Device for measuring a user's oxygen-consumption

Abstract

There is provided a device for measuring a user's oxygen-consumption. The device includes a tubular member with a first tapered portion through which an exhalation of air enters into the device, a second tapered portion, and a constriction between the portions thereof. The devices includes a flow sensing mechanism in communication with the first tapered portion of the tubular member. The device includes an oxygen sensor in communication with the first tapered portion of the tubular member. The device is configured such that the oxygen sensor is passively supplied a portion of the exhalation of air by means of positive or negative differential pressure referenced between the first tapered portion and at least one of ambient air and the constriction of the tubular member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for measuring a user's oxygen-consumption, the device comprising:
 a tubular member including a first tapered portion through which an exhalation of air enters into the device, including a second tapered portion, and including a constriction between said portions thereof;   a flow sensing mechanism in communication with the first tapered portion of the tubular member; and   an oxygen sensor in communication with the first tapered portion of the tubular member, wherein the device is configured such that the oxygen sensor is passively supplied a portion of the exhalation of air by means of positive or negative differential pressure referenced between the first tapered portion and at least one of ambient air and the constriction of the tubular member.   
     
     
         2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flow sensing mechanism passively samples the exhalation of air by means of positive or negative differential pressure referenced between the first tapered portion of the tubular member and the at least one of the ambient air and the constriction of the tubular member. 
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flow sensing mechanism enables breath flow rate to be determined. 
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flow sensing mechanism is a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The device as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the pressure sensor is in communication with the constriction of the tubular member. 
     
     
         6 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flow sensing mechanism is a differential pressure sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the tubular member is asymmetrical. 
     
     
         8 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  further including a processor that determines a flow rate through the device from an output of the flow sensing mechanism, and wherein the processor receives input from the oxygen sensor to determine a change in oxygen concentration. 
     
     
         9 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  further including a wired or wireless system that enables the device to selectively upload data therefrom to one or more of a smart phone, a computer and a remote server. 
     
     
         10 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  further including an oxygen sensor micro mixing chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  further including an environmental sensor which outputs relative humidity data for at least one of flow and oxygen measurement correction. 
     
     
         12 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , further including a housing within which the oxygen sensor, the flow sensing mechanism and the tubular member are enclosed at least in part. 
     
     
         13 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the device further includes a processor which receives input from the flow sensing mechanism and the oxygen sensor, and wherein the tubular member, the processor, the flow sensing mechanism and the oxygen sensor are coupled together. 
     
     
         14 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the device is compact and portable. 
     
     
         15 . In combination, the device as claimed in  claim 1  and a facemask coupled thereto. 
     
     
         16 . A device for measuring a user's oxygen-consumption, the device comprising first and second portions through which an exhalation of air passes, a region of reduced cross-sectional area relative to that of and positioned between the portions of the device, a flow sensing mechanism and an oxygen sensor in communication with the first portion of the device, the oxygen sensor being supplied the exhalation of air by means of positive or negative differential pressure referenced between the first portion of the device and one of ambient air, the region of reduced cross-sectional area and the second portion of the device. 
     
     
         17 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the flow sensing mechanism is in fluid communication with the first portion of the device. 
     
     
         18 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the flow sensing mechanism passively samples the exhalation of air by means of positive or negative differential pressure referenced between the first portion of the device and one of the ambient air, the region of reduced cross-sectional area and the second portion of the device. 
     
     
         19 . A device for measuring a user's oxygen-consumption, the device comprising a venturi tube shaped to receive therethrough an exhalation of air, a flow sensor and an oxygen sensor, whereby the oxygen sensor is in fluid communication with the venturi tube and passively samples the exhalation of air via a positive or negative pressure differential referenced between the venturi tube and ambient air or referenced between two longitudinally spaced-apart regions of different cross-sectional area of the venturi tube. 
     
     
         20 . The device as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein at least one of: the first portion and the second portion are tapered; and the flow sensing mechanism is a pressure sensor.