Method, device and apparatus for measuring diaphragmatic functional parameters

A device for measuring one or more diaphragmatic functional parameters of a diaphragm of a human or an animal, said device comprising:

• means for processing ultrasound images of one or more moving parts of the diaphragm;
• said ultrasound images comprising at least 100 images per second of said one or more moving parts of the diaphragm;
• said means for processing being arranged and/or configured and/or programmed to measure:
• one or more movements of a given part of the diaphragm over time;
• and/or
• a propagation of a movement from said one or more parts of the diaphragm to one or more adjacent parts over time;
• and/or
• a propagation speed of a movement from said one or more parts of the diaphragm to one or more adjacent parts over time;
• and/or
• one or more movements of different parts of the diaphragm over time;
• and/or
• an amplitude of a movement of one or different parts of the diaphragm over time;
• a time separating the stimulation of the diaphragm from the occurrence of a movement of the diaphragm associated to said stimulation;
• and
• said means for processing being arranged and/or configured and/or programmed, based on one or more of those previous measurements, to determine one or more functional parameters of the diaphragm.

An apparatus for measuring one or more diaphragmatic functional parameters of a diaphragm of a human or an animal, said apparatus comprising:

• means for stimulating the diaphragm to generate a movement of one or more parts of the diaphragm;
• means for imaging one or more parts of the diaphragm over time, said means for imaging being arranged to:
• emit at least 100 unfocused ultrasound waves per second towards a region of the human or the animal comprising the one or more parts of the diaphragm to be imaged by the imaging means;
• detect ultrasound waves reflected and/or scattered by organic tissues of the human or the animal located in the region,
• process the reflected and/or scattered ultrasound waves over time to generate images;
• means for processing images previously acquired, said means for imaging being arranged and/or configured and/or programmed to measure:
• one or more movements of a given part of the diaphragm over time;
• and/or
• a propagation of a movement from said one or more parts of the diaphragm to one or more adjacent parts over time;
• and/or a propagation speed of a movement from said one or more parts of the diaphragm to one or more adjacent parts over time;
• and/or
• one or more movements of different parts of the diaphragm over time;
• and/or
• an amplitude of a movement of one or different parts of the diaphragm over time;
• a time separating the stimulation of the diaphragm from the occurrence of a movement of the diaphragm associated to said stimulation;
• and
• said means for processing being arranged and/or configured and/or programmed, based on one or more of those previous measurements, to determine one or more functional parameters of the diaphragm.