Devices and method for producing measuring data relating to the movements of the abdominal wall

• US 20040015059A1
• Filed: 06/12/2003
• Published: 01/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Friendly Sensors AG
• Original Assignee: Friendly Sensors AG
• Inventors: Friedrichs, Arnd
• Granted Patent: US 6,926,679 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/304
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/02 Foetus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/043 in a linear array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1107 Measuring contraction of parts of the body, e.g. organ, muscle apparatus for measuring work or force in general G01L
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for producing measuring data relating to the movements of the abdominal wall of a person, comprising at least one first pair of sensor units which are configured for detachably fixing to the skin on an abdominal area of a person, a first distance apart; and a measuring device which is connected to said first pair of sensor units and which is configured for picking up signals of the sensor units that can be evaluated electrically and for producing a first distance signal corresponding to the first distance and to changes thereto. An evaluating unit is connected downstream of said measuring device. This evaluating unit is configured for evaluating pulsed and/or waved changes in the first distance signal, in such a way that non-periodical or periodical signal changes lasting at least 10 seconds, preferably more than 30 seconds, are detected, distinguished from periodical changes caused by human breathing by their frequency, amplitude or signal form, and output in the form of a display signal which can be displayed electronically or evaluated further.

Claims

1. A device for generating measurement data relating to movements of the abdominal wall (11) of a person, comprising at least one first pair of sensor units (12, 14) which are configured for detachable fixing to the skin on an abdominal area (13, 15) of the person, spaced apart by a first distance (L1), and a measuring device (20) connected to the first pair of sensor units and configured for detecting signals of the sensor units which can be electrically evaluated, and for generating a first distance signal corresponding to the first distance (L1) and changes thereto, characterized in that an evaluation unit (22, 28) is connected to the output of said measuring device and is configured for evaluating pulsed and/or wave-form changes in the first distance signal, in such a way that non-periodic or periodic signal changes lasting at least 10 seconds, preferably at least 30 seconds, can be detected, can be distinguished from periodic changes caused by human breathing according to their frequency, amplitude and/or signal form, and can be output in the form of a display signal which can be electronically displayed or evaluated further.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the evaluation unit includes means for detecting a signal form representing the change in the first distance signal, the signal-form-detecting means being so configured that the display signal is output as a reaction

either to a change-induced signal form which is only symmetrical in its time progression,

or to a change-induced signal form which is only asymmetrical in its time progression,

or to a change-induced signal form which is symmetrical or asymmetrical in its time-progression.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by at least one second pair (16, 18) of sensor units configured for detachable fixing to the skin on the abdominal area of the person and spaced apart by a second distance (L2), a first line corresponding to the first distance (L1) and connecting the first pair of sensor units being arranged at a predetermined angle to a second line corresponding to the second distance and connecting the second pair of sensor units.

4. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that the predetermined angle is greater than 0°

and is preferably a right-angle.

5. A device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the first and second pairs of sensor units are provided to be so attachable that the first line and the second line cross on the abdominal area (11).

6. A device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the evaluation unit is configured for summation or subtraction of the first distance signal with respect to a second distance signal output by the second pair of sensor units.

7. A device according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized by means for detecting a spatial and temporal expansion of a movement of the abdominal wall from an evaluation of the first distance signal and at least one second distance signal output by the at least one second pair of sensor units.

8. A device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the evaluation unit is configured for additional generation of a breathing display signal which can be generated as a reaction to changes of the first distance signal determined by human breathing detected according to frequency, amplitude and/or signal form.

9. A device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by analysis and storage means (26) associated with the evaluation unit and configured for electronic storage of the display signal and for detecting a time interval between successive display signals.

10. A device according to claim 9, characterized by an alarm unit associated with the analysis and storage means which is configured for comparing the detected time interval with a predetermined, preset time value and for outputting an alarm signal if a predefined number of successive detected time intervals falls below the preset time value.

11. A device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the measuring device and the evaluation unit are components of a portable, in particular battery-operated unit (10) which is preferably connectable, by means of a wireless data connection (24), for transmission of the display signal and/or further signals to a stationary base unit.

12. A device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the evaluation unit is additionally configured for detection of a characteristic change in the first and/or second distance signal caused by a foetal child movement in the abdomen of the person and manifested by a characteristic movement of the abdominal wall.

13. A device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by means for the automated dispensing of a medication, in particular for intravenous introduction of the medication into a vessel of the person, the introduction means being connected to the evaluation unit and being so configured that administering of a medication, in particular contraction-inhibiting medication and/or analgesic, can be triggered as a reaction to the case when successive signal changes fall below a predetermined, preset time interval.

14. A method for generating measurement data relating to movements of the abdominal wall of a person, in particular for operating the device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by the steps:

continuous measurement of a first distance between two first sensors detachably fixed to the skin of the person on an abdominal area;

evaluation of electronic signal changes of a first measurement signal corresponding to changes of the first distance, and

outputting of a display signal as a reaction to an electronic signal change with an uninterrupted duration of at least 10 seconds.

15. A method according to claim 14, characterized by the steps:

detection of periodic durations and signal patterns corresponding to changes of the first distance in a breathing movement of the abdominal wall, and outputting of a breathing display signal as a reaction thereto.

16. A method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized by the steps:

continuous measurement of at least one second distance between two second sensors detachably fixed to the skin of the person on the abdominal area,

evaluation of electronic signal changes of the second measurement signal corresponding to changes of the second distance, and

mathematical combination of the first and second measurement signals to produce a difference signal, a sum signal or a combined signal indicating a temporal and local progression of a movement along the abdominal wall.