Surgery – Diagnostic testing
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-20
2003-10-21
Winakur, Eric F. (Department: 3736)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
C128S903000, C128S904000, C128S921000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06635015
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to body weight management systems for subjects including humans and domestic animals. Such systems utilize diet-tracking systems, devices to measure energy output and compositions comprising satiety agents. Such systems are used by subjects to assist the subject in terms of making choices in terms of exercise and, or the consumption of foods, beverages and other nutritional products in order to remain on target for meeting their desired body shape, weight, and fitness level goals. The system can be used by the subject's care-giver or alternatively by the subjects themselves. The system may also be interactive.
Definitions:
“Authenticating Code”
Any form of identification provided by the subject to verify the authenticity as a subscriber to the body weight management system when attempting to access said system. Said authenticating code includes, but is not limited to a Personal Identification Number or PIN.
“Body Weight Management”
Managing a subject's body weight gains, losses and maintenance of a desirable weight, the fat to muscle ratio, fitness or physical condition, body appearance or shape and all combinations thereof.
“Carbon Dioxide Scrubbing System”
A system associated with indirect calorimetry that is designed to absorb carbon dioxide from respiratory gases for the end purpose of determining the volume of oxygen used by the subject.
“Computing Device”
Any programmable electronic device having sufficient memory capacity to store, retrieve and, or process data.
“Database”
Accessible accumulated information regarding foods and their nutritional value including caloric content attributed to particular elements making up the foods (fats, carbohydrates, fiber and the like); energy expenditure value estimates for specified physical activities including, but not necessarily limited to various exercises; data from diet-tracking system; data from activity monitoring device, calorimeter and any other data or information relevant to supporting a subject's body weight management goals and, or fitness.
“Data Processor”
Devices and, or electrical components capable of converting raw data to machine readable form and subsequent processing such as storing, updating, calculating, rearranging, manipulating or transferring data or information. This includes the computing device, physical activity monitor, calorimeter and, or a stand alone external equipment managed by the system provider.
“Direct Calorimetry”
The determination of heat produced by an individual during his or her bodily processes.
“Electronic Transmission”
The transfer or movement of data or information via radio frequency, optical, digital, either using hard wire or wire-less means.
“Energy Balance”
The relationship between the intake of calories attributed to the foods consumed by a subject and the number of calories expended or burned by the subject during daily physical activities.
“Foods”
All consumables including food stuffs, beverages and other substances or products that are capable of producing energy in the form of heat, otherwise referred to as calories.
“Hand Held Programmable Device”
A portable device with sufficient memory capacity to record and process the data, transferring the results for electronic transmission to the weight manager for analysis and optionally provide feedback to subject.
“Network Site”
Any system providing communication of information and, or data between at least two subjects, at least one subject and a remote communications system or computer, or between two or more computers, data managers, or communication systems.
“Indirect Calorimetry”
The determination of an individual's oxygen utilization at rest and at steady state exercise conditions wherein the anaerobic energy yield is very small and disregarded under such conditions.
“Metabolic Rate”
An individual's total daily energy expenditure including the resting metabolic rate, the thermogenic influence of food consumed and the energy expended due to activity above one's resting state.
“Network Provider”
An entity providing access to electronic communication systems, such as the Internet, for the purpose of conducting electronic communication.
“Non-electronic Recording”
A system for documenting events without using devices to create a electronic record of said events in a medium capable of recording such electronic record.
“Physical Activity Monitor”
Any device measuring the actual or estimate of a subject's energy expenditure due to the subject's activities that consume calories including, but not necessarily limited to motion during physical activities such as work and exercise and other activity undertaken by the subject.
“Portable Media”
Any tangible information source medium capable of being transported from one location to another that can be read, sensed or inferred by the receiving person and, or device. Examples include magnetic recording tape, compact discs, written journals or logs, electronic memory devices such as memory sticks and the like.
“Resting Metabolic Rate”
The minimum level of energy required to sustain the body's vital functions in the waking state at rest.
“Subject”
The individual(s) or animal(s) directly benefiting from using said body weight management system regardless whether said system is administered by the individual or in their behalf of the individual or animal by another. For purposes of this invention, the terms “subject” and “user” are synonymous.
“Subject's Data Profile”
This is the subject's personal information that is a combination of body mass index (weight, height and age), psychological, emotional and social aspects of the subject as well as the subject's body weight management goals.
“Weight Analysis System”
Any method that evaluates the change in a subject's weight as a result of determining the subject's actual or estimated energy either qualitatively or quantitatively using non-electronic means, software, or web based means, or review of diet tracking and energy expenditure logs and, or records and mixtures thereof.
“Weight Manager”
Any person, device and combinations thereof that uses analytical and, or diagnostic processes to analyze data for the purpose of providing feedback relating to body weight management by control of a subject's energy balance including energy intake and energy expenditure of a subject.
“Weight Management System Provider”
The person, company or organization supplying services, data bases and, or information processing needs as well as support software for the subjects to access said system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In developed countries around the world, there is a tremendous interest in personal fitness and wellness. At the same time there is a disturbing trend that people, including adults and children and domesticated animals or companion animals are becoming overweight. By overweight, it is meant that the subject has exceeded acceptable weight range and percent body fat generally considered as healthy determined by factors including, but not necessarily limited to age, height, sex, and body type. For example, over 50% of the human population in the United States is considered overweight, approximately 20% being obese. Obesity produces a wide range of health concerns including sleep apnea, orthopedic complications, arterial sclerosis, diabetes and heart disease. All these undesirable conditions contribute in development of an unsatisfactory quality of life and in some cases premature death.
Many studies have been conducted to identify the factors that contribute to being overweight. The main factors include high caloric density in foods, large portion sizes, diets that are rich in fat, decreasing amounts of exercise, high availability of food, increased numbers of eating occasions, low knowledge of actual foods and portions eaten by the consumer, lack of information on energy expenditure through normal daily activities and exercise, and eating stimulated by stress, hormonal shifts during the menstrual cycle for women, and hunger. A num
Howell John M.
McCrosky David J.
McDow-Dunham Kelly L.
The Procter & Gamble & Company
Winakur Eric F.
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