Apparatus for measuring acute stress

US7918780B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Procter & Gamble Company · US

Inventors

• Magda El-Nokaly · Cincinnati, US
• Michael Lee Hilton · Lancaster, US
• Kevin Lee Doyle · Lancaster, US
• Daniel Raymond Schaiper · Hamilton, US
• Abel Saud · Cincinnati, US
• Diane Lynn Prickel · Batesville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 14, 2006
• Grant date: Apr 5, 2011
• Expiry date: Feb 3, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B5/165
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided to quantify psychological and physiological components to measure acute stress in humans, in which a stimulus can be applied to the test subject's environment during the test. The method involves multiple stress/relaxation intervals while physiological measurements are taken and “measured,” and involves questionnaires that are answered after each of the intervals to “measure” the test subject's psychological state. A computerized testing apparatus acquires the physiological measurements, and also is used by the test subject in answering the questionnaires. The “stimulus” can be a fragrance, flavor, product, or task, and a “blank stimulus” is normally used during one of the stress intervals.