INTERACTIVE BABY FEEDING BOTTLE

• US 20110036801A1
• Filed: 04/22/2009
• Published: 02/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Johnson, Mark Thomas, Kohlrausch, Armin Gerhard, Schijndel, Nicolle Hanneke van, Krans, Martijn, Aarts, Ronaldus Maria
• Granted Patent: US 8,482,416 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 215/11.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 9/00 Feeding-bottles in general

Abstract

An interactive baby bottle with an electronic unit is disclosed. The electronic unit comprises a sensor unit configured to sense the heart beat of a person bottle feeding a baby and an actuator unit configured to transmit the sensed heart beat to the baby. The disclosed interactive baby bottle can facilitate the drinking process, since it allows bottle feeding to become an experience of connectedness between the baby and the person bottle feeding the baby thereby approaching breast feeding.

Claims

1. An interactive baby bottle with an electronic unit comprising:

a sensor unit configured to sense the heart beat of a person bottle feeding a baby; and

an actuator unit configured to transmit the sensed heart beat to the baby.

2. The interactive baby bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator unit is configured to transmit the sensed heart beat of the person to the baby in real-time.

3. The interactive baby bottle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sensor unit comprises one of the following:

plethysmogram PPG on finger or part of the hand or the ear or other body part;

SPO2 sensor

electrical electrodes measuring ECG signal

non-galvanic capacitive electrodes

acoustical sensor with microphone

any other heart rate sensor.

4. The interactive baby bottle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the actuator unit comprises one of the following:

a plurality of vibration elements configured to generate tactile sensation of the sensed heart beat, the vibration element integrated in a teat or disposed suitably on the interactive baby bottle to transmit the sensed heart beat via the teat to the baby

one or more speakers disposed on the interactive baby bottle and configured to provide real-time auditory feedback of the sensed heart beat to the baby.

5. The interactive baby bottle as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

a memory unit configured to store the sensed heart beat; and

a delay unit configured to time-delay the sensed heart beat by a pre-determined time period and then transmit the sensed heart beat to the baby.

6. The interactive baby bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is further configured to sense at least one body parameter of the person bottle feeding the baby, the at least one body parameter being one of breathing rate, body movement, body temperature, audible sensation, tactile sensation and olfactory sensation and the actuator unit further configured to transmit the sensed body parameter to the baby.

7. The interactive baby bottle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sensor unit configured to sense the breathing rate comprises one of:

motion sensors disposed on chest or belly of the person bottle feeding the baby

stretch sensors configured to measure volume variations, the stretch sensors being disposed on chest or belly of the person feeding the baby

Ballistocardiogram

Phonocardiogram.

8. The interactive baby bottle as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a wirelessly rechargeable battery.

9. The interactive baby bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic unit is integrated into the interactive baby bottle.

10. The interactive baby bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic unit is integrated into the interactive baby bottle covering module.

11. The interactive baby bottle as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an indicator configured to indicate the physiological state of the person bottle feeding the baby.

12. The interactive baby bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is portable, the sensor unit being configured to sense the heart beat of the person carrying the sensor unit and feed it to the actuator unit, the actuator unit being configured to transmit the sensed heart beat to the baby while the baby is being bottle fed by another person.

13. The interactive baby bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is further configured to sense at least one body parameter of the baby while the baby is being bottle fed, the at least one body parameter of the baby being heart beat, breathing rate, body temperature, audible sensation, tactile sensation and olfactory sensation and the actuator unit further configured to transmit the sensed body parameter of the baby to the person bottle feeding the baby and an indicator configured to indicate the physiological state of the baby to the person bottle feeding the baby.

14. The interactive baby bottle as claimed in claim 13, wherein plethysmograph or electrodes or ECG is disposed on a teat and is configured to sense the heart beat of the baby via the lips of the baby.