Detecting body movements

• US 4,245,651 A
• Filed: 03/13/1979
• Issued: 01/20/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James K. Frost
• Original Assignee: James K. Frost
• Inventors: Frost, James K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US06/020,030
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 128/782, 128/721, 128/722, 128/773, 128/774, 340/573, 340/665-667, 340/568
• US Class Current: 600/534
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/045 Newborns, e.g. premature baby monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/06 Children, e.g. for attention deficit diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0204 of power management
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/164 the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/247 Hygienic covers, i.e. for covering the sensor or apparatus during use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1103 Detecting eye twinkling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1135 by monitoring thoracic expansion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6892 Mats
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 12/00 Accommodation for nursing, e.g. in hospitals, not covered by groups A61G1/00 - A61G11/00, e.g. trolleys for transport of medicaments or food service or tea-tables, trolleys or wagons A47B31/00; Prescription lists
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/70 with special adaptations, e.g. for safety or comfort
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/021 operated by electrical means A61M16/202 – A61M16/205 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3375 Acoustical, e.g. ultrasonic, measuring means

Abstract

An electro-mechanical transducer suitable for use in a cot or bed to detect body movements comprising a resiliently compressible assembly which emits noise while being compressed or expanded and a microphone for detecting the noise thus produced thereby to permit of the control of alarm or signal means.

The device is particularly designed to give warning of cessation of breathing movements of infants while asleep with the objective of reducing the incidence of so called "cot deaths".

Claims

1. An apnoea alarm system for use in a cot or bed to detect body movements comprising a back plate having a microphone supported thereon and projecting forwardly therefrom, a flexible cover attached to the back plate and extending in front thereof thereby to define an intervening space and a resiliently compressible packing arranged within said space, said packing comprising means, comprising a plurality of flexible sheets of material disposed generally parallel to the back plate, for emitting noise in response to being bent or crumpled, the microphone being arranged to detect the noise produced by said means to permit the control of an output means.

2. An apnoea alarm system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of sheets of resiliently compressible material are disposed generally parallel to the back plate with at least one of said sheets of resiliently compressible material being arranged between two adjacent sheets of said flexible noise emitting material.

3. An apnoea alarm system according to claim 1, further comprising a pouch in which said said back plate, said cover and said packing are enclosed, said pouch being formed of a flexible, waterproof, hygienic material.

4. An apnoea alarm system according to claim 3, wherein said pouch is secured to a blanket arranged to be positioned underneath or around the occupant of the cot or bed.

5. An apnoea alarm system according to claim 3, wherein said pouch is secured to a vest to be worn by the occupant of a cot or bed.

6. An apnoea alarm system according to claim 3, wherein said pouch is formed of P.V.C.

7. An apnoea alarm system according to claim 1, including output means comprising an output device, means for activating said output device and hold-off means controlled by the said microphone for preventing activation of said output device while sound of a predetermined intensity is being received by the microphone.

8. An apnoea alarm system according to claim 7, including delay means for preventing activation of said output device until the lapse of a predetermined period during which sound of said predetermined intensity has not been received by the microphone.

9. An apnoea alarm system according to claim 7, wherein said hold-off means comprises an electronic trigger in circuit with an inverting amplifier which has no output while the trigger is receiving an input from the microphone and vice versa, and means controlled by the output from the inverting amplifier for causing said output device to be activated.

10. An apnoea alarm system according to claim 7, wherein the inverting amplifier is connected to an output stage thereby to transmit a pulsed audio frequency signal to the latter when the inverting amplifier has an output, thereby to cause said output device to be activated.

11. An apnoea alarm system according to claim 7, including connector means for enabling means for rendering the breathing sounds audible to be connected in the circuit.

12. An apnoea alarm system according to claim 7, including a storage battery for energizing said output means, means for indicating the condition of the battery, and switch means for isolating said output means from the battery consequent upon connecting recharging means in circuit therewith.

13. An apnoea alarm system according to claim 7, wherein said output device comprises an alarm.

14. An apnoea alarm system according to claim 7, wherein said output device comprises a signal means.

15. An apnoea alarm system according to claim 7 including connector means for enabling recording means for the breathing sounds to be connected in the circuit.