Respiratory monitor and stimulus imparting device and method

• US 5,435,317 A
• Filed: 12/14/1992
• Issued: 07/25/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lesbar Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Lesbar Pty Limited
• Inventors: McMahon, Newton, Spry, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gilbert, Samuel
• Application Number:
  US07/990,612
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 128/716, 128/721, 128/722, 128/773, 84/DIG. 24, 174/50
• US Class Current: 600/534
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/113 occurring during breathing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6892 Mats
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 13/00 Indicating or recording presence, absence, or direction, of movement electric switches H01H; counting moving objects G06M7/00

Abstract

A device for detecting a respiratory dysfunction of a person located in a bed, cot, crib or the like, and imparting, in response to detection of cessation of respiratory function of the person within the bed, cot, crib or the like, a rocking motion to the bed, cot, crib or the like. The device comprises a detection unit which is provided under the mattress of the bed, cot, crib or the like, and a stimulation unit, which acts, in response to a signal from the detection unit, to impart a rocking motion to the bed, cot, crib or the like. The detection unit is embodied as a pad-like device provided under the mattress.

Claims

1. An electromechanical transducer system, the system comprising:

(a) a support device selected from the group consisting of a bed, cot, and crib, said support device including a mattress;

(b) detection means for detecting the occurrence of a predetermined condition in a person or other being, provided under said mattress of said support device, wherein said detection means includes;

a substantially rigid lower surface member;

an upper surface member provided in spaced-apart relationship from said lower surface member; and

at least one piezo-electric transducer means, provided intermediate of and operatively connected to each said surface member, for generating a signal in response to movement of said upper surface member relative to said lower surface member;

(c) a processing circuitry coupled to said detection means for processing said signal so that any lack of movement of said upper surface member relative to said lower surface member, which is indicative of respiratory dysfunction of said person or other being, is detected by said piezo-electric transducer means and processed by said processing circuitry for generation of an electrical signal indicative of said respiratory dysfunction; and

(d) stimulation means, coupled to said processing circuitry and connected to said support device for imparting, in response to said electrical signal indicative of said respiratory dysfunction, a rocking motion to said support device, wherein the entire electromechanical transducer device is arranged so as to be out of physical contact with the person or other being located in said support device and wherein said piezo-electric transducer means is connected to one of said surface members via a flexible member pivotally supported on one of said surface members, having an end portion in contact with one end of said piezo-electric transducer means and said piezo-electric transducer means is connected to another of said surface members via a rigid protrusion extending therefrom.

2. An electromechanical transducer system as claimed in claim 1, comprising a pair of said piezo-electric transducer means, respectively located at substantially edge portions of said surface members.

3. An electromechanical transducer system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said flexible member is pivotally supported in a substantially central portion thereof, with each end thereof being in contact with one of said piezo-electric transducer means.

4. An electromechanical transducer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein four of said piezo-electric transducer means are provided, each positioned along an edge portion of said upper and lower surface members and intermediate each corner of said upper and lower surface members, respectively.

5. An electromechanical transducer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stimulation means is arranged so as to provide a rocking motion to the mattress.