values and the one or more target physiological parameter values; and correspondingly set the target air pressure difference value or a target duration of inhalation or a target duration of exhalation, based on the difference between the one or more real-time physiological parameter values and the one or more target physiological parameter values.

9. The hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus as of claim 8, wherein one or more physiological parameters are selected from a group consisting of: (i) a heart rate, (ii) an exhaled airflow pressure, (iii) an exhaled airflow volume, (iv) an inhaled airflow pressure, (v) an inhaled airflow volume, (vi) a breathing minute volume, (vii) a SpO.sub.2 level, (viii) a Heart Rate Variability (HRV) level, (ix) a brainwave, (x) a blood pressure, (xi) a galvanic skin response, (xii) a degree of physical body (muscle) movement, (xiii) CO.sub.2 content of exhaled air, (xiv) O.sub.2 content of exhaled air, (xv) an exhaled airflow temperature, (xvi) an exhaled airflow humidity, (xvii) an exhaled airflow infrared heat radiation, (xviii) a body infrared heat radiation, (xix) an exhaled airflow speed, and (xx) an inhaled airflow speed.

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. The hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the breathing apparatus is one of: a breath training apparatus, a nasal respiratory resistance trainer, a mouth respiratory resistance trainer, an inhaler apparatus, and/or any such device capable of sealingly engaging with a breathing tube or with one or more of the nose or the mouth of the user, to receive the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow of the user.

18. The hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the breathing apparatus is a mask apparatus, comprising of a mask and a strap, such that the strap is engaged to cause the mask to be sealingly engage with the nose or the mouth of the user.

19. The hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus of claim 18, wherein the mask defines one or more modulation unit positioning holes for receiving and positioning the one or more modulation units thereon, one or more actuators positioning holes for receiving and positioning the one or more actuators thereon, one or more real-time physiological sensors positioning holes for receiving and positioning the one or more real-time physiological sensors thereon, one or more air pressure sensors positioning holes for receiving and positioning the one or more air pressure sensors thereon, and one or more control unit holding pockets for holding an Input/Output (I/O) unit, a power unit, and the control unit of the control system thereon.

20. The hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more modulation units is one of: (i) a slider-type valve, (ii) a rotation-type valve, (iii) a butterfly valve, (iv) a gate valve, (v) a ball valve, and (vi) any other types of controllable valve.

21. The hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more actuators is selected from a group consisting of: (i) a stepper motor, (ii) a servo motor, (iii) a linear actuator, or (iv) a hydraulic cylinder.

22. The hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit determines a breath score value based on a degree of closure of the one or more modulation units, and wherein the control unit determines a corrected breath score value as a function of: a) the breath score value, and b) a difference between the target air pressure difference value and the air pressure difference value.

23. (canceled)

24. The hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controlled manipulation of the one or more modulation units during inhalation is different relative to the controlled manipulation of the one or more modulation units during exhalation.

25. A method for controlled reduction of breathing airflow volume of a user, by a hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, the method comprising: generating, by use of one or more air pressure sensors of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, signals corresponding to air pressure generated by an inhalation airflow and an exhalation airflow of a user; determining, by use of a control system of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, an air pressure difference value based on a difference in peak value of the air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow, in a defined time period as defined by a cycle of inhalation and exhalation; comparing, by use of the control system of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, the air pressure difference value with a target air pressure difference value; and controllably manipulating, by use of one or more actuators of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, one or more modulation units, based on the comparison between the air pressure difference value and the target air pressure difference value, to controllably modulate a resistance applied to the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow of the user for the controlled reduction of the breathing airflow volume of the user.

26. A method of performing a hyper-carbonic breathing test, by a hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, the method comprising: setting a value of a target air pressure difference value to a predefined low value at an initial use of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus; generating, by use of one or more air pressure sensors of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, signals corresponding to air pressure generated by an inhalation airflow and an exhalation airflow of a user; determining, by use of a control system of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, an air pressure difference value based on a difference in peak value of the air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow in a defined time period as defined by a cycle of inhalation and exhalation; comparing, by use of the control system of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, the air pressure difference value with the target air pressure difference value; sending, by use of the control unit, control signal to the one or more actuators, for controlled adjustment of one or more modulation units to controllably modulate a resistance applied to the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow of the user, based on the comparison between the air pressure difference value and the target air pressure difference value; varying the target air pressure difference value by a predefined value after a predefined time period; repeating the aforementioned steps until a degree of closure reaches 100% or until the air pressure difference value reaches a predefined maximum value or until an end of the breathing test is reached or until a manual interruption is received from a user; and determining a breathing stress score based on achieved degrees of closure and/or achieved levels of air pressure difference value, during the duration of the breathing test.

27. A method of performing a hyper-carbonic breathing test, by a hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, the method comprising: setting, by use of a control system of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, a value of a degree of closure of one or more modulation units to zero at an initial use of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus; generating, by use of one or more air pressure sensors of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, signals corresponding to air pressure generated by an inhalation airflow and an exhalation airflow of a user; determining, by use of the control system of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, an air pressure difference value based on a difference in peak value of the air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow, in a defined time period as defined by a cycle of inhalation and exhalation; varying, by use of the control system of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, the degree of closure of the one or more modulation units by a predefined value after a predefined time period; sending, by use of the control system of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, control signal to the one or more actuators, for controlled adjustment of one or more modulation units to controllably modulate a resistance applied to the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow of the user; repeating, by use of the control system of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, the aforementioned steps until the degree of closure reaches 100% or until the air pressure difference value reaches a predefined maximum value or until an end of the breathing test is reached or until a manual interruption is received from the user; and determining, by use of the control system of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, a breathing stress score based on achieved degrees of closure and/or achieved levels of air pressure difference value.

28. (canceled)

29. The method of claim 25, comprising: determining, by use of one or more real-time physiological parameters sensors, one or more real-time physiological parameter values of the user; receiving, by use of a control unit of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, one or more physiological parameter values; comparing, by use of the control unit of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, the one or more real-time physiological parameter values with corresponding one or more maximum physiological parameter values; correspondingly setting, by use of the control unit of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, the target air pressure difference value, a target duration of inhalation, or a target duration of exhalation to a defined target air pressure difference value, a defined duration of inhalation, or a defined duration of exhalation respectively, in case the one or more real-time physiological parameter values is below the one or more maximum physiological parameter values; and correspondingly setting, by use of the control unit of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, the target air pressure difference value, the target duration of inhalation, or the target duration of exhalation to a default target air pressure difference value, a default duration of inhalation, or a default duration of exhalation respectively, in case the one or more real-time physiological parameter values is above the one or more maximum physiological parameter values.

30. The method of claim 25, comprising: determining, by use of one or more real-time physiological parameters sensors, one or more physiological parameter value of the user; receiving, by use of a control unit of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, the one or more physiological parameter values; comparing, by use of the control unit of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, the one or more real-time physiological parameter values with corresponding one or more target physiological parameter values; determining, by use of the control unit of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, a difference between one or more real-time physiological parameter values and the one or more target physiological parameter values; and correspondingly setting, by use of the control unit of the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus, the target air pressure difference value, a target duration of inhalation, or a target duration of exhalation based on the difference between the one or more real-time physiological parameter values and the one or more target physiological parameter values.

31. (canceled)

32. (canceled)

33. (canceled)

34. (canceled)

35. (canceled)

36. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein one or more physiological parameters are selected from a group consisting of: (i) a heart rate, (ii) an exhaled airflow pressure, (iii) an exhaled airflow volume, (iv) an inhaled airflow pressure, (v) an inhaled airflow volume, (vi) a breathing minute volume, (vii) SpO.sub.2 level, (viii) a HRV level, (ix) a brainwave, (x) a blood pressure, (xi) a galvanic skin response, (xii) a degree of physical body (muscle) movement, (xiii) a CO.sub.2 content of exhaled air, (xiv) O.sub.2 content of exhaled air, (xv) an exhaled airflow temperature, (xvi) an exhaled airflow humidity, (xvii) an exhaled airflow infrared heat radiation, (xviii) body infrared heat radiation, (xix) an exhaled airflow speed, and (xx) an inhaled airflow speed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. These and other details of the present invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which drawings:

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram depicting the connections between different components of a hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus.

[0017] FIG. 2a shows the flowchart of the method followed by a control unit in the first control mode.

[0018] FIG. 2b shows the flow chart of the method followed by a control unit in the second stress test mode.

[0019] FIG. 2c shows the flow chart of the method followed by a control unit in the third stress test mode.

[0020] FIG. 2d shows the flow chart of the method followed by a control unit in the fourth control mode.

[0021] FIG. 3a shows the flow chart for the method for determining the target air pressure different value, target duration of inhalation or target duration of exhalation based on real-time physiological parameter values.

[0022] FIG. 3b shows the flow chart for the method for setting the target air pressure difference value, target duration of inhalation or target duration of exhalation based on real-time physiological parameter value.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only one of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein. Example embodiments of the present invention are described below, as illustrated in various drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings.

[0024] Unless otherwise stated, the terms include and comprise (and variations thereof such as including, includes, comprising, comprises, comprised and the like) are used inclusively and do not exclude further features, components, integers, steps or elements.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram depicting the connections between different components of a hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus [100]. It may be appreciated that the hyper-carbonic breath training apparatus may be interchangeably referred to as a breath resistance training apparatus throughout the disclosure. FIG. 2a shows the flowchart of the method followed by a control unit [104c] in the first control mode. FIG. 2b shows the flow chart of the method followed by a control unit [104c] in the second stress test mode. FIG. 2c shows the flow chart of the method followed by a control unit [104c] in the third stress test mode. FIG. 2d shows the flow chart of the method followed by a control unit [104c] in the fourth control mode. FIG. 3a shows the flow chart for the method for determining the target air pressure different value, target duration of inhalation or target duration of exhalation based on real-time physiological parameter values. FIG. 3b shows the flow chart for the method for setting the target air pressure difference value, target duration of inhalation or target duration of exhalation based on real-time physiological parameter value.

[0026] The breath resistance training apparatus [100] is adapted to assist a person in performing hyper-carbonic breath trainings/exercises. The breath resistance training apparatus [100] is adapted to controllably modulate the resistance to the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow autonomously. The autonomous controllable modulation of the resistance to the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow is such that the breath resistance training apparatus [100] can achieve a target air pressure difference value or a target duration of inhalation or a target duration of exhalation. The autonomous controllable modulation of the resistance to the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow further enables breath resistance training apparatus [100] to perform breath stress tests to determine a meaningful diagnostic value of the quality and calmness of the user's breathing. The breath resistance training apparatus [100] includes a breathing apparatus [102], a control system [104], and a power unit [106]. The power unit [106] powers the control system [104] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100].

[0027] The breathing apparatus [102] sealingly engages with the one or more of a nose or a mouth of a user, to receive an inhalation airflow and an exhalation airflow of a user. The breathing apparatus [102] is one of a breath training apparatus (as disclosed in PCT/IB2022/052512), a nasal respiratory resistance trainer (as disclosed in PCT/IB2022/056911), a mouth respiratory resistance trainer, an inhaler apparatus, and/or any such device capable of sealingly engaging with one or more of a nose or a mouth of a user, to receive an inhalation airflow and an exhalation airflow of a user. In an exemplary embodiment of the breath resistance training apparatus [100], the breathing apparatus [102] may be sealingly engaged with one end of a breathing tube and the other end of the breathing tube is sealingly engaged with one or more of a nose or a mouth of a user.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment of the breathing apparatus [102] is a mask apparatus comprising of a mask and a strap, such that the strap is engaged to cause the mask to be sealingly engage with the nose or the mouth of the user. It would be obvious to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that the mask apparatus can be a nasal attachment with straps to keep the nasal attachment in place. Further, the mask defines one or more modulation unit [104a] positioning hole, one or more actuators [104b] positioning hole, one or more real-time physiological sensors [104e] positioning hole, one or more air pressure sensors [104d] positioning hole, and one or more control unit [104c] holding pockets, for receiving and positioning the one or more components of the control system [104] thereon. For ease in reference and understanding, concepts of the present disclosure hereinafter will be described as the breathing apparatus [102] been used as the mask apparatus, it may be obvious to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that the concepts may be applied to any other breathing apparatus [102], as disclosed in preceding paragraph.

[0029] The control system [104] is adapted to receive signals from sensors measuring air pressure value or physiological parameters value and then controllably modulate the modulation unit operated by one or more actuators [104b]. The control system [104] comprises of one or more modulation units [104a] operated by one or more actuators [104b], one or more air pressure sensors [104d], an input/output (I/O) unit [104f], one or more real-time physiological parameters sensors [104e], memory [104g], communication module [104h] and a control unit [104c].

[0030] The one or more modulation unit operated by one or more actuators [104b] is adapted to modulate a resistance applied to the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow of the user. Here, the controlled manipulation of the one or more modulation units [104a] during inhalation may be different relative to the controlled manipulation of the one or more modulation units [104a] during exhalation. For instance, in the exemplary embodiment of the mask unit being used as the breathing apparatus [102], the one or more modulation units [104a] is a motor-actuated valve installed on the one or more modulation units [104a] positioning hole of the mask apparatus. Although, the one or more modulation units [104a] are described as the motor-actuated valve in the disclosure hereinafter, it may be obvious to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that any other one or more modulation units [104a] is also within a scope of the present disclosure, including, such as but not limited to, one of a slider-type valve, a rotation-type valve, a butterfly valve, a gate valve, a ball valve or any other types of controllable valve. In the exemplary mask embodiment of the breathing apparatus, the one or more modulation units [104a] are received and positioned on one or more modulation unit [104a] positioning hole. The one or more modulation units [104a] is operated by one or more actuators [104b] selected from the group consisting of a stepper motor, a servo motor or a hydraulic cylinder. In the exemplary mask embodiment of the breathing apparatus, the one or more actuators [104b] are received and positioned on one or more actuators [104b] positioning hole.

[0031] The one or more air pressure sensors [104d] generates signals corresponding to air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow. The peak values during inhalation and exhalation by a user are used to determine an air pressure difference value. It would be obvious to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that the air pressure difference value may also be determined using air pressure values other than the peak values during inhalation and exhalation. The one or more air pressure sensors [104d] are connected to the control unit [104c] of the control system [104] such that the control unit [104c] is adapted to receive the signals corresponding to air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow. In the exemplary mask embodiment of the breathing apparatus, the one or more air pressure sensors [104d] are received and positioned on one or more modulation unit [104a] positioning hole. In another exemplary embodiment, the real-time one or more physiological sensors are suitably positioned to other locations on the user's body as an external attachment.

[0032] The one or more real-time physiological parameters sensors [104e] determines one or more real-time physiological parameter value of a user. The one or more real-time physiological parameters sensors [104e] is connected to the control unit [104c] such that the control unit [104c] is adapted to receive the one or more real-time physiological parameter values. The one or more real-time physiological parameters are selected from the group consisting of heart rate, exhaled airflow pressure, exhaled airflow volume, inhaled airflow pressure, inhaled airflow volume, breathing minute volume, SpO.sub.2 level, HRV level, brainwave, blood pressure, galvanic skin response, degree of physical body (muscle) movement, CO.sub.2 content of exhaled air, O.sub.2 content of the exhaled air, exhaled airflow temperature, exhaled airflow humidity, exhaled airflow infrared heat radiation, body infrared heat radiation, exhaled airflow speed and inhaled airflow speed. It would be obvious for a person ordinarily skilled in the art to use suitable one or more real-time physiological parameters sensors [104e] based on the selection of one or more real-time physiological parameters from the aforementioned group. In the exemplary mask embodiment of the breathing apparatus, the one or more real-time physiological sensors [104e] are received and positioned on one or more real-time physiological sensors [104e] positioning hole.

[0033] The control unit [104c] determines a breath score value based on a degree of closure of the one or more modulation units [104a]. Thereafter, the control unit [104c] determines a corrected breath score value as a function of breath score value and a difference between the target air pressure difference value and the air pressure difference value. The control unit [104c] is connected to one or more air pressure sensors [104d] and/or one or more real-time physiological parameters sensors [104e] to receive the signals therefrom. The control unit [104c] is also connected to the one or more actuators [104b] operating the one or more modulation units [104a] for controllable modulation of the resistance to the inhalation airflow and exhalation airflow. In the exemplary mask embodiment of the breathing apparatus, the control unit [104c] is received and positioned on control unit [104c] holding pocket.

[0034] The control unit [104c] of the control system [104] is adapted to receive the one or more real-time physiological parameter value; compare the one or more real-time physiological parameter value with a corresponding one or more maximum physiological parameter value; correspondingly set the target air pressure difference value or the target duration of inhalation or the target duration of exhalation to the defined air pressure difference value or the defined target duration of inhalation or the defined target duration of exhalation respectively, in case the one or more real-time physiological parameter value is below the one or more maximum physiological parameter value; and correspondingly set the target air pressure difference value or the target duration of inhalation or the target duration of exhalation to the default target air pressure difference value or the default duration of the inhalation or the default duration of exhalation, respectively, in case the one or more real-time physiological parameter value is above the one or more maximum physiological parameter value. The aforementioned steps are repeated thereafter.

[0035] The control unit [104c] is further adapted to: receive the one or more real-time physiological parameter value; compare the one or more real-time physiological parameter value with a corresponding one or more target physiological parameter value; determine a difference between the one or more real-time physiological parameter value and the one or more target physiological parameter value; and correspondingly set the target air pressure difference value or the target duration of inhalation or the target duration of exhalation, based on the difference between the one or more real-time physiological parameter value and the one or more target physiological parameter value. The aforementioned steps are repeated thereafter.

[0036] The control unit [104c] is adapted to operate in multiple modes, including, a first control mode, a second stress test mode, a third stress test mode, and a fourth control mode. One or more of the modes of operation of the control unit [104c] may be selected by the user, using known techniques.

[0037] In the first control mode, as is shown in FIG. 2a, the control unit [104c] is adapted to control the one or more modulation unit, for imparting hyper-carbonic breath training/exercises to a user. In the first control mode, the control unit [104c] is adapted to: receive the signals corresponding to air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow; determine an air pressure difference value based on a difference in peak value of air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow, in a defined time period as defined by a cycle of inhalation and exhalation; and compare the air pressure difference value with a target air pressure difference value and correspondingly, in a subsequent cycle of inhalation and exhalation, send a control signal to the one or more actuator, for controlled manipulation of the one or more modulation units [104a], based on the comparison between the air pressure difference value and the target air pressure difference value.

[0038] In a second stress test mode, as shown in FIG. 2b, the control unit [104c] is adapted to perform a breath stress test to evaluate the breathing performance of a user and determine a first breathing stress score which can be used for diagnostic purposes. In the second stress test mode, the control unit [104c] is adapted to: set the value of the target air pressure difference to a predefined low value, when the user begins to breath with the breath resistance training apparatus [100]; receive the signals corresponding to air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow; determine an air pressure difference value based on a difference in peak value of air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow, in a defined time period as defined by a cycle of inhalation and exhalation; compare the air pressure difference value with the target air pressure difference value and correspondingly, in a subsequent cycle of inhalation and exhalation, send a control signal to the one or more actuator, for controlled manipulation of the one or more modulation units [104a], based on the comparison between the air pressure difference value and the target air pressure difference value; vary the target air pressure difference value by a predefined value after a predefined time period; and repeat the aforementioned steps until the degree of closure reaches 100% or until the air pressure difference value reaches a predefined maximum value or until the end of the breathing test is reached or until a manual interruption is received from a user. The control unit [104c] is further adapted to determine a first breathing stress score based on the achieved degrees of closure and/or the achieved levels of air pressure difference value. Here, the predefined value by which the target air pressure is varied can vary based on difference between air pressure difference value and target air pressure difference value.

[0039] In a third stress test mode, as shown in FIG. 2c, the control unit [104c] is adapted to perform a breath stress test to evaluate the breathing performance of a user and determine a second breathing stress score which can be used for diagnostic purposes. In the third stress test mode, the control unit [104c] is adapted to: set the value of the degree of closure of the modulation unit to zero, when the user begins to breathe with the breath resistance training apparatus [100] and receive the signals corresponding to air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow; determine an air pressure difference value based on a difference in peak value of air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow, in a defined time period as defined by a cycle of inhalation and exhalation and vary the degree of closure by a predefined value after a predefined period; send control signal to the one or more actuator, for controlled adjustment of the one or more modulation units [104a]; and repeat the aforementioned steps until the degree of closure reaches 100% or until the air pressure difference value reaches a predefined maximum value or until the end of the breathing test is reached or until a manual interruption is received from a user. The control is further adapted to determine a second breathing stress score based on the achieved degrees of closure and/or the air pressure difference value. Here, the predefined degree of closure is an initial degree of closure when the user starts to breathe through the breath resistance training apparatus [100]. Thereafter, the predefined degree of closure can vary based on the air pressure difference value.

[0040] In the fourth control mode, as is shown in FIG. 2d, the control unit [104c] is adapted to control the one or more modulation unit, for imparting hyper-carbonic breath training/exercises to a user. In the fourth control mode, the control unit [104c] is adapted to: receive the signals corresponding to air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow and determine a duration of inhalation and a duration exhalation, based on the air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow; compare the duration of inhalation and the duration of exhalation with a target duration of inhalation and a target duration of exhalation respectively; and correspondingly, in a subsequent cycle of inhalation and exhalation, send a control signal to the one or more actuator, for controlled manipulation of the one or more modulation units [104a], based on the comparison between the duration of inhalation and the duration of exhalation, with the target duration of inhalation and the target duration of exhalation, respectively. It would be obvious to a person ordinarily skilled in the art to use other sensors for determining duration of inhalation and exhalation. For example, sensors such as (but not limited to) temperature sensor, infrared heat radiation sensor, humidity sensor, CO.sub.2 sensor, O.sub.2 sensor, airflow direction sensor, airflow speed sensor or any other suitable sensor can be used for determining duration of inhalation and duration of exhalation.

[0041] The target air pressure difference value, target duration of inhalation and the target duration of exhalation is a defined target air pressure difference value, a defined target duration of inhalation and a defined target duration of exhalation, respectively in case the one or more real-time physiological parameter value is below the one or more maximum physiological parameter value. Alternatively, the target air pressure difference value, target duration of inhalation and the target duration of exhalation is a default target air pressure difference value, default target duration of inhalation and the default target duration of exhalation, respectively in case the one or more real-time physiological parameter value is above the one or more maximum physiological parameter value.

[0042] The defined target air pressure difference value, the defined target duration of inhalation and the defined target duration of exhalation are defined by a user or calculated by a control unit [104c]. It will be obvious for a person ordinarily skilled in the art that the control unit [104c] can calculate the defined target air pressure difference value, defined target duration of inhalation and target duration of exhalation using an algorithm or artificial intelligence.

[0043] The memory [104g] is capable of storing the information and supplying information to the input/output unit [104f]. The memory [104g] stores the one or more real-time physiological parameters for a defined period, to enable the control unit [104c] to generate a time history of the one or more real-time physiological parameters of the user. Further, the memory [104g] stores the air pressure values generated by inhalation airflow and exhalation airflow, the air pressure difference value, duration of inhalation, duration of exhalation, target air pressure difference value, target duration of inhalation and/or target duration of exhalation for the defined period to enable the control unit [104c] to generate a time history of air pressure values generated by inhalation airflow and exhalation airflow, a time history of the air pressure difference value, a time history of duration of inhalation, a time history of duration of exhalation, a time history of duration of inhalation and/or a time history of target duration of exhalation. The memory [104g] is connected to control unit [104c] and the input/output unit [104f] such that data can flow to and from the memory [104g], as and when needed.

[0044] The input/output (IO) unit [104f] is an interface which displays information to a user and is adapted to receive inputs from a user. The input/output unit [104f] receives at least one of defined target air pressure difference value, defined target duration of inhalation, defined target duration of exhalation and defined one or more target physiological parameter value. Further, the input/output unit [104f] displays one or more of the air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow, the air pressure difference value, duration of inhalation, duration of exhalation, the target air pressure difference value, target duration of inhalation, target duration of exhalation, the one or more real-time physiological parameters values, the time history of the air pressure difference value, time history of duration of inhalation, the time history of duration of exhalation, time history of target duration of inhalation, time history of target duration of exhalation or the time history of one or more physiological parameters of the user. The input/output unit [104f] is connected to the control unit [104c] and the memory [104g] such that it can supply and receive data therefrom. The input/output unit [104f] is either of a graphical user interface (GUI), a digital interface, a haptic interface, and/or an analog interface. In the exemplary mask embodiment of the breathing apparatus, the input/output unit [104f] and power unit [106] are received and positioned on control unit [104c] holding pocket.

[0045] The communication module [104h] facilitates communication between the breath resistance training apparatus [100] and external devices. The communication module [104h] is adapted for sending and/or receiving a data to and from an electronic device, the data including one or more of the air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow, the air pressure difference value, duration of inhalation, duration of exhalation, the target air pressure difference value, target duration of inhalation, target duration of exhalation, the one or more real-time physiological parameters values, the time history of the air pressure difference value, time history of duration of inhalation, the time history of duration of exhalation, time history of target duration of inhalation, time history of target duration of exhalation or the time history of one or more physiological parameters of the user. The communication module [104h] is connected to the control unit [104c] such that the communication module [104h] receives the data from the control unit [104c] and transmits it to external devices through wired and/or wireless mode of transmission.

[0046] FIG. 2a shows a flowchart of a method of controlling a resistance to the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow by use of a breath resistance training apparatus [100], wherein the control unit [104c] is operating in the first control mode. The method followed by the control unit [104c] in the first control mode starts at step [202]. At step [202], the one or more air pressure sensors [104d] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] generates signals corresponding to air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow. At step [204], the control system [104] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] determines an air pressure difference value based on a difference in peak value of air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow. At step [206], the control system [104] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] compares the air pressure difference value with a target air pressure difference value. At step [208], the one or more actuators [104b] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] controllably manipulates the one or more modulation units [104a] based on the comparison between the air pressure difference value and the target air pressure difference value, to controllably modulate a resistance applied to the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow of the user.

[0047] FIG. 2b shows a flowchart of a method of controlling a resistance to the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow by use of a breath resistance training apparatus [100], wherein the control unit [104c] is operating in the second stress test mode. The method followed by the control unit [104c] in the second stress test mode starts at step [302]. At step [302], the control system [104] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] sets the value of target air pressure difference value to a predefined low value at the start of the initial use of the breath resistance training apparatus [100]. At step [304], the one or more air pressure sensors [104d] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] generates signals corresponding to air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow. At step [306], the control system [104] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] determines an air pressure difference value based on a difference in peak value of air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow. At step [308], the control system [104] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] compares the air pressure difference value with a target air pressure difference value. At step [310], the control system [104] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] sends a control signal to the one or more actuator, for controlled adjustment of the one or more modulation units [104a], based on the comparison between the air pressure difference value and the target air pressure difference value. At step [312], the control system [104] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] varies the target air pressure difference value by a predefined value after a predefined time period. Here, the predefined value by which the target air pressure is varied is based on difference between air pressure difference value and target air pressure difference value. At step [314], the control system [104] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] repeats the aforementioned steps until the degree of closure reaches 100% or until the air pressure difference value reaches a predefined maximum value or until the end of the breathing test is reached or until a manual interruption is received from a user. At step [316], the control system [104] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] determines a first breathing stress score based on the achieved degrees of closure and/or the achieved levels of air pressure difference value.

[0048] FIG. 2c shows a flowchart of a method of controlling a resistance to the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow by use of a breath resistance training apparatus [100], wherein the control unit [104c] is operating in the third stress test mode. The method followed by the control unit [104c] in the third stress test mode starts at step [402]. At step [402], the control system [104] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] sets the value of degree of closure of the modulation unit to zero at the start of the initial use of the breath resistance training apparatus [100]. At step [404], the one or more air pressure sensors [104d] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] generates signals corresponding to air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and exhalation airflow. At step [406], the control system [104] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] determines an air pressure difference value based on a difference in peak value of air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow. At step [408], the control system [104] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] varies the degree of closure of the modulation unit by a predefined value after a predefined time period. At step [410], the control system [104] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] sends a control signal to the one or more actuator for controlled adjustment of the one or more modulation units [104a]. Here, the predefined degree of closure is an initial degree of closure when the user starts to breathe through the breath resistance training apparatus [100]. Thereafter, the predefined degree of closure can vary based on the air pressure difference value. At step [412], the control system [104] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] repeats the aforementioned steps until the degree of closure reaches 100% or until the air pressure difference value reaches a predefined maximum value or until a manual interruption is received from a user. At step [414], the control system [104] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] determines a second breathing stress score based on the achieved degrees of closure and/or achieved levels of air pressure difference value during the duration of the breathing stress test.

[0049] FIG. 2d shows a flowchart of a method of controlling a resistance to the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow by use of a breath resistance training apparatus [100], wherein the control unit [104c] is operating in the fourth control mode. The method followed by the control unit [104c] in the fourth control mode starts at step [502]. At step [502], the one or more air pressure sensors [104d] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] generates signals corresponding to air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow. At step [504], the control system [104] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] receives the signals corresponding to air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow. At step [506], the control system [104] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] determines a duration of inhalation and a duration of exhalation, based on the air pressure generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow. At step [508], the control system [104] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] compares the duration of inhalation and the duration of exhalation, with a target duration of inhalation and target duration of exhalation. At step [510], the control system [104] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] sends, in a subsequent cycle of inhalation and exhalation, control signal to the one or more actuator, for controlled manipulation of the one or more modulation units [104a], based on the comparison between the duration of inhalation and the duration of exhalation, with target duration of inhalation and the target duration of exhalation. The steps [502]-[510] are repeated thereafter.

[0050] FIG. 3a shows a flow chart for the method for determining the target air pressure difference value, target duration of inhalation or target duration of exhalation based on real-time physiological parameter value. The method starts with the step [602] of determining, by use of one or more real-time physiological parameters sensors [104e], one or more real-time physiological parameter value of a user. At step [604], the control unit [104c] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] receives the one or more real-time physiological parameter value. At step [606], the control unit [104c] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] compares the one or more real-time physiological parameter value with a corresponding one or more maximum physiological parameter value. At step [608], the control unit [104c] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] correspondingly sets target air pressure difference value, target duration of inhalation or the target duration of exhalation to the defined target air pressure difference value, the defined duration of inhalation or the defined duration of exhalation respectively, in case the one or more real-time physiological parameter value is below the one or more maximum physiological parameter value. The steps starting from [602] are repeated thereafter. Or at step [610], the control unit [104c] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] correspondingly sets target air pressure difference value, target duration of inhalation or the target duration of exhalation to the default target air pressure difference value, the default duration of inhalation or the default duration of exhalation respectively, in case the one or more real-time physiological parameter value is above the one or more maximum physiological parameter value. The steps starting from [602] are repeated thereafter.

[0051] FIG. 3b show a flow chart for setting target air pressure difference value, target duration of inhalation or target duration of exhalation based on real-time physiological parameter value. The method comprises the step [702] of determining, by use of one or more real-time physiological parameters sensor, one or more physiological parameter value of a user. At step [704], the control unit [104c] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] receives the one or more real-time physiological parameter value. At step [706], the control unit [104c] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] compares the one or more real-time physiological parameter value with a corresponding one or more target physiological parameter value. At step [708], the control unit [104c] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] determines a difference between one or more real-time physiological parameter value and the one or more target physiological parameter value. At step [710], the control unit [104c] of the breath resistance training apparatus [100] correspondingly sets target air pressure difference value, target duration of inhalation, or the target duration of exhalation based on the difference between the one or more real-time physiological parameter value and the one or more target physiological parameter value. The steps [702] and [710] are repeated thereafter.

[0052] The method of controlling a resistance to the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow comprise a step of receiving, by use of an input/output unit [104f], at least one of defined target air pressure difference value, defined target duration of inhalation, defined target duration of exhalation and the one or more target physiological parameter value. The method of controlling a resistance to the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow further comprise the step of storing, by use of a memory [104g] of the control system [104], the one or more real-time physiological parameters for a defined period, to enable the control unit [104c] to generate a time history of one or more real-time physiological parameters of the user. Furthermore, the method of controlling a resistance to the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow comprises the step of storing, by use of a memory [104g] of the control system [104], the air pressure values generated by inhalation airflow and exhalation airflow, the air pressure difference value, duration of inhalation, duration of exhalation, target air pressure difference value, target duration of inhalation and/or target duration of exhalation for the defined period, to enable the control unit [104c] to generate a time history of air pressure values generated by inhalation airflow and exhalation airflow, a time history of the air pressure difference value, a time history of duration of inhalation, a time history of duration of exhalation, a time history of target duration of inhalation and/or a time history of target duration of exhalation.

[0053] The method of controlling a resistance to the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow further comprises the step of displaying, by use an input/output unit [104f] of breath resistance training apparatus [100], one or more of the air pressure values generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow, the air pressure difference value, duration of inhalation, duration of exhalation, target air pressure difference value, target duration of inhalation, target duration of exhalation, the one or more real-time physiological parameters values, the time history of air pressure values generated by inhalation airflow and exhalation airflow, the time history of air pressure difference value, the time history of one or more physiological parameters of the user, the time history of duration of inhalation, the time history of duration of exhalation, the time history of target duration of inhalation, the time history of target duration of exhalation.

[0054] Additionally, the method of controlling a resistance to the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow also comprises the step of sending and/or receiving, by use of a communication module [104h] of the control system [104], a data to and from an electronic device, the data including the air pressure values generated by the inhalation airflow and the exhalation airflow, the air pressure values generated by inhalation airflow and exhalation airflow, the air pressure difference value, duration of inhalation, duration of exhalation, target air pressure difference value, target duration of inhalation, target duration of exhalation, the one or more real-time physiological parameters values, the time history of air pressure values generated by inhalation airflow and exhalation airflow, the time history of air pressure difference value, the time history of duration of inhalation, the time history of duration of exhalation, the time history of target duration of inhalation, the time history of target duration of exhalation, the time history of one or more physiological parameters of the user.

[0055] Various advantages of the breath resistance training apparatus [100], as disclosed in the present disclosure, exist. The breath resistance training apparatus [100], as disclosed in the present disclosure, is useful and beneficial for hyper-carbonic breath training/exercises. The breath resistance training apparatus [100], as disclosed in the present disclosure, autonomously modulates the resistance to the inhalation airflow and exhalation airflow and therefore not requiring ongoing attention of the user. Such an autonomous modulation of the resistance to the inhalation airflow and exhalation airflow by the breath resistance training apparatus [100], as disclosed in the present disclosure, makes it easier for the user to do other work, leisure or sports related activities. The breath training apparatus, as disclosed in the present disclosure, trains breathing at controllable levels of resistance to inhalation airflow and exhalation airflow without the user needing to change the resistance to the inhalation airflow and exhalation airflow manually. The breath training apparatus, as disclosed in the present disclosure, utilizes the information measured using air pressure sensors [104d] or physiological parameters sensors [104e] to precisely modulate the resistance to inhalation airflow and exhalation airflow. The breath training apparatus, as disclosed in the present disclosure, evaluates the breathing performance of the user and provides insightful information about the health of the user.

[0056] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described hereinabove, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations, and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.

LIST OF COMPONENTS

[0057] 100Breath resistance training apparatus [0058] 102Breathing apparatus [0059] 104Control System [0060] 104aOne or more modulation units [0061] 104bOne or more actuators [0062] 104cControl unit [0063] 104dOne or more air pressure sensors [0064] 104eOne or more real-time physiological parameters sensors [0065] 104fInput/Output unit [0066] 104gMemory [0067] 104hCommunication module [0068] 106Power unit