Infant bed and apnea alarm
First Claim
1. An infant bed and apnea alarm comprising:
- a substantially flat bed top of soft impervious sheet-like elastomeric material having a perimeter portion;
a substantially rigid frame-like member secured thereto all around said perimeter and stiffening it;
an open-top pan-like enclosure closely surrounding said perimeter and defining a substantially empty and enclosed air space below said top, andmeans supporting said top removably to said enclosure,said top being adapted to support an infant by its diaphragm-like mechanical tension without pressurization thereunder;
vent means including an exit vent and permitting moderate air flow between said air space and the atmosphere, andrespiration sensing means sensing air velocity in said vent means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hospital bed or mattress for neonatal infants with a respiration monitor and alarm to detect apnea. No sensor or other appliance is attached to the infant. The bed comprises a base or frame structure with a soft resilient membranous top or cover, e.g., of sheet rubber. The closed air space below the pan is vented to the outside as by a small hole or tube, the average air pressure inside being about atmospheric. The baby'"'"'s breathing causes slight rhythmic displacements of portions of the body, which in turn transmit small dynamic "recoil" forces proportional to acceleration to the flexible membrane on which the baby rests. The resulting diaphragm-like displacements modulate the air pressure inside. Breathing is sensed by monitoring this acoustic signal by a vented pressure microphone or by sensitive anemometer means connected to the vent. Acoustic and electrical filtering are used to discriminate against higher-frequency signals from the heart-beat and from ambient vibration. Cessation of the respiration signal for a predetermined period of time actuates an alarm.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An infant bed and apnea alarm comprising:
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a substantially flat bed top of soft impervious sheet-like elastomeric material having a perimeter portion; a substantially rigid frame-like member secured thereto all around said perimeter and stiffening it; an open-top pan-like enclosure closely surrounding said perimeter and defining a substantially empty and enclosed air space below said top, and means supporting said top removably to said enclosure, said top being adapted to support an infant by its diaphragm-like mechanical tension without pressurization thereunder; vent means including an exit vent and permitting moderate air flow between said air space and the atmosphere, and respiration sensing means sensing air velocity in said vent means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification