Optical monitor for sudden infant death syndrome

• US 20020030154A1
• Filed: 05/02/2001
• Published: 03/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rocky Mountain Biosystems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Rocky Mountain Biosystems, Inc.
• Inventors: Marchitto, Kevin S., Flock, Stephen T.
• Granted Patent: US 6,492,634 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/221
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0233 Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea

Abstract

The present invention provides devices and/or methods of monitoring extremely small movements associated with infant breathing and heart rate, therefore monitoring sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Provided is a system for monitoring movement of an infant, comprising: a light source which produces radiant energy; an optical device; and an imaging device. Further provided is a method of monitoring movement of an infant, comprising the steps of: producing radiant energy by a light source; coupling said radiant energy into an optical device so as to create a matrix of images; projecting said images into a field of interest; and detecting movement of said infant using an imaging device.

Claims

1. A sudden infant death syndrome monitoring system, comprising:

a sensitive optical rangefinder, wherein said optical rangefinder senses the movement of a spot of light projected onto an infant so as to monitor sudden infant death syndrome.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a means for continually monitoring said signals.

10. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

software capable of analyzing data.

11. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a means for transmitting a signal to a receiver when an apnea event is detected.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said receiver is selected from the group consisting of an alarm, a computer and a telephone line.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said radiant energy is selected from the group consisting of visible or near-infrared.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein said light source is selected from the group consisting of a laser, a superluminescent infrared-light-emitting diode, a diode laser and an incandescent bulb.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein said optical device is selected from the group consisting of a passive or active optical device.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein said optical device is a diffractive optic.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein said light source is a superluminescent infrared-light-emitting diode and said imaging device is a sensitive photo-detector.

3. A method of monitoring movement of an infant, comprising the steps of:

producing radiant energy by a light source;

coupling said radiant energy into an optical device so as to create a matrix of images;

projecting said images into a field of interest; and

detecting movement of said infant using an imaging device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said radiant energy is selected from the group consisting of visible or near-infrared.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein said light source is selected from the group consisting of a laser, a superluminescent infrared-light-emitting diode, a diode laser and an incandescent bulb.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein said optical device is selected from the group consisting of a passive or active optical device.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein said optical device is a diffractive optic.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein said imaging device is a charge-coupled device.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein said light source is a superluminescent infrared-light-emitting diode and said imaging device is a sensitive photo-detector.

18. The system of claim 3, wherein said imaging device is a charge-coupled device.

13. A system for monitoring movement of an infant, comprising:

a light source which produces radiant energy;

an optical device; and

an imaging device.

20. The system of clam 13, further comprising a sensitive acoustic sensor.

21. The system of clam 13, wherein said field is a crib.