Method and apparatus for training respiratory muscles

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for training respiratory muscles comprising steps of setting a respiratory resistance, setting a training standard information, proceeding training procedure such that user performs at least one times of inhaling exercise or exhaling exercise under the respirator resistance so as to reach the training standard information. Alternatively, the present invention also provides apparatus for implementing the method. By means of adjusting the respiratory resistance for simulating breathing obstruction during the inhaling exercise or exhaling exercise, and setting inhaling or exhaling objective, the user could breathe according to the inhaling or exhaling objective, whereby the effect of training respiratory muscles could be achieved through the breathing exercises. We also use monitor devices on mask, mouth piece, pharyngeal muscle groups, abdominal or chest to ensure the trained muscle group function graded increment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for training respiratory muscles, comprising steps of:
 providing a mask body for covering air intake and exhaust areas on a face of a user and providing an airflow regulation component for generating an inhalation resistance so as to simulates respiratory tract obstruction thereby generating negative pressure within the respiratory tract during inhalation process;   setting a training standard information; and   performing a training process to allow the user, under the inhalation resistance, to achieve the training standard information by performing at least one inhalation or exhalation exercise.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 measuring a physiological parameter related to the inhalation and exhalation exercise during a breathing process; and   adjusting a training mode according to the physiological parameter throughout the breathing process.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 measuring the physiological parameter related to the inhalation and exhalation exercise when the user performs the breathing process at the specific frequency; and   determining whether to adjust the inhalation resistance according to a standard physiological parameter and the measured physiological parameter at the specific frequency corresponding to the breathing process.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the training mode is a breathing action based on the specific frequency, breathing depth, or pressure variation, or a training cycle according to a set number of inhalations and exhalation exercise, breathing depth or pressure variation. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the training process further comprises:
 detecting a parameter information during the user performing the at least one inhalation or exhalation exercise;   determining whether the training standard information is achieved according to the parameter information; and   generating a prompt message if the training standard information is achieved.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the parameter information is an air pressure information and the step of detecting the parameter information further comprises steps of providing the mask body that covers air intake and exhaust position on user's face, wherein the mask body comprises a pressure detecting element for detecting the air pressure information during each inhalation or exhalation exercise. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the parameter information is a waist circumference information, and detection of the waist circumference information further comprises step of providing a belt fastened around the user's waist wherein the belt is equipped with a sensor for detecting the waist circumference information during each inhalation or exhalation exercise. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the parameter is an electrical information, and detection of the electrical information comprises step of providing an electrical detection device comprising a plurality of electrode elements contacting with upper respiratory tract muscles of the user for detecting the plurality of electrical information related to the upper respiratory tract muscles. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the training standard information is determined by step of:
 inputting at least one set of breathing cycle patterns for simulating respiratory tract resistance or obstruction during sleep; and   observing variation of a physiological state to infer a degree of respiratory muscle contraction or exercise thereby determining the training standard information.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising step of counting a number of inhalation or exhalation exercise, or step of recording an inhalation volume. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the training standard information is based on the pressure information, the waist circumference information, or a combination of the pressure information and the waist circumference information, generated when the user performs at least one inhalation or exhalation exercise under the inhalation resistance. 
     
     
         12 . A device for training respiratory muscle, comprising:
 a mask body, utilized to cover air intake and exhaust position on face of a user;   an airflow regulating element, arranged on the mask body for generating the inhalation resistance so as to simulate respiratory tract obstruction during the inhalation exercise thereby resulting in a negative pressure within an respiratory tract;   a detecting element, utilized to detect a detecting information during an inhalation exercise or an exhalation exercise of the user; and   a processing device, configured to have a raining standard information set therein and electrically connected to the detecting element, wherein the processing device determines if the training standard information is reached according to the detecting information.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a prompt unit for displaying the training standard information and the resistance information corresponding to the amount of airflow. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a physiological detector for detecting a physiological parameter with respect to a breathing exercise during a breathing process under the inhalation resistance, wherein the processing device adjusts a training mode according to the physiological parameter. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a prompting unit arranged on the mask body for providing prompting signal of sound, color, vibration, or tactile sensation. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the detecting element is a plurality of electrode elements in contact with upper respiratory tract muscle groups or abdominal area of the user, for detecting a plurality of electrical information related to the upper respiratory tract muscle groups or abdomen, wherein the electrical information is the detecting information. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the detecting element is a pressure detecting element, arranged on the mask body for detecting an air pressure information during each inhalation or exhalation exercise of the user, wherein the air pressure information is the detecting information. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the mask body is connected to an air supply pipe utilized to provide oxygen, steam or a combination of the oxygen and steam, so as to provide gas needed for the training process. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the detecting element is coupled to the air supply pipe. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the airflow regulating element is coupled to the air supply pipe. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the detecting element further comprises a pipeline coupled to the air supply pipe or the mask body. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the detecting element is arranged on the mask body. 
     
     
         23 . A device for training respiratory muscle, comprising:
 a belt worn around a waist of the user, the belt further comprising a sensing element to detect a waist circumference information of the user during each inhalation or exhalation exercise; and   a processing device, configured to have a training standard information set therein, wherein the processing device is electrically connected to the sensing element, and determines if the training standard information is reached according to the waist circumference information.   
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , further comprising a mask body utilized to cover air intake and exhaust position on face of the user, wherein the mask body further comprises an airflow regulating element for generating an inhalation resistance. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 23 , further comprising a prompt unit for displaying the training standard information and the resistance information corresponding to the amount of airflow.