INFANT MONITOR

• US 20100201524A1
• Filed: 02/08/2008
• Published: 08/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snuza Trust
• Original Assignee: Gregory John Gallagher
• Inventors: Gallagher, Gregory John
• Granted Patent: US 8,461,996 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/04 Babies, e.g. for SIDS detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4818 Sleep apnoea
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0211 Combination with medical sensor, e.g. for measuring heart rate, temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A method and device (10) are provided for monitoring regular movement of a human body (34), such as an infant'"'"'s body. The method includes attaching the device (10) to the body (34) with a protuberance (24) of the body in abutment with the body, so that the protuberance is deflected as the body moves regularly. The deflection of the protuberance (24) is monitored and an alarm (18,19,20,52) is activated if the pattern of deflection of the protuberance changes to a predetermined extent, e.g. if it is disrupted.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring regular movement of the body of a human subject such as an infant, said device comprising:

electronic circuitry including at least one alarm; and

attachment means for releasably attaching the device to the subject'"'"'s body;

characterised in that said device includes a resiliently flexible protuberance extending from the device; and

a transducer connected to the electronic circuitry and being configured to detect deflection of the protuberance;

said attachment means and protuberance being configured such that the protuberance abuts the body of the subject when the device is attached to the subject'"'"'s body and said circuitry being configured to activate the alarm in the event that a pattern of the detected deflection of the protuberance changes to a predetermined extent.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said device includes at least one sensor configured to monitor a condition, said circuitry being configured to activate said alarm in the event that a predetermined event is detected by the sensor.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said at least one sensor includes a sensor selected from a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor and a microphone.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said attachment means includes a clip that is attachable to an article of clothing.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that said protuberance extends from any part of the device towards the side on which the clip is disposed in a direction such that it abuts the body of the subject, in use.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said electronic circuitry includes at least one alarm that is configured to cause at least a part of the device to vibrate.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said electronic circuitry includes at least one alarm that is configured to emit sound.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said electronic circuitry includes, at least one alarm that is configured to emit light.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said electronic circuitry includes at least one alarm that is configured to transmit a signal to another device, upon being activated.

18. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said attachment means includes a clip that is attachable to an article of clothing.

19. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said attachment means includes a clip that is attachable to an article of clothing.

20. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said electronic circuitry includes at least one alarm that is configured to cause at least a part of the device to vibrate.

10. A method of monitoring regular movement of the body of a human subject such as an infant, said method including:

releasably attaching a monitoring device to the subject'"'"'s body, with a protuberance of the device in abutting contact with the body of the subject;

characterised by allowing regular movement of the subject'"'"'s body relative to the monitoring device to be transferred to the protuberance, causing the protuberance to deflect; and

activating an alarm if the pattern of deflection of the protuberance changes to a predetermined extent.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, characterised by keeping said protuberance in abutment with the subject'"'"'s body in the anterior abdominal region of the subject.

12. A method as claimed in claim 10, characterised by keeping said protuberance generally in continuous contact with the subject'"'"'s skin.

13. A method as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that said change in the pattern of deflection is that the interval between successive deflections of the protuberance exceeds a predetermined maximum period.

14. A method as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that said change in the pattern of deflection is that the interval between successive deflections of the protuberance is shorter than a predetermined minimum period.

15. A method as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that said method includes monitoring at least one conditions of said subject selected from its heartbeat, its body temperature, crying, and humidity of said subject'"'"'s environment, and said method includes activating the alarm in the event that any predetermined event is detected in said monitored condition.

16. A method as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that said attachment of the device to the subject'"'"'s body includes attaching the device to an article of clothing of the subject.

17. A method as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that said alarm includes at least one of a tactile alarm, an audible alarm, a visible alarm, transmission of a signal to a remote device, and a display.