Weight loss abstract
The visual fitness planner combines image morphing technology,
exercise programming, supplement sales, and motivational techniques;
into one product. Users begin by entering their current measurements,
measurement goals and current picture into the system, preferably
via a Web site. The picture is segmented into body components, and
each segment is morphed based upon the goal measurement and the
segment's responsiveness to weight loss using physiological tables
and formulae. The resulting modified "after view"image
is then returned to the user, preferably by online communications
such as e-mail. In the business use for the disclosed system, the
visual fitness planner helps the fitness industry overcome two of
their biggest problems: obtaining new members and retaining current
members. By showing members how they will look after following a
specific regimen, client may accurately visualize their future appearance,
resulting in increased client loyalty and satisfaction.
Weight loss claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for producing an image predictive of a person's appearance
resulting from following a weight loss and training regimen, said
method comprising the steps of: receiving a first image of a person
in a pre-regimen condition; receiving a first data set of body measurements
for said person; receiving a second data set indicating at least
one goal for results of said regimen; separating said first image
into a plurality of body segment images; modifying each body segment
image based upon said second data set and said first data set in
a manner relevant to predictable weight loss in each body segment
by morphing each body segment based upon predictable fat loss in
each body segment; reconstructing a full-body image by combining
said modified body segment images to produce a second digital photograph,
said second digital photograph representing a predicted appearance
of said person following said regimen.
2. A method for producing an image predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of receiving a first data
set of body measurements further comprises receiving a weight measurement
for said person.
3. A method for producing an image predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of receiving a first data
set of body measurements further comprises receiving at least one
body fat measurement.
4. A method for producing an image predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 3 wherein said step of receiving at least
one body fat measurement includes receiving a skin fold measurement
taken at the person's neck.
5. A method for producing an image predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 3 wherein said step of receiving at least
one body fat measurement includes receiving a skin fold measurement
taken at the person's biceps.
6. A method for producing an image predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 3 wherein said step of receiving at least
one body fat measurement includes receiving a skin fold measurement
taken at the person's triceps.
7. A method for producing an image predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 3 wherein said step of receiving at least
one body fat measurement includes receiving a skin fold measurement
taken at the person's chest.
8. A method for producing an image predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 3 wherein said step of receiving at least
one body fat measurement includes receiving a skin fold measurement
taken at the person's subscapula.
9. A method for producing an image predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 3 wherein said step of receiving at least
one body fat measurement includes receiving a skin fold measurement
taken at the person's abdomen.
10. A method for producing an image predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 3 wherein said step of receiving at least
one body fat measurement includes receiving a skin fold measurement
taken at the person's hip.
11. A method for producing an image predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 3 wherein said step of receiving at least
one body fat measurement includes receiving a skin fold measurement
taken at the preson's thigh.
12. A method for producing an image predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 3 wherein said step of receiving at least
one body fat measurement includes receiving a skin fold measurement
taken at the person's calf.
13. A method for producing an image predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of receiving a second
data set indicating at least one goal for results comprises receiving
a target weight value.
14. A method for producing an image predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of receiving a second
data set indicating at least one goal for results comprises receiving
a target body fat value.
15. A method for producing an image predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of modifying each body
segment image comprises the steps of: determining a fat layer thickness
surrounding each body segment based upon said first data set and
a third data set of values for each body segment: determining a
reduced fat layer thickness surrounding each body segment based
upon predicted fat loss in each body segment; determining a final
body segment size based upon said first data set and said reduced
fat layer thickness for each body segment.
16. A system for producing images predictive of a person's appearance
resulting from following a weight loss and training regimen, said
system comprising: a computing platform capable of executing application
software, said platform including a processor, computer-readable
memory and persistent data storage, an image input device, and an
image output device; and a computer program product disposed in
a computer readable media for receiving an image of a person receiving
a first set of data values representing current measurements for
said person, receiving a second set of data values representing
at least one goal measurement, and a predictive analysis function
for applying a third set of data values to each body segment of
said digital photograph image so as to create a predictive image
of said person based upon said current measurements by morphing
each body segment based upon predictable fat loss in each body segment,
said predictive image being available via said image output device.
17. A system for producing images predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 16 wherein said output device is a computer
monitor.
18. A system for producing images predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 16 wherein said output device is a printer
device.
19. A system for producing images predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 16 wherein said input device is a digital
camera.
20. A system for producing images predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 16 wherein said input device is a scanner.
21. A system for producing images predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 16 further comprising a computer network interface
including communications protocol suitable for client-server communications,
and suitable for receiving said first and second data sets and said
digital photograph input.
22. A system for producing images predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 21 wherein said output device comprises a
computer display on a client computer interconnected via a computer
network.
23. A system for producing images predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 21 wherein said output device comprises a
client computer printer device interconnected via a computer network.
24. A system for producing images predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 21 wherein said computer network interface
further comprises an Internet interface.
25. A system for producing images predictive of a person's appearance
as set forth in claim 21 wherein said computer network interface
further comprises an electronic mail server interface and communications
protocol.
26. A method for attracting and retaining clients and members of
health and fitness services such as weight loss clinics, packaged
food distributors, and fitness centers, comprising the steps of:
providing a system with a client interface; receiving an image of
a client, a set of client measurements and at least one goal measurement;
segmenting said client image into a plurality of body segment images;
modifying each body segment image by morphing each body segment
based upon predictable fat loss in each body segment to represent
a predictive image of each body segment, providing a predictive
image comprised of the modified body segment images, thereby allowing
said client to visualize actual results attainable through a regimen
of diet and exercise based upon actual body measurements and regimen
goals.
27. A method for attracting and retaining clients and members as
set forth in claim 26 wherein said set step of providing a system
with a client interface comprises providing a client interface accessible
and operable by an Internet browser computer via an Internet.
28. A method for attracting and retaining clients and members as
set forth in claim 26 wherein said step of providing a predictive
image comprises providing a predictive image file to an Internet
browser computer via an Internet.
29. A method for attracting and retaining clients and members as
set forth in claim 26 wherein said step receiving a set of client
measurements comprises receiving at least one fat measurement.
30. A method for attracting and retaining clients and members as
set forth in claim 29 wherein said step receiving at least one fat
measurement comprises receiving a skin fold measurement.
Weight loss description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the arts of visual image processing to
predict a subject's appearance after a given amount of weight loss.
This invention relates to the business methods employing a predictive
image visualization system to attract and retain clients of service
provides in the weight loss food program, fitness center, physical
therapy and sports medicine, and weight control medical industries.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT STATEMENT
This invention was not developed in conjunction with any Federally-sponsored
contract.
MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many people desire to decrease their body weight, especially their
body fat content Modem life styles include highly sedentary weekday
routines such as computer-based desk jobs, low-exercise commuting
routines such as transportation by private automobile, coupled with
high-fat, high-calorie food choices often eaten quickly or while
"on the run". Besides genetic tendencies, these factors
lead many people to be dissatisfied with their appearance.
The problem is so prevalent that billion dollar industries have
evolved to help people overcome their body dissatisfaction, including
packaged food programs such as Weight Watchers (TM) and Jenny Craig
(TM), fitness and workout centers such as Bally's (TM), and physical
therapy and sports medicine centers. This industry has also attracted
medical and osteopathic doctors to specialize in use the use of
diet, exercise, and sometimes prescriptive regimens to help their
clients and patients achieve their weight and appearance goals.
According to marketLooks.com (TM), there are currently over 24,000
health clubs in the United States with 40 million members generating
over 12 billion dollars in revenue each year. In 1995, health clubs
and private individuals spent 3.2 billion dollars on fitness equipment
alone, and these revenues are expected to reach 4.9 billion, a 38%
increase by the year 2001. In 1996, $500 million was spent on meal
replacements and protein drinks, and these sales are expected to
grow by 30% over the next five years.
However, many people fail to meet their goals, despite their efforts
and the amounts they spend. The two most common reasons people fail
in their attempt to change their body weight and appearance are
lack of understanding and motivation.
Client and Patient Education
Previous technologies, systems and methods do not adequately provide
for the education and understanding of how exercise and diet affect
the physiology of a person, especially taking into consideration
of the person's frame size or "build" and metabolism.
Some available technologies include the ability to scan a photograph
or import an image from a digital camera of a client or patient,
and to digitally alter the image manually to produce an estimate
of the client's future appearance.
Currently available systems and methods simply "shrink"
an image, such as by hand manipulation and editing of a digitized
photograph, also known as digital "retouching". However,
different body builds will store fat in different amounts in various
portions of the body, and different exercises will reduce and/or
firm up different body areas unevenly. Additionally, certain features
of the body will show little or no response to weight change. For
example, if the width of an image of a leg is decreased by a certain
percentage, the appearance of the knee will be changed. However,
knees generally do not have a significant fat layer, and thus represent
a minimum circumference at almost any weight. So, the resulting
image would predict an overall thin appearance to a leg which is
not physiologically achievable. Similar factors apply to other points
in the body, such as the width of shoulders and hips, and circumference
of joints. As this method is highly inaccurate, it does not provide
the level of education a client or patient needs to understand why
particular diet and exercises have been recommended, and how to
adjust and apply this information in the future.
In order to accurately predict a future appearance, many physiological
factors must be taken into account with diet and exercise goals.
Estimating the results of these changes is typically beyond the
technical and medical education and skill sets of most staffers
at weight loss packaged food program outlets and physical fitness
centers, and may be highly labor intensive and expensive to generate
by appropriately qualified health and medical professionals.
At present, there are a few resources available on the Internet.
One service, called MorphOver (TM) from eFit of New York City, N.Y.,
provides a service in which users e-mail a digital photograph in
JPEG format to their website without any body measurements, body
fat data, or indicated goals, and the service returns a "slimmed"
photograph file within a few weeks. The instructions indicate that
the original or "before" photograph must be of the subject
in dark clothing, in a certain position, and with a white background.
Another on-line service, this one offered by Sound Feelings Publishing
of Reseda, Calif., is similar in that it only requires submission
of a photograph without any data as to the subject's body fat, dimensions,
or goals. Additionally, the advertisement for this service states
that a digital photograph artist will spend at least two hours manually
manipulating the photograph.
Client and Patient Motivation
There are very few credible, non-surgical remedies for rapid weight
loss. Therefore, successful weight-loss programs require months
to even years of commitment and adherence to diet and exercise regimens
prescribed. If a client or patient becomes unmotivated or loses
confidence a program, he or she will not continue the program. Further,
this client or patient may have negative effects to the attraction
and retention of other clients and patients as they will report
to their friends and acquaintances that the program is another "scam"
or "doesn't work", or that a particular professional is
not competent. This can lead to a decline in memberships of businesses
which are membership-based.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a visual fitness planner
which accurately produces predicted images of a weight-loss client
or patient. There also exists a need in the art for this visual
fitness planner system and method to be operable by persons of usual
skill and education who are commonly employed in the package food
program and fitness center industries. Further, there is a need
in the art for this visual fitness planner to easily and quickly
produce intermediate images, such as weekly or monthly predictions,
in order to provide accurate and positive confidence reinforcement
to the client or patient, thereby enhancing the likelihood that
the client or patient will continue to abide by the program and
ultimately achieve his or her goals. There also exists a need in
the art for this visual fitness planner to be realizable both in
a networked or Internet-based form, or in a single workstation form.
Additionally, there exists a need in the art for a method of leveraging
a visual fitness planner to attract and retain clients and patients
in this industry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
System Overview
The Visual Fitness Planner is an Internet fitness profiler which
helps users gain insight into their fitness plan and projected outcome
and results. The Visual Fitness Planner combines image morphing
technology, exercise programming, supplement sales, and motivational
techniques into one product.
Users begin by entering their measurement goals and current picture
into the system, preferably via a Web site. The Visual Fitness Planner
analyzes the user's data, and produces a customized fitness plan
by applying a "morphing" process to the "before view".
The picture is sectionalized into body components which are highly
responsive to weight loss and components which are less responsive
to weight loss, and the amount of change in each body section is
determined by physiological tables and formulae. The resulting modified
"after view" image is then returned to the user, preferably
by online communications such as e-mail.
The Image Analyzer
The combination of three-dimensional ("3-D") morphing
technology with mathematical statistics is used to project fat loss
and muscle gain and to produce projected fitness outcomes. The user's
input data includes skin fold, circumference, height, weight, BMR,
and activity level. By entering the client's measurements into a
mathematical formula, the user's picture can be morphed into the
desired outcome. The combination of skin fold and circumference
measurement produces an accurate morphing outcome for each user.
Business Method for Use of the Visual Fitness Planner
The Visual Fitness Planner helps the fitness industry overcome
two of their biggest problems: obtaining new members and retaining
current members. People may decide to join or renew their membership
with a specific health club because they offer the Visual Fitness
Planner as a service. By showing members how they will look 10 pounds
thinner and giving them a clear-cut, understandable plan on how
to achieve it, businesses in this industry will generate a satisfied
and loyal clientele.
The Visual Fitness Planner is useful for nationwide health clubs,
diet centers, and exercise equipment manufacturers. Direct marketing
to Internet users may also be employed, as the technology and methods
lend themselves well to interfacing to the user via common web site
and browser technologies. As such, Internet users who are looking
to start a fitness program will have access to the Visual Fitness
Planner via the web site.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The figures presented herein when taken in conjunction with the
disclosure form a complete description of the invention.
FIG. 1 shows the arrangement of an Internet browser computer, digital
photography and scanning equipment, the Internet, and the Visual
Fitness Planner server.
FIG. 2 illustrates in detail the functional organization of the
Visual Fitness Planner server.
FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of a body portion to illustrate
the calculation of base circumference of a body part.
FIG. 4 sets forth an example of locating grids placed on a subject's
photograph to aid the image processor in locating each body part.
FIG. 5 shows the result of the placing of a grid over a single
body part during the process of finding edges of the body part.
FIG. 6 illustrates the result of the morphing to reduce the width
of the body part image.
FIG. 7 shows a simulated side-by-side "before" and "after"
comparison output from the system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The Visual Fitness Planner is preferably an Internet-based fitness
system and service, which helps the user meet his or her fitness
objectives. However, it may be implemented as a stand-alone workstation
for use within a health club facility or medical professional's
office.
In general, users enter their measurements, goals and current picture
into the system. The Visual Fitness Planner analyzes the user's
data, generates a daily fitness program to help the customer reach
his or her goal, and produces an after-fitness program image of
the user. By setting the goals at an intermediate level, intermediate
results can be projected and visualized
The system employs readily available image morphing technology,
driven by specialized technology to sectionalize the image into
body components and predict specific size changes based upon physiological
formulae and data tables.
System Overview
In the preferred embodiment, the user, health club advisor, or
medical professional may use the system via a web site using a web
browser, although in an alternate embodiment he or she may use the
system directly. FIG. 1 illustrates the basic system components,
including a browser computer (1) with Internet access (5), and a
digital camera (2) or digital scanner (4), and optionally a printer
(3). The computer can be any of several well-known and readily available
systems, such as IBM-compatible personal computers running Microsoft's
Windows operating system equipped with a web browser software such
as Microsoft's Explorer or Netscape's Navigator, and appropriately
equipped with a dial-up modem, cable modem, or Internet access via
a local area network interface. Alternate computers, software and
operating systems such as Apple iMac, Unix and Linux, may be used
equally well.
The system also includes a computer network (6), such as the Internet
or an intranet, and a Visual Fitness Planner ("VFP") server
(7). This server is preferably based upon any of the well-known,
readily available Internet web server platforms, such as an IBM-compatible
personal computer running Microsoft's Windows NT operating system
and an Apache web server. The user may point his or her web browser
to the address or Universal Resource Locator ("URL") of
the VFP server to access web pages and forms, such as HTML, XTML,
and Common Gateway Interface ("CGI"), all of which are
well-known within the art. The user may transfer his or her "before"
photo in the form of any of many well-known digital photograph formats,
such as Joint Photographic Experts Group ("JPEG"), bitmap
("BMP") or tagged-image file format ("TIFF")
either by attachment to an e-mail message, retrieval by a Java client
script (supplied by the VFP server), or by file transfer protocol
("FTP").
FIG. 2 shows the functional organization of the VFP server system
(7), which includes a web content server (22), a mathematical analyzer
(23) and an image processor (24). In the preferred embodiment, the
VFP server system interfaces directly to the internet using any
of the well-known methods, such as by modem or local area network
The image processor (24) is described in more detail infra, as is
the mathematical analyzer. If the system is implemented as a stand-alone
workstation, it may also include a Graphical User Interface ("GUI")
function for user control and input, such as a web browser software
or custom GUI program. Additionally, for stand-alone use, a digital
camera or scanner may be added to the system via a Universal Serial
Bus ("USB") port, parallel port, or other common computer
interface.
In the preferred embodiment, the user accesses the VFP planner
(7) via an Internet (6) arrangement, using his or her browser computer
(1). The web content server (22) transmits web pages, such as HTML
and CGI forms, to the user to establish an account session and verify
the user's identity, which are viewed and completed using a web
browser (20). The user may then enter specific goals and measurement
data, and submit a "before" photographic image file. The
goals and measurements may be entered using a client-side Java applet,
Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format ("PDF"), or CGI
form, and the photo file (21) may be uploaded to the VFP server
by e-mail attachment, FTP, or a client-side script.
The user's measurements and goals are received by the mathematical
analyzer (23), wherein certain formulae and data tables are applied
to determine the amount of exercise to achieve the weight loss goal,
and the amount of circumferential reduction in each body section.
The user's "before" image file (21) is received by the
image processor (24), as are the body segment circumference changes
from the mathematical analyzer (23). The image processor (24) segments
the photo into body sections, applies the reduction changes by morphing
the photo, and produces the "after" image, which is then
returned to the user by the web content server (22) via a web page
or e-mail attachment.
In the alternate, stand-alone embodiment, the "after"
image is returned to the GUI (25) so that the operator and or client
or patient may view the projected results.
In practice, the goals may be adjusted to produce the desired results
and/or intermediate results, thereby providing a fill fitness plan
needed to achieve the user's or client's goals.
Mathematical Analysis
The Visual Fitness Planner requires measurements to be taken in
order to produce a customized fitness plan. The measurements needed
include: (1) The circumferences of the neck, arm, chest, waist,
hips, thigh, and calf. (2) The Skin fold of the neck, biceps, triceps,
chest, scapula, abdomen, low back, high, thigh, hamstring, and calf.
(3) The user's height, weight, and age. (4) Percent desired of fat.
By taking the skin fold and circumference measurements, the Visual
Fitness Planner utilizes the following new formula to find the circumference
of the fat layer and predict the reduction in circumference change
for a particular body segment, all units are centimeters unless
otherwise noted:
where C.sub.change is the change in circumference of a body part,
C.sub.after is the final circumference of the body part after fat
loss, and C.sub.before is the circumference of the body part at
the beginning of the program.
FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of a body par, such as an upper
arm or thigh, including a layer of fat with skin (30), a layer of
muscle (31), and an underlying bone structure (32). The muscle and
bone structure represent the component of the body part which will
not be heavily affected by fat loss. Thus, the circumference of
the body part without fat is calculated as: ##EQU1## where C.sub.no
fat represents the minimum circumference of a body part with no
fat, .pi. represents an approximation the constant "pi",
such as 3.14, C.sub.before represents the starting circumference
(current circumference) of the body part, and "skid.sub.13
fold_measurement" is the measurement of standard skin fold.
All units are preferably in centimeters, although the formula holds
for any unit of measure.
The body part circumference after a desired percentage fat loss
is calculated: ##EQU2## where C.sub.after is the circumference of
the body part after the desired fat loss, P is the amount of desired
fat loss expressed in decimal form (i.e. 10% desired loss would
be 0.10), and V is a constant based upon the body part being analyzed.
The V constant is drawn from a table, and provides the variability
to account for different body parts being more responsive to weight
loss than others. For example, a body part which is highly responsive
to weight loss would have a V value close to unity, while other
less responsive body parts would have a greater than unity V value.
TABLE 1 shows the preferred values for V.
TABLE 1 Adjustment Variable for Each Body Part Body Part Skin Fold
Rank Order Variable (V) neck 3 mm 9 1 biceps 4 mm 8 1.1 triceps
14 mm 6 1.5 chest 21 mm 5 1.8 subscapula 19 mm 4 1.7 abdomen 30
mm 1 2.5 hip 24 mm 3 1.9 thigh 27 mm 2 2.0 calf 13 mm 7 1.2
The variable number is dependent on the skin fold of each body
part. The rank order gives the ability to place the skin fold measurements
in an order that the variable members can be assigned By ranking
the ski fold measurements from greatest to least the variable numbers
can be assigned. This table can change depending on where a person
stores their fat.
Method of Producing the Predicted Image
In the preferred embodiment, the following method is implemented
in software. The programming language is of little consequence,
as the required calculations can be performed by most well-known
languages, including "C", Java, and "C++". The
method comprises the steps of: (a) Receive from intake data sheet
all user information needed for analysis (ie. skin fold measurements,
age, height, weight, desired loss amount), and receive "before"
photographic image file. (b) Scale real-life measurements to picture
size. (c) Place photograph on grid. (d) Convert intake data to reduction
on photograph utilizing formula (e) Place locating grids of individual
body parts on "before" image. (f) Find outline of the
individual body parts within locating grids. (g) Apply reduction
of the individual body parts using morphing function. (h) Applying
original "before" photo next to reduced "after"
photo.
In the first step, receipt of data from intake data sheet, the
software receives the user's name, age, current weight, height,
and circumference measurements for the neck, arm chest, abdomen,
hips, thigh, and calf The data also includes skin fold measurements
for the neck, biceps, triceps, chest, subscap, abdomens, hips, thigh,
and calf The data further includes the desired percent body fat
goal.
In the second step, the measurements are scaled to the picture
size by talking the person's height and dividing by picture height.
Then, this ratio is multiplied by all other real life measurements
to produce scaled measurements. For example, if a person is actually
5 feet 9 inches (69 inches), and the photograph submitted represents
a 7 inch tall image, the scaling ratio is 69/7=9.8. So, all real-life
measurements would be multiplied by the inverse of the scaling ratio
to yield a scaled measurement set.
In the third step, a locating grid is used to identify each body
part, as shown in FIG. 4. Locating grids are placed on the arms
(40), hips and/or buttocks (42), abdomen (43), thigh (44), calf
(45), chest (47), and neck (46). In the preferred embodiment, a
feature extraction algorithm may be used to automatically find each
body portion, aided by the placement of arrows (49) on a background
behind the subject at the time of taking the photograph. Alternatively,
the body-part identifying grids may be placed on the photo manually
through a graphical user interface. Both implementations are within
the skill of the art of software engineers with expertise in this
type of image processing.
In the fourth step, a grid is overlaid on each body segment image,
as shown in FIG. 5. The grid (50) is useful in the process in finding
the edges (51) of the image of the body part, and in applying a
percent reduction to the image.
In the fifth step, the reductions for each body segment are applied
using an image morphing function, as shown in FIG. 6 with the new
edges (60) of the body part image. This yields an "after"
image in which each body part has been analytically reduced based
upon each part's responsiveness to fat loss, the estimated beginning
fat layer thickness based upon the skin fold measurements, and the
desired amount of reduction of fat.
Finally, simulated "before" (70) and "after"
(71) images are displayed side-by-side for ease of comparison, such
as shown in FIG. 7. Thus, a more accurate system and method are
provided which scales the current image of the client or patient
on a segmented basis using physiological calculations.
While the disclosure contained herein has set forth a preferred
embodiment of the invention, and the fundamental components used
within the invention are well known within the art, it will be appreciated
by those who are skilled in the art that variations to the combination
of elements and steps disclosed can be made without departing from
the scope and spirit of the invention. |