Unobtrusive measurement system for bioelectric signals
First Claim
1. An incubator comprising:
- a base;
an upper housing arranged on the base;
a pad arranged in the housing and upon which an infant, who produces a bioelectric field to be measured, is adapted to be supported;
a plurality of electrical sensors integrated into the pad as an array, at least one of the plurality of electrical sensors being constituted by a capacitive-type electrical sensor; and
a controller located outside the housing and electrically linked to each of the plurality of electrical sensors, wherein activation of one or more of the plurality of electrical sensors enables the bioelectric field to be unobtrusively measured.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for unobtrusively measuring bioelectric signals developed by an individual includes multiple sensors, one or more of which constitutes a capacitive sensor, embedded into or otherwise integrated into an object, such as a chair, bed or the like, used to support the individual. In one preferred embodiment, multiple capacitive sensors are incorporated into a pad provided in an incubator for unobtrusively measuring bioelectric signals from a baby under supervised care. In any case, the object serves as mounting structure that holds the sensors in place. The sensors are preferably arranged in the form of an array, with particular ones of the sensors being selectable from the array for measuring the bioelectric signals which are transmitted, such as through a wireless link, for display and/or analysis purposes.
114 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An incubator comprising:
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a base;
an upper housing arranged on the base;
a pad arranged in the housing and upon which an infant, who produces a bioelectric field to be measured, is adapted to be supported;
a plurality of electrical sensors integrated into the pad as an array, at least one of the plurality of electrical sensors being constituted by a capacitive-type electrical sensor; and
a controller located outside the housing and electrically linked to each of the plurality of electrical sensors, wherein activation of one or more of the plurality of electrical sensors enables the bioelectric field to be unobtrusively measured. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of sensing bioelectric signals from an infant producing a bioelectric field in an incubator having a housing including an upper portion comprising:
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supporting a body portion of the infant upon a pad having a plurality of integrated electrical sensors within the housing, with at least one of the plurality of electrical sensors being constituted by a capacitive-type sensor;
measuring bioelectric signals with the plurality of electrical sensors; and
transmitting the bioelectric signals associated with the bioelectric field to a controller. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification